sorry, but the "best hunting rifle" is not likely, at all, to hack it. How many can handle both small and large game, and defensive shooting as well? How many are concealable in a backpack, so that you can hitch a ride?
HOw many are easily taken down and cleaned in the field? How many have a flashhider, so your night adapted vision isn't gone with the first shot, and so that the rifling ends are protected? How many hunting rifles have return to zero scope bases, see thru scope mounts, luminous sight inserts,iron sights that are protected from breakage by being dropped, struck while climbing/rappelling, etc?
All can handle small and large game when one loads some small game loads. I shoot grouse, squirrels and bunnies with 30-30, 348 and 45-70 just fine.
Defensive from what? Most decent hunting rifles are in better calibers for shooting anything you'd need to protect yourself from in "wilderness" than "defensive" rifles (I'm making the wild assumption that that's what your post implied) Most sporters in serious calibers are also easier to carry, lighter than similar caliber self loaders. My impression of every self loader I've carried (other than a Car-15) was that they were clunky, bulky, awkward to carry things compared to sporters. Maybe I was doing it wrong. I mostly carry a rifle in hand when out in the hills. The Car-15 was still bulkier than a Winchester 94, despite being short and light, and not nearly as handy to carry over time. The 94 is also chambered in a better round for general field use and hunting. Short, like the Car-15, or a folder AK does not automatically translate into handy or not bulky. The short, light bolt guns are likely the best general purpose field guns, with the levers not far behind, with the levers perhaps coming out ahead for a summer carry gun where more carry than shooting is the general rule.
All I've had can be simply cleaned in the field. No need to take most aprt for any reason, but the bolt comes out of a bolt action pretty easily. Never had the need or desire to take a Winchester apart in the field, they are easy toc lean by simply opening the action. Nothing to lose that way either.
Anywhere there's much in the way or wilderness shouldnt present much problem catching a ride with a long gun. I may be spoiled where I live tho. If you're catchinga ride, the "survival" part is pretty well past.
If you're shooting after dark, a light helps quite a lot. Never cared for muzzle widgets of any sort. Most make the muzzle blast far worse, which to me is a far more serious detriment than a muzzle flash. The crown on a barrel is intended to protect the muzzle. I've carried rifles in all sort of wild country for many years and never had a serious issue with the muzzle getting seriously damaged.
Some return scopes to zero alright, but I rarely ever take the scope off. If I do, its because it was damaged, and I'll take it off and use the irons. Scopes add a LOT of useful shooting time in the morning and evening, and moonlight, and regardless of how well one can shoot on black bullseye targets with irons, glass is far easier to hit with on animals in the field under various conditions. I'm happy with the glass on for the most part. I suppose if one really wanted detachable glass, there are mounts available that should accomplish that goal, regardless of action type.
Rapelling? No, I guess most sporters sights aren't that well adapted to rapelling. You got me there. That activity isn't part of my wilderness outdoors experience, so its pretty far down the list of priorities for me.
