It's hard to argue the M-1 Garand logic; it will take down anything on 2 or 4 legs with maybe the fuss of a double-tap for a huge apex predator. As a survival weapon, with a modern adjustable gas set-up, it will eat almost any variety of .30/06 ammo...still the North American #1 hunting caliber (so, available everywhere). AFAIK (please double check!), the M-1 is legal to posses in the whole of the United States and even Canada; yes, as far I could read into the "new" Canadian gun laws, the old M-1 still gets a full-pass and even gets its over-the-5-rd limit 8 rd clips exempted by the new law as it did in the past. As an aside, M2 AP is still available for the M-1 in many places where other AP rifle ammo is banned as it enjoys a "sporting purpose" designation from ATF in .30/06 only; it is therefore even legal here in Illinois where other AP ammo is banned by state law that offers exemption to calibers/projectiles specifically designated as sporting by Dept. of the Treasury (ATF). The M-1 is a heavy rifle to tote around all day...like 11 lbs. But man...that still is the go-anywhere shoulder cannon in North America, at least for now.