Need the minimum assortment of chamberings to fill every reasonable niche . . .

[horsey300]

Hey, how's the Maine winter so far? I miss a lot of things about Northern New England, but snow removal and #2 heating oil are not among them.

A .44 mag handgun is next on my to buy list. The 1894 needs a little brother.

For a smaller bore, longer range round, I periodically consider the .22-250. It can be easily loaded down to .223 levels for increased barrel and throat longevity, but loaded to full potential with a really good bullet, it would be adequate for the relatively small deer out here on the off chance I get to hunt. Unless I was sure I was going hunt deer every year, I wouldn't want to spend the money on an '06 class rifle only to have it sit in the safe 90 percent of the time.

.223 uses less powder brass is cheap and plentiful, can be found standard in faster twists allowing more variety of weights useable. I use both the .223 and the .-250, the latter collects more dust and the .223 is a single shot. If you want more speed, pick up more REAL versatility and get a .243. Still fairly affordable whether factory or handloads (but much cheaper hand loaded) and you can make brass out of .308. .44 Mag revolver but also the .357. .260 rem or 7-08 (highly favoring the .260) brass can be made out of .308 if necessary and with the right bullets and shot placement you'll need not worry about elk. 6.5-284 Norma will extend your range, if you really think you need it. With your .44 20GA and a .223/243 and a .264/.284(6.5/7mm) there is nothing I can think of on this continent that you couldn't kill. If you WANT more, then YOU should decide just how MUCH more you want.

 

[DownInTheDark]

I keep 9mm, 38 special/357 mag, 357 sig, 10mm, 44 mag, 45 acp, 460 Rowland, 223, 270, 308, 30-30, 7.62x39, 35 Whelen, and 45-70 components on hand. Good thing I haven't taken a date home in a while, that's my living room.

 

[Dragon breath]

Buy a 44 magnum revolver. With all of the different loads available between 44 special and magnum, it can cover a lot of different uses.
Beyond that, pick a high powered rifle caliber. I would personally go with either .308 or 30-06.