There is one major decision that is life and death, for you and your family, when you are prepping for SHTF Survival. You need to select firearms for hunting and defense, both critical needs! Let's analyze what is needed, and what is the best way to fill this need.
First we need a long gun, and a hip gun, that uses the same ammunition. Both guns should have a high reliability, and a long lifespan. They should be good to hunt game with, stop a charging bear, or worse, stop a hungry looter. Everyone involved must be able to use both weapons, effectively.
Second; The ammunition should be low cost, because you will need to stock in significant quantities. Reloading can help here, but we will address that later.
This does NOT mean that other firearms will not be available, but rather these guns will be the go to guns, on the homestead.
So how do we select this magic gun set? There are as many answers, as there are calibers. The real answer will be different for each reader, as we are all different, with different individual needs. That said, here is how I solved this need for my family, and homestead.
I chose a lever action rifle (Henry Golden Boy in 357) and a Smith and Wesson 357 with a 6 inch barrel. I can run 38 special in both for very low costs, and 357 for home defense and hunting. Both firearms are proven designs, that are simple to repair if the need arises, and they handle reloads better than most automatics will. I picked this caliber because it is about as heavy as I can get my Wife to practice regularly with, when we go to the range; and it does have the needed stopping power. I keep two speed loaders with the pistol.
Personally, I prefer a bolt action 300 Win Mag, but haven't found the pistol to match yet, LOL! :)
Remember that if the practice does not happen, the security you want; will not happen either! Make sure everyone is good with ALL the firearms you intend to have; but double the practice on these two!
Now about reloading, if you are NOT reloading NOW, start ASAP! The 38 Special will allow me to cast my own ballistic points with a 6 up mold, for a permanent reloading ability. Stock and store primers, powder, and reloading gear (dies with presses etc.); and you can be armed for Many decades. With a couple of thousand 357 ballistic points in storage (the same dies work for reloads), I have the same results in both sizes. I considered standard 38 ammo as a third option, but it is expensive, and comparatively weak, so I decided against it. I figure that reloading will be a good wintertime task, especially the casting portion.
Please excuse my camera, the flash doesn't work well with the polish on the guns. :(