I come from a background where having one gun was the norm. Having a cabinet full of guns, for the guys of my grandfather's generation, was as unthinkable as having a harem. So... if а gun is to do it all, it has to be a 12. If it has to last a lifetime, it has to be well-built. If you must use shot of different hardness, e.i. lead and steel, it has to have replacable chokes (or barrels). If a gun is to be practical afield, it has to be able to fire at least twice without reloading. And if you might be reduced to shooting very inferior ammo, e.g. reload shells for more times than they can handle, it better be a non-ejector double. Between that, and provided the stock fit, just about anything will do.