That is a tough one...
As others have mentioned, if two legged wolves are a concern then we are talking all modernisnche .... Smith airweight or 1911 or hipower or ...
But for fun, and not feeling underarmed,
I am still waffling betwixt
A) .54 sharps papercutter percussion business rifle + 8” remmy 1858 percussion
Or
2) Remington revolving carbine (with added tang mounted peep sight!) and 5.5” remmy 1858, both .45 cartridge conversions
Version A) is fun if playing pre 1865 buff hunter, and I have almost a dozen brass cartridges for the sharps heheheheh as well as paper
Cartridges for both....
But version 2 is a lot lighter and quicker on the reloads..... and the carbine is very accurate out to 100 yds, and so light you might question the weight of a win 73 ....
And then. I still need a large knife, a small knife, a folding knife, a belt axe or hawk, brass compass, cartridge boxes .....
Oh, and lunch! And a canteen.
And my hat
And vest
And stuff.
And then there is the perennial question: boots , brogues, or moccasins?
Yhs
Prof Marvel