I am getting out of the military, and when I get out I will be taking a trip from WA, to CA, to CO, to TX, to GA, to ME. It is going to take years, and through the course of this trip I will obviously need a weapon, as a good majority of the hike will be in the wilderness, and other sparsely populated areas. The concerns of law do not concern me, as I follow no mans law but my own. I don't have time to listen to these so called laws put forth by a bunch of old wind bags who think they know whats best for me and everyone else. I am a very capable woods man, trained survivalist and tracker, been doing the stuff sense I was a kid, as well as obtaining certification in wilderness survival and tracking. But I am torn on one thing, what weapon I should obtain? I have never gone on a journey of this magnitude. I know it will be a rifle, that's obvious, but there are many underline variables to look at here. I will need a rifle with a small enough round so as when hunting small game, I don not blow it into mulch. But it must also be large enough to stop large predators, i.e. bears, and cougars. As well as drop larger game, i.e deer, and elk. As you can tell this is more complicated than just "picking a gun". Weight will be another issue of concern, as one man can only carry so much. I am thinking a bolt action rifle, though I myself prefer semi auto. After re-reading it is hardly about the actual weapon its self but more so, what caliber of ammunition I should choose. Any help from a knowledgeable source will be greatly appreciated.