A .308 precision bolt action rifle with a good scope: You need a precise rifle for those long range hunting situations and to practice marksmanship and 308 is easy to reload, relatively cheap and easy to find components and factory ammo, you have the bulk stuff as well unlike other calibers (as a last resort).
A 10/22: cheap and plentiful ammo (usually)
A pump action quality 12g shotgun: shotguns are versatile and reloading is easy.
A M1A with iron sights or a red dot: a more rugged less precise but semi auto version of the first rifle capable of shorter range hunting. Can take a beating.
Finally, and probably one that only I will put on the list is a flintlock rifle, like the lyman great plains hunter, I have one that's customized with better precision micrometer sights, deer slayer trigger and custom lock, You don't need a license for this rifle, the bullets are either roundball or cast from soft lead, and quality black powder is easy to make with easily found materials if ever you need to make it, you will never run out of ammo. However, they are horribly unreliable if you have little experience with them, horribly, you gotta keep your powder dry, your flint sharp and tight! But if you practice and learn they are quite good. Plus I think it's a gorgeous rifle.
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