TCW,
I think it's important to decide *where* you might need to use such a rifle. I live in El Lay, and I can't really see how an M1 would fit into my defensive scheme (that doesn't mean I wouldn't LOVE to own one!).
Medium range for me, in the city, is gonna measure out a lot different than it does for my pal up on the ranch in Mendocino County. Unless I stand in the middle of the street and fire down the block, there's no way that any shot I take will be longer than, say, 75m. And that's stretching it...
So limiting myself to 75m shots, which is really short range for a shoulder fired weapon, I'd say the largest accurate projectile available is a .60 slug, fired from a 12 gauge shotgun. I've practiced enough with 'em to know that they're effective and more accurate at that range than the operator is.
Or, as mentioned above, a lever action carbine remains a versatile weapon. Like a good shotgun, they are durable, dependable, and much less conspicuous than a "military" style weapon. .357 and .44 are good choices, certain "studies" have shown that revolver ammo continues to accelerate when fired from longer bbls, so those are good options. I like the short barreled Marlins. Gabe Suarez recommends the 30-30 as a gun to be carried in the trunk of a vehicle; but he is able to do that legally. And then of course there's the 45-70, one helluva big cartridge, also available in 1894-style rifles.
Hope this helps,
--
Brian
[This message has been edited by brionic (edited June 05, 2000).]