as far as versatile, a shotgun can do a whole lot..are you fighting for your life? like being attacked by moose and bear, or lions...you might want somethin different..but shoty does bird - deer -bear...and the wabbits and stuff , and with proper ammo comes less damage. imo bulky..yeah, but you are in the wild, you'll need shelter, can leave em there and take a handfull of different loads when ya go hunting.