I've gotten spoiled using the Gobi sniper rifle outdoors, even at moderately close range. But when I have to go into close quarters, I need something with one or two shot power, and there doesn't seem to be anything. I HATE unloading a magazine into a ghoul only to have him get close enough to hit me. My "GUN" skill is around 87 points I think. And even with the riot gun, I can unload it on enemies at close range without dropping them...where as the Sniper rifle is a 1 shot kill 90% of the time.

What's the most powerful short gun?

I like shotguns. Graqe for Ghouls and humans and Slugs for armoured targets. Slugs do wonders on Giant Radscorpions

I'd say Big Boomer or Sawed-of Shotgun.
those are the biggset DAM close combat guns i've come across i think.

But changing ammo can usually give a bigger BOOM on the spot.

Maybe I'll try better ammo in the 12g riot gun.

Funny enough, I can get all of the .308 ammo I think I'll ever need including hollowpoint and inceniary. But have found very little 12g ammo anywhere. I have actually currently run out. That happens when you spend 45 shells killing 3 ghouls!

Theres a great mod i recommend, that allows you to melt down unused bullets to brass, and make new casings for more wanted bullets.
Quite realistic and usefull.

Try Ranger Sequoia or Dinner Bell.

<----360 user

And I have not even attempted to make ammo at an ammo bench yet. I went once and looked at the required ingredients and said screw this, I'll just go buy it from Gun Runners.

Handloaded round is just awesome.

I say 12.7mmSMG if you can get your hands on one.....

Do you mean DMG specifically or DPS Shotguns have terrible DMG unless they are loaded with slugs, but their short range DPS is pretty good.

I would highly recommend making ammo. You can break down ammo types you don't use to get ingredients for other kinds of bullets, as well as scrap metal for more lead. There is a... not bug exactly, but stupid choice on Ob's part that requires you to drop and pick up primer boxes and jars of powder you buy in order to access the ingredients. However, Hand Loader is so good for Gun users I think you're missing out greatly by not using it (particularly as a sniper... handloaded .308 rounds have 50% higher damage than their off-the-shelf counterparts).

My indoor, low DT enemy weapon of choice is a 10mm SMG with hand loaded JHP ammo (x1.65 damage, but enemy DT is x2). Unarmored foes = chunky soup.

Ranger Sequoia is your best bet if you have the Cowboy perk. Highly accurate, fast, and very punishing.
If you use VATS for all of your close range combat, the 12.7mm SMG trumps all other CQC weapons.

Riot shotgun with slugs. Fast ROF, hits like a hammer and reloads quickly. The gun and the Shotgun Surgeon perk should be a staple in the sniper's arsenal for when allot of things get in your face.

To pass the current "Deathclaw Gold Standard" test carry around beanbag rounds. Knock it out with beanbags, switch to slugs and it'll feel like an exploit. Ammo switches happen really fast with this weapon unlike the hunting shotgun.

For short range a few guns come into mind immediately.
12.7mm SMG with silencer mod (the silencer is unnecessary but I like hearing the popping/hissing noise of silenced bullets. Great all around gun for close range. Also great for spraying and praying )
The Dinner Bell unique Hunter Shotgun. (Ive dropped cazadors like bloatflies with this thing. Warning though even with the shotgun surgeon perk shotguns in general don't work well against high DT opponents like DeathClaws unless you are using beanbag rounds which at that point your not aiming to do damage anyway.)
Ranger Sequoia rare Hunter Revolver (This thing is a a freaking arm cannon. Ive blasted Giant Rad Scorpions several feet away with one shot with this thing. Heads up though the ammo for this gun is hard as HELL to come by. If you will want to conserve and recycle ammo for this gun with Hand Loader perk and get hand loaded rounds)
This Machine unique Hunter Rifle (Great for shot-mid to mid-range fighting. I personally don't use this gun because I think its overpowered so I leave it in my gun locker back in the Lucky 38)

Hunting shotgun or Riot are great damage I usally one hit thing close with a hunting shotgun

Light machine gun - good for when stuff gets in your face like cazadores. Better than shotguns because if you miss with a shotgun you're f*cked for reloading.

Riot shotgun on lower armored enemies, this machine or plasmacaster on higher armor enemies.

12.7mm smg, kinda hard to find though.

It has decent damage and extremely high DPS... small clip but the reload time isn't too bad. I found it can cut through short range targets like a hot knife through butter.

-Requiem for the Fallen
-Dog Tag Fists
-Paladin Toaster
-Bumper Sword
-Shishkebab
-Rebar Club
-Cattle prod, gives stun and KO!
-Oh Baby!

I love using the Anti-Material Rifle at close range.

As I always say, sniper rifles have two ranges, extremely long and extremely close.

If you can afford to keep it stocked with ammo, the AMR is a must for any range, especially with incendiary rounds. Those are too much fun.

The LMG has a fairly high DPS, and with it's crappy accuracy it will excel at CQB.