inb4 there is no such thing as too much firepower

So I'm on my 2nd playthrough (1st was a story rush NCR side), and here's my current list:

Slot 1 - 9mm Pistol ++, Ext. Mags and Scope
Slot 3 - Varmint Rifle +++, All upgrades (night scope, ext. mags, and silencer)
Slot 4 - Hunting Rifle +, Scope
Slot 5 - Trail Carbine +, Scope

Before you ask, yes, this is a sniper build with minimum VATS usage. So does anyone think this is overkill?

I'm actually trying to replace my Hunting Rifle with the Sniper Rifle so I get the scope zoom + silencer. Also, I do need suggestions on a rapid-fire weapon with decent DAM for close-range armored-target killing. I seriously thought the 9mm SMG was awesome, till I got into the Hoover Dam defense, and Legion soldiers shrugging it off. I had to no-scope them with my Sniper Rifle .__.

Oh, I almost forgot... is it just me or are shotguns horribly underpowered now? I swear, I get killed in CQB more often now against most armored targets with a shotgun than with a higher DAM, low capacity weapon.

This sounds like a lot of fun.

Shotguns are awesome with the shotgun specific perk. I didn't use them much before so i can't say for sure whether they are underpowered by default.

For a better automatic weapon you could try the 10mm SMG which has slightly more punch then the 9mm or the LMG which MIGHT have more power (i hav'nt gotten one yet so i'm guessing here).

Shotguns really don't have the DAM needed to punch though most armor so if you plan to use them often you'd need to use their version of AP ammo (if they have one) and take the shotgun surgeon perk which lowers enemy DT by 10 when you hit them with a shotgun.

Im only on my first play through, im not rushing the game atm, im 18 hours in and havent been to the strip yet just freeside. I tend to agree shotguns are horribly underpowerd. I get killed alot trying to use them, so i tend to never use it lol. I dont like the 357 magnum either, i prefer the 9mm pistol for some reason

The reason I took the 9mm SMG is for the drum mag. The LMG, it was okay, but I don't like it sharing ammo with my Varmint Rifle right now. I know there's a 12mm SMG but I never found one.

I'll probably try the 10mm SMG since it's got mods for reduced spread. Still open to ideas, though.

I dont think they have one, but i do know im real life slugs are pretty damn nasty. I would say thats sorta the Armor pen type.

Or maybe, if they do enough raw DAM, it should be enough to kill some armored targets.

Thats how it works your weapons DAM needs to be higher then your enemies DT or you won't do jack squat to them other then make em mad, so shotguns without special ammo and the perk ar'nt good for much more then unarmored enemies.