I do pretty well at long-range sniping so I can usually pick off one or two bad-guys pretty easily.

Where I have trouble is when they start to overrun my position. Especially when they're fast moving and dodging sideways.

Light Machine Gun?

12.7 SMG?

.45 SMG?

Shotgun?

Not a big problem if I have someone like Veronica or Lily around to act as a "bodyguard" but I don't like to have to depend on them.

Or should I just switch to melee when they get within a certain range?

My courier has very high guns skill but can hold his own in melee if need be.

Riot Shotgun if you have the shotgun perks.

Otherwise I like the LMG with the extended magazine. SPRAY & PRAY!1!

Big Boomer is good at close range.(shotgun)

Ever tried using Magnum Revolvers ?

The Tri Beam laser rifle is very powerfull (on full condition)

For melee i can reccomend 'Pushy' or Knock Knock.

There's far too many weapons to suggest.

10mm SMG is a good fallback, ammo is common and it does decent damage. I wouldn't exactly rely on it too much against bigger, badder foes.

Assault Carbine is a very, very good weapon, but it's high maintenance and costly to upkeep. 5mm can be bought in very large quantities however.

If you have the shotgun perks, Hunting or Riot is the way to go.

Lucky is great if you have a crit build, but you have to make shots count and have a decent reload speed.

12.7mm SMG is hit or miss. You can get a good performance out of it, but 12.7mm isn't easy to find and it isn't cheap.

An LMG with is a very good weapon, but you're gonna have to keep it fed with 5.56mm, which is easier said than done.

short: go with industrial hand. Dont need any points in unamerd, is that powerfull. Start with a defense, in case of deathclaws.

Medium: you have grunt? Joshua 45. You have cowboy? Lucky. Use the vats. For a spray and pray pick the submachine gun 45. with mods. Riot shotgun is CRAZY with And Stay Back perk. In fact, its broken.

Should I be using V.A.T.S. more? I almost never use it.

I only use it agains fast enemies like cazadores and deathclaws

I only use VATS when there are hordes at close quarters.

I never use energy weapons, so- all things considered- such as weight, rate of fire, reload time, I like the modded assault rifle (with AP rounds when possible) for medium range engagements. I've had a lot of luck with the riot shotgun for close encounters. The two perks "And Stay Back" and "Shotgun Surgeon" are a big help with the latter weapon. I second CCNA on when I use VATS.

As mentioned, there's far too many weapons to really give you any firm answers. It all boils down to personal preference. My line up includes a Service Rifle/Marksman Carbine for medium range and a Hunting Shotgun for close up shots, using slugs instead of the regular ammo. As for VATS, I never use it all. In fact I have it turned off in both this game and Fallout 3. You can play each of them just fine without it.

Don't use a shotgun in VATS, I think you lose a lot of critical hit chances that way. With buckshot anyway.

Survivalist's Rifle? Only 10 rounds in the magazine, but it takes most enemies down without fuss.