Pack rifle thoughts

T

TacticalCanuck

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SW Ontario
Hey CGN

Looking for a good pack gun that will fit in my back pack and be a reliable performer and super fast to to get into firing mode when needed.

The obvious choices are Henry survival ruger take down and the badger.

I am leaning towards the ruger but as due diligence would like to hear from people who own any or all of the most notable pack rifles including ones I've not considered why they value them and anything else that may not be a consideration. Experienced packers please advise!

The take down ruger seems to be available and best for fast follow up shots if needed but the badger would be faster for the first shot. A magnum badger may be good as well but it would be bad to lose edible meat to devastating fire power.
 
Please define "when needed" If fire power is required, you need a larger caliber. A .22 Mare's leg or a. 44 Ranch hand, easy carry, instant ready.
 
Measure your pack first, an 18.5" barrel can be tough to stuff in some packs. The shorter barreled options may work better. Just remember that anything in your pack will not be quick to get to. That idea just doesn't work in reality.
 
I quite like my AAC H&R Handi Rifle in 300 Blackout. It's quite compact with it's 16.5" barrel and now I just need to get something like a small red dot sight, maybe the trijicon RDS or the burris fastfire, to minimize the size.
With 300blk will hit hard enough and far enough for my uses without unnecessary space.

But, that doesn't really help with choosing a rimfire gun. Have you considered a Ruger 10/22 takedown?
 
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The Browning .22 auto is one of the slickest takedown rifles ever designed. Lightweight and sleek, the action is perfectly proportioned for the .22 cartridge. Push the lock button forward, hold the bolt back 1/2", a 90-degree twist takes the barrel off, and then the action itself can be field stripped in a couple of seconds. Bloody ingenious design.
 
Some good suggestions and mares leg made the consideration list. Ya it's not life or death it's nature walks where opportunity can be maximized with some small in season game but the hunt isn't the focus. I always seem to spot small game when I'm out for enjoyment and wishing I had a lil sumthin with me. A ruger single six would be ideal but we know that's not a legal option.
 
Not sure if Ontario has a min barrel length like in bc, but what about a grizzly 8.5 (or 12 if the barrel has to be a certain length) and carry it broken down? Tons of ammo choices for many types of game too...
 
Depends on what your purpose is really...

For some it might be a single shot break action, for others it may be a lever action- take down rifle...

9 times out of 10 for me, it would be a .223 or .308 semi with a mid length barrel and a folding stock to fit in a decent sized backpack with a few mags and other stuff for whatever trip I was on.
 
I went with a Henry ar7. I like that they float (at least when in the stock) and it seems as though with a bit of experience you could assemble one in under a minute. I didn't get to experience all my options before this purchase however. 3 mags may be stored in the stock as well which I thought was a plus though I haven't confirmed that with loaded mags in the firearm. I'm fairly happy with mine so far.
 
If you have the room I would recommend a 1022 takedown. Maybe add some tech sights. It sounds like you just want something for small game that fits in a small space. The little badger would be next if the ruger won't fit. I had the browning sa22 and I didn't like shooting it, same with the ar7. An 8" 1022 build might be ok if you want things in one piece all the time but they are loud. If you need more punch then a 44 ranch hand with light and heavy loads for small and larger game. I added a little LOP to mine and now it feels more like a kid sized rifle and it's easier to shoot accurately now.
 
The score so far

10/22 x 2
AR7 x 1
Badger 1
Mares Leg x 2
SU-22 x 1
Browning take down x 1
Grizzly x 1

A .223 is too much fire power for my purposes but there are some great options in that calibre so thanks for that suggestion. As a true survival rifle i'd much rather have something like that.

Hell make a vote! I have this issue with impulse buying and most of the time we know how that works out - we fill the safe and don't use em. I like the compact idea of the AR7 but I think by the time I get it all fumbled through assembly I'll just be putting it away. IT's a great option, but I see it's utilization more in the line of long term storage and emergency use from the practical side, plinking and fun on the other side.

I have a 12.5 grizzly (LOVE IT BTW, it put a few rabbits in the pot this winter) it weighs way to much, but the shot versatility is there.

THe mares leg was an excellent suggestion, just tucked down the side of the pack, if packed right it should just slide right out. Henry makes a nice .22 version and it has been on my want list for a while.

Funny how the badger I thought it would be tops to a few, they seem to have a little cult following. I really like them thats for certain, but they would require me to take my pack off and open a flap (which may be ok if your quiet and smooth enough). Loading well that could be smooth too and they are half the price of the mares leg....

I really enjoy bush walks and I've gone on several where we intended to take some game and have a fire and prepare it there. Nothing. Other times we go just to get out and we see tons of game! I want something I'm not carrying and remains hidden unless required.

I may still consider the badger I need to put one in my hands and bring my pack to see how it fits with the other little doo dads i like to have. Follow up shots could be fast enough with the spare rounds in the stock. Anyone use one like this? Dual purpose it to training my son and daughter as well (though I have a couple of single shot cooeys for that)
 
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I think you're after a 22LR, there's no question: With the availability of 22LR CCI Quiets through Velocitors, you've got a huge range of effective ammunition. I personally think the takedown options (10/22, AR7, Browning / Norinco clone) are better suited to being packed in pieces, and carried while assembled.

I really like the Mare's Leg concept, as all of the other options are really much less convenient (either stowed "deeper" in the pack, or require assembly). If it's always ready to go, you're much more likely to make use of it, I think. You can get a cheap nylon scabbard to stow it in inside your pack, and it will be very easily accessed and re-stowed.

But some people just cannot get over the cut-down stock. I think they're just fine once you get used to them. I have one in 45 Colt, and I love it to bits. They're quite accurate when fired from a cheek weld. Less accurate than a full-stock rifle, and more accurate than a pistol. A fair compromise. See if you can handle one before you buy, though. I was not amazed by the finish, but for a utility tool, it's more than adequate.

One other option I think you should consider is a 10/22 with a folding stock. A little longer and heavier than the Mare's Leg, but very very versatile. Or if you've got the budget, a fixed stock 10/22 with a super short barrel (no minimum barrel length on rimfire). Both of these you could get down around 26" OAL, and the 10/22 is an excellent and thoroughly-proven design. FWIW, I would definitely take one of these over a lever action in terms of mechanical reliability and field maintainability (if that's a factor).
 
What about a different pack, I have a pack that has riggings on the back that allows for a rifle or bow to be attached, having said that I am fan of the folders and packers, and have a few, one I like is that Norc Trapper copy its a short barreled bolt action .22 with a 10 rd mag.
 
I'm going to put my vote on the Badger - partly because that's the one I have and I'm biased that way.

It's just so light and small. But at the same time has a "full length" (kinda sorta) stock that's easier to shoulder than you would think by looking at it. Was practising (ok, f@cking around) with it yesterday, and it's fairly easy to get quick with reloads. The off the shelf sights (peep sights) are better than the post and notch sights that come with the others (I have a 10/22 carbine, and the first thing I did was flip down the rear notch site, put the rail on the receiver, and added a red dot. The rear sight on the Ruger has a thoroughly well deserved reputation for being crappy, and prone to wiggling loose - which I've seen happen on a number of friend's 10/22 after a fairly mild day's plinking).

With a bit of practice, easy to be gopher accurate standing, off the shoulder shooting, out past 25 yards.

Badger downside (just to be fair).

Loud. I dunno of it's the barrel length or what, but it has a significantly sharper "Crack!" than my other .22s

Cannot be dry-fired, ever, without at least an empty shell in the chamber or a snap cap. About the only modern .22 I know of where this is the case. The firing pin contacts the chamber wall, and the hammer hits HARD. Makes for very reliable shooting (no light strikes), but the downside is that even doing it once will mar the chamber wall to the point where loading a shell will either be impossible, or it will score the crap out of the bullet as you push it in. A bit of scraping with the tip of your knife will remove the bur protruding into the chamber, but you're not going to want to be doing this often. (Ask me how I know :p )

The 4 sided weaver rail forend sucks hard. For the odd shot here and there, not bad I guess. But if you're going to spend some time shooting it, get some rail covers otherwise it will start to chew up you hand.

In spite of the downsides, I love my LB. It's just so lightweight and small it disappears in even a daypack. Pretty accurate for what it is (not a bench rest shooter, but good enough to bag a squirrel or rabbit). So dirt simple it's got that "nothing to go wrong with it so it will always be reliable" factor.
 
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unicorn gravedigger said:
What about a different pack, I have a pack that has riggings on the back that allows for a rifle or bow to be attached, having said that I am fan of the folders and packers, and have a few, one I like is that Norc Trapper copy its a short barreled bolt action .22 with a 10 rd mag.
Click to expand...

This is what I would suggest, put a light, maybe aluminum barrel on a 10/22 and strap it in, quick detach a couple clips and your ready to go.
 
I have an axiom stock and tactical solutions barrel on my 10/22.
With a trs-25 and a 25 round mag its 3.7 lbs.
The axiom stock is adjustable and the barrel is 16"
Its a light small package. I did have a dlask 8" barrel and it was around 24" so restricted
 
Having tried a few backpackers, I would recommend a full-stocked, short barrel unit: my Mare's Leg was a slick little shooter, yet near impossible to get consistent groups without being able to shoulder, except off of bags from the bench; not ideal if you need to get a shot off quickly on a small target. Plus, they can be finicky with hollow points. I'd vote NO.

If .22 for food is the plan, it seems to boil down to weight vs. capacity:

-The only mark against Little Badger is being a single shot. Other than that, it is almost the lightest you will find out there, very accurate, decent trigger, and will fire anything you can feed it.

-There are a few ways to make a short 10/22, aside from buying a takedown; personally, I want a compact rifle ready to fire at all times, with no assembly required in the field. If you are going (1) gun only, I'd vote NO on the Takedown (or Henry Survial for that matter).
Folding stocks with OE barrels work well enough, don't have the ammo issues of aftermarket bull barrels, and no weight penalty. For an OE stock (like CRR), Dlask has made some nice sporter taper barrels, say 12.5" (you can go as short as a 10" barrel on an OE stock to keep it NR, but most are heavier bull barrels).

If 12ga for wildlife protection is the plan:

I also have a DA 12.5", and also like it a lot. The 8.5 Grizzly can be made to hold (3) 2.75" in the tube with little modification, and you'd have the flexibility of loading slugs, bear bangers, or even flares for emergencies.

There is something to be said for having both, other than the weight issue. Carrying an 8.5" Grizz for wildlife protection on a single-point sling, or attached to the pack in a breacher scabbard like below, and having a skeleton rifle like the Henry Survival or Badger disassembled in the pack for critter shots.


Voodoo_Breacher_2.jpg
 
I don't know. I just got a Little Badger and for now, the novelty factor has it seeing some use...even though I could be using anything else. I enjoy it more than I thought I would to be honest, and am planning on a cheap little red dot for it. The sights are perfectly serviceable, but if I was relying on it for putting food in my belly..I'd be worried about my limited experience with them. I THINK if I imagined myself carrying it dozens of times and never needing it..I'd get the Badger. If I knew in the back of mind that every backpacking session will involve some shooting (hunting or fun) I'd want something that maybe provides a more civilized experience. I'd take my Norinco JW15A Backpacker. It has a low power, compact, vintage Bushnell scope and is very accurate.

On a side note~the dealer where I bought my Little Badger did the paracord thing with his, BUT, weaved a braid (like one of those survival bracelets) with a clip on the end. I assume that's so he can clip it to his pack, but it made sense to me.

Bottom line~I think there is a huge difference between a pack gun for "just in case" situations, and just a compact gun. I personally wouldn't want to rely on a semi~too many parts, can foul easily, and not as easy to strip in the field if there is a malfunction. My Norinco has been rained on, snowed, on, dropped IN the snow, sub zero temps...you name it~just keeps on running.
 
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