Good back packing rifle?

Buzzballer

Buzzballer

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Southern Ontario
Hey guys, iv been reading over the old posts of this forum and doing a few searches but I was hoping to draw on the knowledge of every one here.

I'm in the market for a new bush/backpack gun. Iv seriously been looking at the Henrys Mare's leg in either 44 mag or 45 long colt, or some thing else that is small enough to fit in a backpack or be easy to carry long distances.

So my question is would the Mares leg be a good firearm for bear defense and to have in the bush?

All my experience has always been with shot guns and target rifles. Iv never owned a lever action before.

Thoughts?
 
Hand rifle in 44 mag or 45 LC will be a very good companion in bear territory, they are mean little rifles... JP.
 
You can put a regular stock on the Rossi's but you will have to buy it as an extra and fit it to the gun.
A full stock is obviously easier to shoot but with practice the mare's legs aren't too hard to shoot as is.
 
Winchester Model 94 30-30. Balenced, light weight and quick follow up shots if needed. If I didn't need the firepower, I'd go with the Mares Leg (22LR). At about 2 feet long it's pretty easy to strap to, or in a pack.
 
the little mares leg is a good little gun! i would sugest you get one in 44 mag if your in bear county because you can get some pretty hot loads for the 44 mag! you can also load up 45 colt pretty hot but you have to be careful if you do that. i carry the ruger 77/44 when im backpacking, only weighs 5.5 pounds carry an extra mag with 44 spls in it and i set for game from grouse to bears!
 
I'd look pretty hard at a Rem. Model 7 in 7/08. One piece stock (particulalry in glass or laminate) is generally stronger than the two piece found on a most levers. Nothing a 30/30,44 or 45 can do that a 7/08 cant do better. They make great pack rifles and they can reach out effectively if needed. You can go 308 - but 7/08 is a little less and just as effective IMO
 
Thanks for all the responses guys! I think the biggest reason I'm leaning towards the Mare's Leg is the size and the ability to just put it in a pack with the end of the stock hanging out. So it wouldent attract to much attension.

Iv heard about some 30-30's that are fairly small as well? What's the actual stoping power difference in a hot 44mag vs a 30-30 or 77/44? Iv already got an 870 with a 12.5" barrel on it so I don't really need a hand cannon. I'd just like some thing light I can carry or pack and not have to lug another 20 lbs of gun and ammo as well as a pack and a canoe
 
Gotta watch for those dangerous Ontario black bears.

Rem 870 with a 14" pipe. Or a .45-70 guide gun if youre THAT WORRIED about blackies.

The mares leg or other pistol gripped rifles/scatterguns are aboit as useless as an arsehole on your elbow.
 
Buzzballer said:
Thanks for all the responses guys! I think the biggest reason I'm leaning towards the Mare's Leg is the size and the ability to just put it in a pack with the end of the stock hanging out. So it wouldent attract to much attension.

Iv heard about some 30-30's that are fairly small as well? What's the actual stoping power difference in a hot 44mag vs a 30-30 or 77/44? Iv already got an 870 with a 12.5" barrel on it so I don't really need a hand cannon. I'd just like some thing light I can carry or pack and not have to lug another 20 lbs of gun and ammo as well as a pack and a canoe
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not much diff from 30-30 to 44 mag out of a rifle, 30-30 has around 1700 to 1800 ft/lbs and 44 has arounf 1800 ft/lbs. a 44 spl has around 550 ft/lbs. thats out of an 18.5 in barrel. i dont know what they would have out of the mare's leg.
 
A mare's leg would be fine. I have a .357 one and I can hit a 12" gong at 100m as well with it as I can with any iron sighted rifle.

A takedown .22 would be a good choice too. I use a Stevens Trapper I have modified by cutting the fore-end off the stock, as on the Marlin Papoose. I keep the two screws and a allen key in a pouch with the bolt when I am travelling. Taken down, the rifle fits in the Givi case on my motorcycle which is much smaller than my pack. And I have even mounted a fixed 4x scope on it with zero issues of shifting zero.
 
The whitetail i took at Anticosti at 85 metres droop in is track with my Rossi hand rifle 44 mag with a 270 gr... a bear would not go much further... JP.
 
Carrying a gun for bear defence is a waste of money. If you actually see a bear that close you have done something wrong and if you can get your rifle/shotgun out in time to actually use it before being eaten I would be surprised.

That being said, if you are going to carry something you would want something that would stop a bear in it's tracks. What about a single shot 45-70? Single shots are nice and light and they usually break down like a shotgun (I think???) to fit in a pack. Other than that a 30-30 is nice all around carbine. I don't have much experience with a 44 mag, but they do seem appealing.

Good luck in your search.
 
Scott Bear said:
Carrying a gun for bear defence is a waste of money. If you actually see a bear that close you have done something wrong and if you can get your rifle/shotgun out in time to actually use it before being eaten I would be surprised.

That being said, if you are going to carry something you would want something that would stop a bear in it's tracks. What about a single shot 45-70? Single shots are nice and light and they usually break down like a shotgun (I think???) to fit in a pack. Other than that a 30-30 is nice all around carbine. I don't have much experience with a 44 mag, but they do seem appealing.

Good luck in your search.
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i disagree with your first point. if he gets the mares leg he can also get a holster to put if in. you could draw it as fast as a handgun.
 
Scott Bear said:
Carrying a gun for bear defence is a waste of money. If you actually see a bear that close you have done something wrong and if you can get your rifle/shotgun out in time to actually use it before being eaten I would be surprised.
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Sometimes, when you live in an area with thick bushes and super tall trees, and there is only one trail in and out, you need a rifle to pack around.

I carry around a CZ 858 with a side folding stock and I use the Sellier & Bellot soft tip rounds. The only thing I need to worry about is black bears, cougars, and packs of wolves. The 7.62x39 will ace every single one of them if I need to. The only thing I’ve ever had to do was fire a round into the ground. My Brother and I were trail bike riding 21km out from the closest public hwy and my brothers bike broke down shortly on are return trip. I handed him the CZ 858 and I took off to make it back to the truck. He had to fire one round so he told me, at a bear that was actually coming towards him. He said he fired into the ground and it ran off. Same thing happened to me well a friend and I were going to a trout fishing spot. The bear was blocking the trail and was heading towards us. Fired into the ground at it, and it took off. There was another time I was picking mushrooms and I had my dog with me that day and she was acting strange and growling. I looked over in the direction she was looking and there was a cougar hiding behind a fallen tree. I fired a shot at it into the ground and again and the cougar took off. I left the area right after and picked mushrooms somewhere else. Later that week, a boy at the local swim beach was attacked by a cougar. Probably the same one because we were only 10km or so from the swim beach.
 
Personally I'm alittle warry of break down rifles and shot guns for bear defense. Because of the added time to put together the firearm and actually deploy it. The beauty of a Short rifle or shot gun is you can keep it strapped on the side of your bag or holstered.. Even the Mare's leg you could keep hanging off your belt I think?

Iv been in the woods enough to know that black bears can be extreamly dangerous if only for the fact that they can be as curious as a raccoon and a lot bigger. Typically in Ontario bears don't attack for no reason but I'd rather have a firearm close to me with a few rounds to deal with any possible situation. Rabid beaver?
 
Buzzballer said:
Personally I'm alittle warry of break down rifles and shot guns for bear defense. Because of the added time to put together the firearm and actually deploy it. The beauty of a Short rifle or shot gun is you can keep it strapped on the side of your bag or holstered.. Even the Mare's leg you could keep hanging off your belt I think?

Iv been in the woods enough to know that black bears can be extreamly dangerous if only for the fact that they can be as curious as a raccoon and a lot bigger. Typically in Ontario bears don't attack for no reason but I'd rather have a firearm close to me with a few rounds to deal with any possible situation. Rabid beaver?
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i agree with you i keep my ruger close by me when in bear country.
 
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