Pack rifle thoughts

Yukoner89 said:
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.
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Of the options you posted originally, I would go ar-7 as well. It does float, broken down or put together (but put together, it floats and the action, etc is underwater - but it floats), and you will never find an easier to pack rifle. It is quite small when broken down, and when it is, there are no edges or catchy parts, it is just a single piece of smooth plastic, so I like that even in a pack that is already full, you can just shove it in down one of the sides no problem.

You can re-assemble it in well under a minute, but that said, it is the slowest takedown .22 I've handed to get to a point of shooting. There are a few parts, and the go together a certain way. It's very easy, but most takedown rifles are just barrel + action/stock. The ar-7 is stock + action + barrel, all seperate.

Confirmed, you can have it all broken down and packed up with 3 loaded mags: one each in the dedicated mag wells, and you can pack the action with a loaded mag in it. It only comes with 2, so you would need to buy a 3rd seperate.
 
For an extended trip where hunting is expected I'd take my 10/22 takedown, but for just a bush walk I'd go with the LB.

I removed the bottom rail from the Badger and it folds quite a bit better this way. I can easily stuff it in my cycling backpack. The thing is just tiny. Ergonomics are not perfect, but paracord wrap helps a bit.

Another alternative might be (since you are in Ontario) a .22 caliber air pistol. Legal for small game hunting in ON, and the better ones will take a rabbit at 20 yards. You could even carry it in a holster. A decent air pistol might be more expensive than the Badger thou.
 
I was in the same position as you. I wanted a nice lite, compact, readily shootable 22 rifle. So shopping I went! Well, years later, I have all the 22 rifles mentioned so far (yes I know I'm a true gun nut! and no, none of them are for sale! LOL) The one I take the most now is the Little Badger. Like your original post, I wanted something that didn't have to be assembled. So the Ruger, Ar7, and Browning where out. I loved my JW15a. It is accurate and short enough to strap on the outside of the pack. Thus, it was easy to grab and ready to go in a sec. Then along came the Little Badger. Yes, some say its goofy looking. But I find it is really useable. It is ready for action very quickly. Ammo is stored on the stock itself. The sights are just fine for grouse and rabbits. It is lite, and compact. I used to carry it in the bag that it came with. But like someone mentioned, I was worried about the noise when I opened the case to get the rifle. So now, I just strap it to the outside of my pack, and its ready to go as soon as I need it. So my vote is for the Little Badger. All the other firearms mentioned would work too, but I still grab my LB when I head out. Hope this helps you make a decision. And by all means, please let us know which way you went! Good shooting, Toni.
 
I got my hands on one of those Bagers, I was shooting some CBs thru it at like 25yrds, I went to check if I even hit the 2x4 that I was plinking on, well I hit it.,,,, And I was so surprised to see such a tight group, but even with CBs it was a little loud,
 
I picked up a Little Badger a couple weeks ago and I am quite surprised with the accuracy of the little beast! It is super light, very easy to pack and more than accurate enough at 30 - 40 yards for small game hunting. If you go with one be sure to try a few different types of ammo; mine hates Winchester, but loves the CCI mini mags.
 
Wow look at the badger takes the lead here! I had one in my hands yesterday and I have to say it was pretty much everything I thought what I need should be. Dual purpose it for wildlife protection and all of a sudden the 300+ footpound WMR version starts to look good. The issue then becomes the cartridge is too powerful for smaller game as there will be significant loss of edible meat.

In a perfect world the single six once again comes to mind but I need to get it out of there.

So now I must thank everyone for excellent suggestions there is some good information here. The norinco and mares leg are now in the short list but I think the cost size and purpose of the badger it is taking the lead. I think now I'm starting to debate between the .22 and .22 mag version. If I'm out to do shooting for fun I am gonna take my Henry h001 or 10/22 or a few other options I have.

What I need to decide I think now is between the mag or non mag versions of the badger. Anyone use the mag version for small game?
 
Have you consider a standard rifle and modified pack. May I suggest the Kifaru gun bearer from Kifaru.net. Nylon webbing that attaches to your pack to carry your rifle in a forward quick release manner.
 
The savage rascal. I have one. Light, accurate, excellent all steel adjustable peep sight, good trigger. Yes it's a child's rifle. If the badger wasn't made of pot metal and plastic it would be most excellent.
 
i have a little badger and love it.
i picked it up to put on the quad so i dont have to pull out the old .308 all the time to pop squirrels.
i have to disagree with one comment up top, one fella said it was the loudest 22 ever fired and i am the exact opposite, i dont wear 'ears' when shooting it and all i hear is it hitting the target.
its small and compact and i just toss it in the compartment on my quad.
i did want some optics for it as my eyes are getting old, but i didnt want anything that required batteries as i know they will be dead when i need them, so i dug out one of my very first scopes, a old 22 bushnell banner that is nice and small and put it on a quick release base and i have that on it and that just makes it perfect for popping critters when im out hunting of trail riding on my quad.

i wouldnt wanna use it for anything more then that.
when i go hiking with the family i take my mossberg JIC in a back scabbard with double odd in it.

i have been wanting to pick up a ruger take down, but thats just because im a 10/22 fanboy, and i WILL pick one up here eventually just to add to my collection of rugers.

and i must admit, i have been tossing around the idea of a Henry survival one for my boat but realistically i dont take my boat off the beaten path where i would need a firearm living in it permanently.
 
Lol isnt your 3+ 10/22s smaller than your badger? Im guessing that you dont fold your badger on the atv.
I like your 10/22s alot more. Single shot for gophers is sorta slow, isnt it? Plus if you miss or dont het a kill shot, wouldnt it be nice to have a follow up shot. The ar7 does nicely but isnt fast to unpack and shoot.
A modded 10/22 or ruger amarican would be my choice other than a su22
 
little_airwolf said:
Lol isnt your 3+ 10/22s smaller than your badger? Im guessing that you dont fold your badger on the atv.
I like your 10/22s alot more. Single shot for gophers is sorta slow, isnt it? Plus if you miss or dont het a kill shot, wouldnt it be nice to have a follow up shot. The ar7 does nicely but isnt fast to unpack and shoot.
A modded 10/22 or ruger amarican would be my choice other than a su22
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yes i have it folded, i usually pack it in the front compartment of my Polaris, it has one of those built in front compartment.
the gun boot is for my hunting gun.
to take one of the rugers i would have to either have it lashed down on the back getting all muddy or get a 2nd gun boot.

i actually have a pic from a trip we did last spring.
you will note the gun boot, have my Ruger Scout in there.
under the gas cans in the front of the quad that is a compartment that tilts forward, so from the seat you can undo it, tilt it with all the stuff on the front rack forward and access the compartment, if you look at the pic you can actually see the 2 big hinges on the front of the quad where the front rack pivots open on.
keeps it clean and dry as that compartment is sealed.

fishing6.jpg
 
i love my LB and wouldnt trade it for any of the others. I vote hell no on any semi autos. The noise of the LB over others is not noticeable at all IMO
 
little_airwolf said:
If you were shooting gophers, which would you have, semi auto, bolt action or single shot?
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Different use case than for a pack rifle.

But, FWIW, me, I'll take my CZ bolt any day, all day, for shooting gophers. Shoot less, hit more.

For a pack rifle, I'll take my LB. It's accurate enough to bag a meal if you really need to, and the fact it's so lightweight wins the day. For me, the use case is a "get home rifle" - lost in the woods, what rifle is going to buy me the most extra calories (and endurance) for the least amount of weight? A dozen rounds of .22 out of a LB will buy me at least a week worth of extra protein. Add in a 50 or 100 round box of shells on top, and there aren't many places I couldn't walk out of... Or better yet, stay put until help arrives.
 
little_airwolf said:
Wow hardcore.
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I am anything but hardcore. I'm a wimp. But a realist wimp.

I can skin and cook a squirrel if I really have to. But, I've actually tried squirrel and... I would really, really have to. It's just peace of mind knowing you have it.

Basically, if I'm backpacking, I'm not shooting. I don't do random plinking in the woods. I take my food in, and garbage out. Too old to spend more than a night or two out anymore.

But people get lost on day hikes. Being cocky is saying "I'm too good/smart/experienced for that." *shrug* It happens, even to the good/smart/experienced. I've gotten back to my car at the end of a day hike of 4 or 5k with a staggering headache and realized "Ooops, dehydrated. Forgot to drink enough water" when I had my water bottle on me the whole time, was just so wrapped up in my head and the scenery that I forgot to take a semi regular chug of water in 30 degree heat. Sounds stupid, and it is, and I know better, but little things like that have caught a lot of people and put them in bad places. Get a little dehydrated, a little overheated, and suddenly, you can't remember which fork you took on that deer trail on the way out to where you are, and you're wandering in circles. When you realize that, it's time to sit down, rest, drink some water (if you have it, get some if you don't), and really just try and think yourself out of the situation. The mere fact of having a pack rifle is a re-assurance, will help to calm you and make better decisions, and reduce the odds you'll actually need it.

The older I get, the more I have backups for my backups. I practice plinking with my LB, and occasionally tag the odd gopher, because not much point in carrying a rifle you don't know how to shoot well and know what its limits are/your limits are with it.

If I really want to work over the gophers, the LB isn't my first, second, or even 3rd choice. That's not what it's designed for.
 
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