Shortest and lightest small game rifle that can leagally be carried when hunting.

M

mountain_hunter

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Location
Vancouver BC
Hi this is my introduction post. I have been thinking lately to buy a small, lightweight and quiet 0.22 rifle to take along when I am big game hunting. The purpose would be to have a shot at the small game I often encounter in the woods. Such a rifle should be more effective than a pellet handgun or a slingshot, and quieter than a small, lightweight #410 shotgun. I live in BC and usually backpack far into the backcountry, hence why I am looking for the shortest and lightest rifle I can legally carry when hunting. I am here to take a look at the forum and classified, but if anyone have any suggestions or previous post to point me towards that would be great.

Cheers!
 
Marlin Papoose or maybe a Henry AR7 if you can confirm that it functions OK.

If it weren't for our insane handgun laws I'd recommend a S&W 34 Kit Gun. I have one and it is a lovely little revolver.

14662d1360464745-kit-guns-model-34-pre-34-your-picture-001.jpg
 
Chiappa Little Badger shooting 22 CB shorts springer air rifles are louder. Good on squirrel at 15 yards.
 
Only center-fire semi autos must have barrel lengths greater than 18.5" to remain non-restricted, everything else must have an overall length of 26".

If interested in semi-auto .22lr I would look into a Ruger 10/22/Marlin 795/Remington 597.

If interested in a compact bolt action .22lr I would look at the Norinco JW-15A which weighs only 5lbs and is only 30" long. It is in stock at Firearms Outlet Canada.
http://www.firearmsoutletcanada.com/norinco-jw15a-compact-22lr-13.html#.Wg7fTXlryUk
norinco-jw15a-compact-.22lr-13.jpg
 
Pack-Rifle, Norinco JW15a as mentioned, Chiappa Little Badger, Stevens 300f and 305f (22 WMR version), Ruger 10/22 with a 12" replacement barrel. I have the 305f and a short barreled Rem 597. I love the 305f because it shoots 1.5" groups at 100m from a 13" barrel. Velocity is 1800 fps with 40gr CCI Maxi Mag HP. The ammo box claims 1875 fps so you don't lose much. I will eventually buy the Pack-Rifle but it's out of my budget right now.
 
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Welcome to CGN!
I have a Chiappa Little badger and use it for exactly what you want. They are very light and accurate and slip in your backpack easily. I have a red dot on mine and it works great!
 
Welcome to CGN. Based on weight and relative usefulness, the little badger is your best choice, if you can put up with the crap sights. However, I suggest buying new from a store that takes returns if there is an issue, because some of them have issues.
 
Thanks everyone for your comments. I have looked into all the rifles mentioned that I dint know, and read all links provided. You guys provided a solid base to start with. I have done some other readings, gone to a few gun stores in town, and thought I should post what options I think there is for a light backpack application. Please do not hesitate to comment if I am missing any other similar options.

Using the summary below I might go two different ways. I would like to have a semi-auto mechanism for this rifle. I know this come with extra weight, but partridge for example are often found in groups walking on the ground, so a semi-auto would be more effective and fun in such cases. Semi-auto can also be very useful with hare on the go. For the semi-automatic option I am leaning towards a Marlin Papoose due to the lower weight compared to the Rugger 10/22; and when holding a Papoose and Henry AR7 side by side I preferred the feel of the papoose. It found the Papoose to be a more balance rifle than the AR7, and felt more like a standard rifle.

The other option is to forget about the semi-automatic desire, and prioritise low weight and cost. At 1 Lbs the Pack-Rifle is the best option for a serious backpacker. It also is a takedown rifle, and has a fishing rod and reel add-on. I could even consider taking such a light rifle in a goat or sheep trip! However I added the cost constraint because the Pack-Rifle is currently out of my price range. Another very light setup is a Crickett with a 22LR-PRK kit. Like the Pack-Rifle the final setup weight is about 1 LBS, but its bolt action. However the cost of the rifle and the kit add up on the expensive side for a specialized use rifle.

This leaves me to a Savage Youth Rascal, Cricket, or Marlin with a homemade modification to the stock to bring the weight down, and extend the stock LOP for the two youth rifles.

Marlin Papoose
Weight: 3.25 lb (1.47 kg)
Length: 35.25 in
Barrel length: 16.25 in
Disassembled length: 21 inches (530 mm)

Henry U.S. Survival AR7
Weight: 3.5 lbs
Length: 35”
Barrel length: 16
Disassembled length: 16-1/2”

Chiappa Little Badger
Weight: 2.9
Length: 31
Barrel length: 16.5"
Disassembled length: 17

Rugger 10/22 Take Down
Weight: 4-2/3
Length: 37
Barrel length: 18.5

Pack-Rifle
Weight: 15.5 OZ (0.97 LBS)
Length: 33
Disassembled length: 17

Savage Youth Rascal
Weight: 2 5/8
Length: 31.3
Barrel length: 16 1/8

Crickett
Weight: 2.5
Length: 30.5
Barrel length: 16.15

22LR PRK (Need a Crickett)
Weight: 1 lbs

Mossberg Blaze
Weight: 3.5
Length: 35 3/4
Barrel length: 16.5
 
If you really want a semi auto, two guns that you should consider with the 10/22 takedown are the nylon 66 and the norinco jw-20.
The nylon 66 is not takedown but only weighs about 4 lb. It is amazing if you can shoot with open sights. Used price is$250 and up when they come up on the EE. The jw20 regularly for sale regularly on this site for less than 200. Also amazingly accurate. In my experience the single shot is a rather poor choice for hunting grouse as you noted.

Btw you should really be posting a question like this in the rimfire forum.
Cheers
 
LarryG said:
If you really want a semi auto, two guns that you should consider with the 10/22 takedown are the nylon 66 and the norinco jw-20.
The nylon 66 is not takedown but only weighs about 4 lb. It is amazing if you can shoot with open sights. Used price is$250 and up when they come up on the EE. The jw20 regularly for sale regularly on this site for less than 200. Also amazingly accurate. In my experience the single shot is a rather poor choice for hunting grouse as you noted.

Btw you should really be posting a question like this in the rimfire forum.
Cheers
Click to expand...


What he said. I have the jw20 and love it.
 
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