Sporting rifles and small aircraft - length considerations?

I don't length will be an issue, but they may ask you to repaint that stock beforehand. :p

Fat chance. That's what keeps the bears away. No self-respecting bear would get shot by clown camo.

what was the mcmillan colors combo?

Orange Blue Red Yellow. You can't spot the difference in the orange and red in the picture. I chose it because I wanted to be more spot-able. The blue is for when the fall colours are out.

I really like McCamo, but it wasn't what I was going for this time. I also want to try a light tan, brown and black pattern as I haven't seen that before.

IMG_9927s_zps7b714160.jpg


The picture as you posted is exactly what it looked like out of the box.
On mine I mounted the 1.5-5 Leupold over the receiver and replaced the laminate wood with a factory synthetic Ruger stock which has a slightly longer LOP.
I haven't chronographed a 250 gr. load, but a 225 gr. bullet dumped a Mulie at a touch over 200 yds.
The stubby little gun has printed some very impressive groups for a short gun, but I seriously must do some chrony work with it.

I would probably mount the scope similarly. Don't see much point to a 300 yard cartridge in such a light and whippy gun.

It would be great if someone would design a folding stock with solid lockup for bolt action rifles and mass produce it. I like barrel length and a little bit of forward balance, but transport in less ungainly cases would be a definite asset.
 
If you are simply moving from point A to point B in a light aircraft, putting a standard length, scoped hunting rifle in a soft case should not be any concern to the pilot. If however, if the firearm is either part of the aircraft's survival gear, or something which must be instantly accessible upon landing, as in the case of bear researchers working from helicopters, gun length is very much an issue, and folding or telescoping stocks and short barrels are desirable elements of such a gun.

Having flown with some pilots who seem have an exceedingly broad definition of what constitutes a successful landing, or seemingly do not understand the fundamental differences between a Turbo Beaver and a helicopter, I would not consider externally loading any of my guns.
 
Last edited:
If you are simply moving from point A to point B in a light aircraft, putting a standard length, scoped hunting rifle in a soft case should not be any concern to the pilot. If however, if the firearm is either part of the aircraft's survival gear, or something which must be instantly accessible upon landing, as in the case of bear researchers working from helicopters, gun length is very much an issue, and folding or telescoping stocks and short barrels are desirable elements of such a gun.

Having flown with some pilots who seem have an exceedingly broad definition of what constitutes a successful landing, or seemingly do not understand the fundamental differences between a Turbo Beaver and a helicopter, I would not consider externally loading any of my guns.

LOL - I saw some of the short take-off and landing videos on YT, so i see what you mean. Good to know that standard pick up and drop offs include standard sized rifles.

Say, "Whaaaaaaa??????"

Holy crap... get off the thumbhole thing then.... ;)

Chacun a son gout. Helps make the world interesting. :) Time for folding thumbhole clown camo.
 
Considering that's about the most common sized rifle a hunter would use, I'd say it's pretty frequent to encounter those in anything flying.
If you're referring to a survival rifle for a pilot, that's really not a viable option as they'd want something that can be tucked away and doesn't take up much room, since they need the space and weight saving for their customers gear.

Yep, you'll be fine with a standard rifle, the super short rigs are for folks getting in and out of machines a dozen times a day as their job. If you're only flying in light aircraft once a month I wouldn't be worried about it, they'll fit it in, but they'll appreciate if you don't bring a hard case.
 
I wouldn't sweat weight of the gun much as most rifles are 5-12lbs, the extra seven pounds to be on the heavy end isn't bringing the aircraft down. Some days I lose almost that much after my morning coffee. Weight of the passenger is of far higher concern to us. Depending how far you're going, and how many of you, expanded midriffs will garner the most concerned glances and can represent fuel that has to be left behind in light aircraft.
 
I wouldn't sweat weight of the gun much as most rifles are 5-12lbs, the extra seven pounds to be on the heavy end isn't bringing the aircraft down. Some days I lose almost that much after my morning coffee. Weight of the passenger is of far higher concern to us. Depending how far you're going, and how many of you, expanded midriffs will garner the most concerned glances and can represent fuel that has to be left behind in light aircraft.

I call this the American buffer zone. There seems to be a bit more to our southern cousins. Usually just tell them, they can leave the spare case of beer, or the spare tire.
 
Back
Top Bottom