I would like suggestion on what to look for when buying a backpack with rifle scabbard???

[ODAVID]

I am leaning toward the Eberlestock in either the J107 or the J107m??

Ok now lets discuss load carrying ability??? I know I can get a elk front quart in and can bone out smaller deer and antelope whole. I would estimate that to be +- 60 lbs with a 12 lb rife and scope etc we are talking close to 75 lbs. IS that what you guys do????

Obviously A person needs to work up maybe starting on indoor treadmill then loading up the hunting setup minus the rifle but substuting for the weight and taking summer ,fall and hopefully some winter hikes to get better in shape. IS that what you guys do????

If the meat is placed in game bags does that work well????

I am sure someone is saying wow that guy doesn't know sh__. My reply is YES right be I am learning and I can teach you something if you want.

THANKS
ODAVID

 

[azrumshooter]

The off center issue isn't as bad as you might think, since the 3 liter water bladder is on the opposite side. I also locate the other bits of kit with the goal of balancing the load as equally as possible. The rifle in the pic is 13 lbs. As far as scope size there is a Vortex Viper HSLR with fairly large turrets in there.

Hi Im also in search of a pack with scabbard , Mr. 7magcreed what pack is yours ? I like your examples and comments great feedback !!

 

[7magcreedmoor]

J107 from Eberlestock. I've been very satisfied with it for a couple years now. Here is my "training load". Board with barbell plates bolted on, and a "simulated" rifle for the scabbard, 15 lbs, my actual rifle is almost 13 lbs. 3 liters of water in the bladder compartment, and the rest of my gear (knives, fire starters, rope, first aid, GPS, rangefinder, etc. On my hikes the total load is just shy of 60 lbs. Sometimes I'll drop a plate if I'm feeling "old", or want to go more miles, but a typical hike is 3 to 5 miles with that load. When hunting the pack and all the stuff in it run about 35 lbs. Usually I feel okay by the 3rd day in Montana, given that I live in PA at about 500 ft above sea level. I don't know what that elk quarter from the other picture actually weighed, but it didn't seem too bad at the time.

 

[azrumshooter]

View attachment 82095 J107 from Eberlestock. I've been very satisfied with it for a couple years now. Here is my "training load". Board with barbell plates bolted on, and a "simulated" rifle for the scabbard, 15 lbs, my actual rifle is almost 13 lbs. 3 liters of water in the bladder compartment, and the rest of my gear (knives, fire starters, rope, first aid, GPS, rangefinder, etc. On my hikes the total load is just shy of 60 lbs. Sometimes I'll drop a plate if I'm feeling "old", or want to go more miles, but a typical hike is 3 to 5 miles with that load. When hunting the pack and all the stuff in it run about 35 lbs. Usually I feel okay by the 3rd day in Montana, given that I live in PA at about 500 ft above sea level. I don't know what that elk quarter from the other picture actually weighed, but it didn't seem too bad at the time.

Wow that's a great thought lol... Yup training is great, backpacking is tiresome lol thank you for the reply

 

[midnightmalloy]

Stone glacier packs are very do all packs and you can add a weapons harness to them with ease. Light packs and you can take the pack from a multi day backpacking mode to a daypack very easily. Here is the sky 5900 I have and it has worked great.
https://www.stoneglacier.com/collections/all-packs/products/sky-5900-new

Here is the weapon sling.
https://www.stoneglacier.com/collections/accessories/products/quick-release-sling

Take the lid off and it compacts down to next to nothing. I just pack my spotting scope and tripod on the opposite side of the pack and it balances it out without any issue. I have had three eberlestock packs including the J107, 2 different mystery ranch packs and a few others and the stone glacier is by far the most comfortable.

 

[ODAVID]

THANKS MIDNIGHT FOR SHARING. THOSE STONEGLACIER packs are spendy buy really nice. I might have to keep saving more??????
ODAVID

 

[BHC]

I hunt with a Badlands 2200. You mount your rifle or bow to the pack. The reason I chose them is the warranty.

 

[midnightmalloy]

THANKS MIDNIGHT FOR SHARING. THOSE STONEGLACIER packs are spendy buy really nice. I might have to keep saving more??????
ODAVID

If you live in Colorado or Wyoming let me know and you can try it out.

 

[azrumshooter]

Stone glacier packs are very do all packs and you can add a weapons harness to them with ease. Light packs and you can take the pack from a multi day backpacking mode to a daypack very easily. Here is the sky 5900 I have and it has worked great.
https://www.stoneglacier.com/collections/all-packs/products/sky-5900-new

Here is the weapon sling.
https://www.stoneglacier.com/collections/accessories/products/quick-release-sling

Take the lid off and it compacts down to next to nothing. I just pack my spotting scope and tripod on the opposite side of the pack and it balances it out without any issue. I have had three eberlestock packs including the J107, 2 different mystery ranch packs and a few others and the stone glacier is by far the most comfortable.

wow that is cool thanks for the reply and info ....

 

[azrumshooter]

If you live in Colorado or Wyoming let me know and you can try it out.

I wish I did no I don't , I appreciate it thank you

 

[Jock Perkins]

I have an Eberlestock Gunslinger II for sale that would fit the bill. It is has been hardly used -- 1 trip. No visual signs of wear. 225.00 + 15.00 for shipping within the US. It comes with several pocket attachments that were purchased when I bought the pack. It is coyote brown.

 

[shedhunt]

Anyone have any experience with the EXO packs? I am also looking for a new pack. I used to have the Eberle Just One, but ended up getting rid of it due to the overall dry weight of the pack. I have been looking at the EXO, Mystery, Stone Glacier, and several others, but just can't seem to get enough info on them from others using them in the field to pull the trigger on one yet.

Odavid, Have you looking into the EXO packs at all?

 

[jgal72]

I purchased a Exo 3500 this summer. I have had Eberlestock Team Elk pack and the a Stone glacier Sky 5100 in the past. Eberle squeaked when I walked and was heavy. Didn't care for the rifle carrier on the glacier, plus it was bigger than I needed. Was Looking at kuiu when someone on LRH mentioned Exo. I watched videos on their site. I was impressed with the thought process that went into their designs. Well thought out. I used the 3500 most of summer carrying my heavy groundhog gun and tripod. Also I just returned from a red stag hunt in France were I used it for a week. I really like this pack. Everything in the design seems to fit my needs. Rifle/bow carrier is great. Love the roll top and the internal dry bag. Fits me well when loaded down. For me this is the one. I just purchased the 2000 bag last week for my day hunts. Packs are like people, all different. Unfortunately its trial and error finding the right one for you.

 

[shedhunt]

jgal72, thanks for the replay and information. I am probably going to go the route that you have as I continue to read nothing but positive reviews about the EXO packs. I am actually going to stop by their facility in Boise, Idaho in December on my way through that area.