Backpack Rifle Choice???

[BigDaddyKane]

I am planning a backpacking trip for this upcoming November. I'm hoping to do some small game hunting... fox and coyotes at the largest. I'm seriously considering buying a 22 rifle and want to hear your opinions on which one to buy. I'm NOT looking to spend a lot of money. MY 300WM is my target rifle and money pit haha. So this one will be my budget rifle that will only be used on short backpacking trips for small game ONLY. It probably won't ever get shot past 50-100yds.

Thanks!

 

[Nomad]

Just shooting varmints a 22 should be all you should need.....
if you are wanting a little more would look at a 223 because of cost of ammo
and still had the power to take out a coyote at 20-250 yards....
Luck on your trip.....

 

[BigDaddyKane]

Right... any particular make/model to consider tho?

 

[TikkaShooters]

A Tikka T3 Lite in 223the would only weight a little over 6the pounds, be extremely accurate out of the box, and has a fast enough twist to be a contender with heavy vld bullets down the road.

 

[M_freeman]

I was going to build a custom Browing Buckmark pistol with a 7" tacsol barrel and a small 4x scope for such fun. Probably weigh about 2 lbs and shoot out to 75 yards no problem. I never got around to doing it though. The Browning Buckmark rifle is a sweet little rifle as well, weighs in about 4lbs.

 

[BigDaddyKane]

I read about a discontinued model by Springfield Armory that was designed for the survivalist and it broke down into pieces and stowed away in the buttstock. Anybody know of anything like this?

 

[M_freeman]

I read about a discontinued model by Springfield Armory that was designed for the survivalist and it broke down into pieces and stowed away in the buttstock. Anybody know of anything like this?

yes when I was looking into similar fun I found out about such a rifle, it does exist, if I recall there is an over and under model as well. Check around you might find one on gunbroker. I have heard bad things about the .22LR AR style rifle the one with the floating buttstock. Marlin makes a good cheap one I think it's called the papoose, lot of good reviews on the Marlin.

 

[orion2000]

If you want really cheap and simple, most gun shops will have a rack full of older single shot or bolt action .22's for less than $100. IF you want light, there are several youth model rifles out that will not break the bank. If you think you "might" want to tinker with it in the future, the Ruger 10/22 has a world of aftermarket parts available. And, a used 10/22 can generally be had for less than $200 if you look around....

Personally, I am taking a "tinkered" 10/22 to Colorado with me next month specifically for taking small game while scouting elk. Right at 5 pounds all up.

Warren

 

[outinthefield]

Henry also makes a nice little .22 the whole thing fits in the stock. Henry Repeating Arms | Fine Rifles Made in America and Priced Right

 

[cuernos1]

depends on where you are hunting too.. I spend a lot of time in bear country and I am packing a pack, rifle, pistol and optics, no more stuff..

TC makes the G2 and it's lite.. I have one with a syn stock and in 204 ruger with a 20" tube and scope it weighs 6lbs n change with scope..

it also fits inside my pack broken down... just a thought and it is super accurate..

 

[Daves762]

I have a bolt 223 that I use for that stuff.

 

[silvertip-co]

If it was me i'd get a sav 111 pkg rifle in 270 or 25-06 or 7-08 or 260 ...

OR a tikka t3 lite in any good popular cal. that rifle is just amazing.

 

[TikkaShooters]

I spent 5 hours at the range yesterday with my Tikka 223.

Shot everything from 55 blitzkings to 80 grain vld bergers all less than .5 moa.

This gun constantly amazes me and is a ton of fun to shoot.

 

[mcseal2]

The marlin papoose is a very nice pack rifle, but kinda bulky to pack. It is easy to mount a scope on which would be nice for 100yd accuracy.

I've heard mixed reviews on accuracy and reliability on the AR-7 rifles that pack in a floating buttstock.

Springfield armory made the M6 pack rifle with a 22 on top and 410 shotgun on bottom that broke down. They pack flat and don't take up a ton of room, but had a different trigger design and weren't known for accuracy. I'd look elsewhere for what you describe. They can be found used, but you can build a good 10/22 for the same price.

For what you describe and a chance at larger varmints I'd step up to the 22 magnum. It will take any small game or varmint you want out to 100yds or a little more. If it was me I'd put my Ruger M77 all weather in 22 magnum in the eberlestock scabbard and head out. It weighs about 6.5lbs with scope and is a real tackdriver. It gets a ton of use around the ranch.

If you might want to eat something you shoot with the 22 mag be careful what bullets you use. Mine is most accurate with the hyper velocity 30gr HP or polymer tipped bullets, but they make a mess out of small animals. If I want to shoot edible critters with it I use the CCI 40gr full copper jacketed bullets. Dialed in with those I can also use the 40gr HP bullets for varmints with the same POI.