2 months in deep wilderness which rifle

[backpacker]

I was heavily thinking about the M6, but , when I weighed one the other day, it weighed 4 lbs. 10 oz. It is advertized at 36 oz. Thats almost 1-1/2 lbs difference, which makes it a pretty heavy rifle for a survival rifle. I am not sure if I want to carry a rifle that heavy all over the place. Also, Springfield should change their weight specifications, being off that far is not truthfull advertizing!

 

[diletante]

Originally posted by Doctom
Thes gentlemen have a lot of experience and a good website
http://www.sererescuesog.addr.com/USRSOG-Firearm.htm

Fifteen years ago while working the night shift as a "ranger" (read security guard/janitor) at a commercial campground, I read an article in a gun magazine about a neat little rifle conversion for a .22 pistol. I think it was a Browning Buckmark, but you could do it with just about any .22 auto with a removeable barrel. The author fabricated a 16+" barrel with an attached Grease-Gun-style wire stock. An AR7 would probably still be lighter, but is bulkier.

 

[numberthree]

Here's another vote for the M6. Mine is ridiculously accurate and portable. My springfield carrying bag for it holds 50 rounds of .22 and 15 .410s, plus 15 .22 and 4 .410 in the stock. Add a box or two in the pack and you have enough ammo for long haul in the woods. And for those hungry, big animals, I'd have to do it Roger's Rangers style: let 'em have it with the .410 barrel and then finish 'em up with the tomahawk. Or get eaten....whichever comes first... Or best of all, pay attention to what's going on around me and avoid trouble. Anyone who's read Heinlein's Tunnel in the Sky will know what I'm talking about. The main character is advised not to take a gun at all on a very gruelling survival test for the very reason that the psychological security the gun provides keeps you from being scared enough to REALLY pay attention to what's going on around you.

The reality of a rifle in a long term wilderness trek is that it will spend 99% of the time being carried on your back or pack. Best to go light and fast, which is why I carry the M6...

 

[frank k]

If you want min. weight, at 2 3/4 lbs., the AR7 is probably the way to go. I have carried one with an "assualt sling" made of paracord; I could get off a shot quicker and with more accuracy then I could with a holstered pistol.

 

[hso]

I too would select a 12, 16, or 20 guage shotgun over a rifle. Slugs and shot would feed and defend well. A good low power scope and ~60 rounds of #6 and 20 rounds of DS slug should round out the kit.

 

[backpacker]

OK, so I decided on something completely different.

I bought a Savage model 30G Falling Block 22 single shot. Along with this I will carry a light 357 mag.

The Savage only weighs 4.25 lbs. and is very very accurate with the tang peep sight.

What don you think?

 

[Mr Jody Hudson]

2.5 pounds, actually 41 oz. and more accurate than almost any .22 rifle and small.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/sport/results_output.cfm

OR

ParaOrdinance 14.45 http://www.paraord.com/pages/ldaltd/1445ldaltd.html
plus
the most accurate .22 conversion kit made
http://www.marvelprecision.com/beauty.htm
and
The Triton Ammo 450 SMC cartridge
http://triton-ammo.com/products/450SMC.shtml

With the ParaOrd; a couple of double stack mags, some regular .45 ammo, the conversion kit with ammo and some of the 450 SMC ammo... A person would have an exceptionally versatile, light, small, accurate firearm for nearly all possible scenarios.

 

[Erasmus]

Would this be a completely un-resupplied walkabout?

Please be advised that it is not possible to survive on "small game" alone. The natives who attempt that in Canada develop a condition known as "Rabbit Starvation" simply because people can't make it on a diet consisting solely of lean meat, as is found in small game.

Big game is another deal. That will do nicely for you. The meat from big game has sufficient fat content that you can survive on a 100% meat diet. This calls for a technology that will reduce big game to possesion. This seems to me to cry out for a center-fire rifle.

I would suggest that you try out this enlightening exercise:
On large pieces of paper(like butcher paper or poster boards) draw lifesize simple pictures of animals. Copy them from a household encyclopedia and take your time drawing. You'll be surprised how well they'll turn out. Then place them at "unknown" distances and shoot them in the vitals from a semi-awkward standing position, under minor time constraints. Your weapon system must be able to deal a telling blow, in a timely manner, or it's no good.

It's a good excuse to go shooting, too.

My liberal FemiNazi cousin was thrilled to shoot at lifesized pictures of California Quails, with a Nazi surplus 9mm. 'Nother sheeple converted(at least a little bit.)

Once you are convinced, get a hunting license and try out your ideas on the real deal. Very eye-opening. Was for me, anyhow.

Cheers

-----------
"You fool! Look around you, this planet's destroying itself!"

"Yes... exhilarating, isn't it?"

 

[numberthree]

Traps and snares are a more efficient way of getting your meat than shooting; they do the work for you. I still stand by the M6 for this scenario, though. The .22 lr is a surprisingly effective round for deer and similar sized animals at shorter ranges, and can also be used on small game without creating a big, pink explosion that leaves you no meat....

Another great thing to carry would be a plant identification book.

 

[Lance Gothic]

Brothers & Sisters of Armed Outings,

Isn't there supposed to be a sleeve for the M6 which allows you to shoot a .41 magnum round? Let me know, hmm?

Regards,
Lance Gothic
Shibumi

 

[BurkStar]

I agree with the posts that say a .410/22 combo is just about useless as the .410 is a waste. The energy expended chasing crippled game or the shell expenditure for actually hitting and killing game negates the advantage of a shotgun in an over/under.

 

[EXECUTION STYLE]

WWW.DSARMS.COM....

20 round mags. .308 caliber. Excellent accuracy. Reliable.

 

[Carl Theile]

Originally posted by Hoodoo
I would vote for the M6 Scout. I grew up hunting with a Savage 22/410 combo gun and it was never a question of whether I could kill something with it. I just did it. My M6 is extremely accurate. Three shot raggedy holes at 25 yds are pretty common. Slugs will print in 3 inches at 25 yds and have more energy than a 357, which is adequate for deer sized game. The M6 was often carried by Calvin Rutstrum, a professional guide and writer who often spent months on end traveling the trackless wilderness. Can the M6 do it? It's already done it.

I'm with Hoodoo. I went from a Stevens single shot bolt action directly to the M6 Scout (actually to a forerunner of the Scout, then the to the M6 Scout). If ya gotta carry a gun, it might as well be this one. If you don't have slugs, hot beeswax in the shot (though illegal) extends the effective range of the 410. I also used to open the outer crimp, pull the wad, pour the shot into a spoon to melt it, then pour it back! Presto- instant slug ...though I suspect this might have been a bit dangerous.
-carl

 

[Hoplophile]

.308 Bolt action. Heavy loads for bigger game, and "squib loads" for small game. .32acp bullets can be loaded into .308 brass and using a smaller powder charge, it is great for small game.
That or a 12 guage pump with a duplex choke tube.

 

[condahaw]

I'd be packing an M6 too. Even at 4 pounds or so it's light compared to other long guns, it breaks in half for easy packing and it cleans real nice in hot, soapy water. You can carry a whole lot of .22 rounds w/ little space/weight. The .410 w/ an assortment of slugs, buckshot, #7.5, #4 adds a lot of versatility. And it's light.

No, I don't plan on hunting bear with it, I hope not to run into one... But if need be, with some thought, some fair size game can be had with it. And it's light.

 

[Thunderchyld]

My personal choice is a gun I've built for those occasions when you want to have everything but don't have enough hands. It is a Drilling, SxS 12ga over 223. The 12ga with slugs is good for just about anything big, with shot, you can wingshoot and take small game, and the 223 is quite accurate for small to medium sized game. I also have 12" inserts chambered for 22WMR for the 12ga barrels. Backing everything up, would be either a HK USP or a Para ord P14.45LTD.

TC

 

[Rifter]

Well as much fun as it would be to haul around and shoot off a browning M-2 i think i would go with a battle proven rifle, for that long of a outing it could mean your life if your gun fails, which is whay i would pick:

FN Fal
Enfield
Ak47/74


Personally i would take the AK, those things will keep firing forever even in the harshest terrain and abuse. And a 7.62X39 will still kill a deer out to 100-150 yards.

 

[mblackfu]

savage over and under (22 hornet over 20 gauge)

 

[motionman2]

If defense is an issue I'm with Rifter...battle proven (I like the M-14, or an 20" AR15).

Otherwise 10/22 for me.

...for those who prefer handguns, be sure to pratice in the cold. I do, and that's why I'd take a rifle (not easy to be accurate with a pistol when it's below freezing).

 

[SpookyPistolero]

I'm probably going to have to stick with the 12 ga, despite heft of ammo. Easily takes small game if big game is elusive, and slugs can take big game at very reasonable distances. Buckshot exists in the event of two legged problems. I'd take a Marlin .357 mag levergun after the 12 ga.

How the heck do you guys manage to tolerate the trigger on the M6? Had one when I was a kid, was not a fan.