camp rifle

The Magician

The Magician

Illusionist
Joined
Jan 19, 2000
Messages
1,580
I am looking for A small caliber rifle for backpacking and camp use. I was thinking .22 cal. Is there A model that is lightweight? How about small and collapsible? Auto loader or single shot? Any help is great.P.S.-the cheaper the better.

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AKTI# A000991
I'm living on the edge!
 
There are several that woudl fit your criteria, one is the Marlin pappose (sp). For my preference though I would go woth a .22 pistol, but I use pistols alot and prefr them in a lot of situations. They are harder to shoot, especially under stress however, and unless one takes a LOT of time, a rifle is better. My .22 favories are the S&W Kit Gun and the Ruger Single Six.

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Lee

LIfe is too important to be taken seriously. Oscar Wilde
 
Some rifles are:

AR-7
Marlin Papoose
Feather AT-22
These all break down for easy transportation.

American Survival Guide had a good article about a year ago or so on a HOMEMADE Marlin takedown rifle.

They took a stock Marlin bolt action with a LAMINATED stock. Cut the barrel down, cut the stock down at the foregrip, and cut a huge hole out of the rear of the stock. This cut size and weight. They then used a large knobbed action bolt so that the action/barrel could be removed from the stock without tools. Each piece was less than 24" long.

I would like to do a similar thing with a Marlin bolt action .22LR, they used a .22 magnum.

For other options, a handgun can't be beat, as Lee said, as long as you get use to shooting one. If you don't like to shoot a lot, a rifle will be easier to use. They make some very lightweight revolvers now and they are fun.


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Plainsman
primitiveguy@hotmail.com
<A HREF="http://pub7.ezboard.com/bplainsmanscabin.html" TARGET=_blank>
Plainsman's Cabin Forums</A>
 
I love my AR-7. I bought it about three or four years ago, new, for less than $150.00. It is very lightweight; Will contain the barrel, receiver, magazine and a few rounds of loose ammo in the stock; And it floats! Also, even though the sights are- shall we say, remedial?- mine is surprisingly accurate.

Another thought, if you would consider more than just a rifle, Springfield Arms makes a combination gun called the M-6. This is the old Air Force survival gun with a .410 shotgun barrel under a small-bore rifle. I think the current offerings are .22LR and .22 Hornet. It's single-shot, barrel-break, hammer-select and has a weird trigger, but it does break down compactly, stores ammo in the stock and gives you more options than just a .22. I just bought one for about $200.00. I got the stainless instead of the parkerised model because I intend to canoe-hunt squirrel with it. I haven't shot it yet, but I intend to get to a range next week.

Another packable .22 was/is made by Browning with a detachable barrel and a tubular mag in the stock. These would be far from cheap, but Norinco made a decent quality (or so I'm told) much less expensive knock-off of the Browning.

Just to weigh-in on the handguns- Revolvers: Ruger Single-Six and H&R 999 Sportsman. Great guns both. Semi-autos: If I can find it in my heart to forgive S&W for selling out to HCI, my next pistol will be one of their new sporter series .22s. I spent a few hours on a range with several configurations at a vendor seminar when they first came out. They are comfortable, reliable, accurate and cheap.

Whatever you decide to get, get it while you can.

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Be Worthy
 
What about a Thompson Contender with a long barrel .22 LR ? They were pretty much standard items on the smallbore silhouette range. The S&W Model 41 .22LR with the 7in barrel was pretty much of a standard in smallbore bullseye pistol, although the Rugers were popular among the less competitive shooters. A scope with any of them makes for a compact, accurate package, but I'd be inclined to use a good iron sight.
 
Second that on the AR-7. I have a Henry and love it. Light weight at 2.5 pounds (weighed), reliable (you must try different kinds of .22 ammo first - mine feeds some great and jams every time with others), and breaks in half. The only problem I have had is with the front sight sliding around. This was easily solved with some epoxy and now that is just a load of fun. Get one and you will not regret it. Mine has more round through it than I can remember and it's still going strong.
 
I like the idea of the contender. Great quality there. I believe you can get stock extensions and turn the thing into a small rifle.

Since it's a single shot, though, it wouldn't be a very good defensive weapon.

I think a single shot 410 or 20 guage would be a good choice but the ammo would be a little heavy. Carry slugs for large game.

Another good choice is a Ruger 10-22. It's rugged, not too heavy and is actually a good deer rifle as well as a small game rifle. You can survive for a long time on the jerky you can make from a single deer. A guy I used to work for grew up in the boonies of Michigan and poaching was a way of life in those days. He'd go out in the evenings, freeze the deer with a flashlight, and aim for the ear. If you don't have a flashlight, climb a tree or build a ground blind close to where they feed, bed or travel in between. I've had them feeding on the same tree I'm sitting in. I only recommend the 22 for large game under survival conditions.
smile.gif



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Hoodoo

The low, hoarse purr of the whirling stone—the light-press’d blade,
Diffusing, dropping, sideways-darting, in tiny showers of gold,
Sparkles from the wheel.

Walt Whitman
 
Ruger MK II .22 LR pistol with a stock. Are they legal in the USA? It solves the weight problem.
 
Greenjacket: That would be an illegal item here: Short barreled rifle. Of course, you could jump through the hoops and pay the tax and probably get one.

In the meantime, getting something with barrel longer than 16" would be cheaper and easier. OR just get a handgun.

The TC's are awesome!
smile.gif
You can even get a folding stock to go with the carbine barrels and make a nice compact backpacking rifle!



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Plainsman
primitiveguy@hotmail.com
<A HREF="http://pub7.ezboard.com/bplainsmanscabin.html" TARGET=_blank>
Plainsman's Cabin Forums</A>
 
Plainsman, I thought so. All handguns are banned here and fourteen inches the legal requirement. Would they be legal if they were made to take a stock as in the Mauser Broomhandles and Artillery Lugers?

10/22 are good and the T model my favourite, though it adds weight. The T model can be given a intergral sound moderator by boring out the barrel, adding baffles and threading on a cap. (Are sound moderators legal in USA?) Folding stocks, such as the Butler Creek are heavy for what they are. Taking off the standard stock is easily enough done if you have to rucksack them.

I think the ERMA M1 Carbine semi.22 is a nice little gun.

Thompson Contenders have interchangable barrels/calibres and can take a stock?

[This message has been edited by GREENJACKET (edited 05-04-2000).]
 
I agree with the basic utility of the AR-7 rifle and own one myself. However I have also had great service from my Savage model 24-C campers companion. This handy little 22/20ga. is an accurate weapon and provides the user with the capability of taking larger game (with the use of a 20 ga. slug or buckshot). They can still be found at good gunshops and at gunshows. They are usually reasonably priced, and while not a truly lightweight, they do break down into three pieces for storage in the backpack. The buttstock will hold a short number of rounds for both barrels.
If you want something with more punch I suggest the single shot NEF Survivor in either .223 or .308. Got one in .308 and it is awesome. It knocks down into three pieces (four with the scope), weighs about 6 lbs. (w/scope, and ten rounds in the buttstock storage area)and is accurate all day long. Truly this is one is giving the 24C a run for its money in time spent out of the safe and in the woods. I guess if it weren't for the utility of the 22/20 combination (and the fact I think my son will use it in a few years)I would never carry any other rifle. Hope this was of some assistance, this is my first post.
 
Several good choices have been mentioned. I love the 24C but would just like to share a word of caution about storing .22 rounds in the buttstock -- make sure you take them out before using the 20 ga barrel. If you don't, what will happen is that the recoil will eventually cause the soft lead to expand. Best case = you have unusable rounds; worst case = they still chamber but can cause higher than usual back pressure.

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Cheers,
Brian
AlleyCat.gif


He who finishes with the most toys wins.
 
Great advice from Brian. I haven't had that problem with the storage of 22's in the buttstock but it makes sense. The storage area in the stock is so small I endeavour to keep my ammo in a pouch attached to the buttstock (available from Uncle Mikes)in the same manner as Mel Tappan. Any who are not familiar with his work "SURVIVAL GUNS" should secure a copy. As a matter of fact many of the answers being sought here can be found there. Best of luck

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Where no law exists there still must be justice- Dan Mahoney
 
Greenjacket: The handguns with stocks as you are talking about, are considered short barreled rifles, or something like that. You have to get the paperwork and pay the tax to own one.

As to the suppressors, similar thing. Six month wait for the paperwork, $200 tax and you can buy one or have it built. It has to be prepaid before the paperwork is put through.



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Plainsman
primitiveguy@hotmail.com
<A HREF="http://pub7.ezboard.com/bplainsmanscabin.html" TARGET=_blank>
Plainsman's Cabin Forums</A>
 
I too have the AR-7, love it. I had trouble getting used to it's lack of solid weight but that was fun to take care of...Cdns are banned handguns but the AR-7 just makes the legal barrel length list.

The .410 / 22 we had was a great piece but heavy and clumsy, not a real trail piece for extended travels. I really like the combination.

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The Fighting Old Man
 
The AR-7 is a real easy pack. Fold it away and stuff it down in the pack, you won't even know you're carrying it. My trigger is abominable, sights are marginal, balance just isn't there, so accurate shooting takes some practice.

If you don't mind the weight, Ruger's 10-22 is fabulous. So is their MK II pistol.
 
If you care about weight, it is hard to beat the AR-7. The sight may seam remedial, but since it is a peep sight it is quite naturally more accurate than a similar appearing open sight. It is a very efficient dispatcher of rabbits. In a survival situation it would me a lot better way of taking a deer than a home made spear.

If I thought that survival might require taking an elk, I'd take my Savage .22/20Gage over-under, but it is a lot heavier.
 
Check out the henry AR7 at www.henryrepeatingarms.com
Its a semi auto .22 that breaks down and stores itself in the stock, and will float if I remember right.

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We got a five dollar fine for whining
We tell you before you come in
So if it ain't on your mind to have a good time
Y'all come back and see us again.- Chris LeDoux
 
Thanks alot everyone! Especially for the link. I think the AR7 is the way to go.

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AKTI# A000991
 
I have the M6 and have used the AR7. I prefer the M6. The .410 give you more versitility in a survival situation. I ordered mine in .22 Hornet (the original round the M6 was developed with). The Hornet has more velocity and and range than a standard .22 long rifle. It is also easier to set up. My 7 year old can push in the reciever/barrel pin and use the rifle. Just my 2 cents.
 
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