Pack Guns

Status
Not open for further replies.
somethingbenign

somethingbenign

Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2017
Messages
944
I just got back from the most frustrating hunts I've ever been on. Took a whole week off work to hunt some beautiful woods and sandhills and hiked somewhere close to 60 miles. Of the 10 guys hunting only 5 of us had ethical shots on any deer and I was the only one to bag one, on the morning of closing day for he season to boot. Was actually the nicest buck I've ever shot or known someone to shoot and closer to a down right there kill than I knew was possible when he walked no more than 5', so it was definitely a worthwhile experience. While I was out there and fighting he growing sensation that no deer existed in the county I kept seeing jackrabbits, squirrels, and turkeys. Enough turkeys I bought a tag and tied my 16ga to the side of my pack. My thought now is would it be worthwhile to pack a lightweight rimfire and shotgun on these hunts so I'm prepared to bring something, anything, back to camp? What would you guys recommend for a set of light beater guns to haul around? I know a combination shotgun rifle would be the easy answer but all I've ever seen are .410 and I have very little faith with that guage in my hands so I'd want at least a 28. Also many of he small game shots I had were at 100-200 yards so I'm thinking something more than 22lr, still debating between 22mag, 17hmr, or 17wsm. I'd like to stick to rimfire since my state has laws about carrying a centerfire during rifle season without an unfilled deer tag. I guess long story short what are some of the lighter shotguns and rimfires you guys would trust to bring home a meal?
 
An idea would be to find an H&R 20 ga. Plastic stocks and it will be pretty light. 20ga is very versatile these days and with TSS shot, totally viable for turkey. A youth model 20 ga S/A might be light enough as well.
 
A drilling would work; most likely would be a 16 gauge for which you could get a .22lr insert barrel and then you'd also have a centerfire rifle cartridge.
 
courtgreene said:
The single shots could work. Or, the single shots with switchable barrels that offer .22 and 20ga.
Click to expand...
You know that has me thinking about the TC single shots. Was it he contender or the encore that could do shotgun? How quickly and easily do those change barrels?
 
As quickly as you can take off the fore-end and then put it back on again I believe.
 
somethingbenign said:
You know that has me thinking about the TC single shots. Was it he contender or the encore that could do shotgun? How quickly and easily do those change barrels?
Click to expand...
I'd caution carrying something other than slugs around during Nov firearm season...... used to be a no go.....idk if that's been changed.
 
horsey300 said:
I'd caution carrying something other than slugs around during Nov firearm season...... used to be a no go.....idk if that's been changed.
Click to expand...
Never heard hat before. Just read the turkey hunting guide and the only thing mentioned about deer season is you have to wear orange. I'll double check with a warden next chance I get. Seems like I get stopped by one about every other time I hunt public land.
 
Buckmark for me as well, tho this little guy would probably serve pretty well.
index.php


index.php


Folds nearly in half, and fits in the side pocket of my toyotas door, cant imagine it wouldn't fit well in outside back pack pocket.

The 9mm Insert might be an ideal option as well, IF it proves accurate and repeatable. I still haven't gotten to spend enough time with the thing to know as the gun doesn't actually belong to me. Tho the insert does.
 
The legalities of hunting small game at the same time and place as big game hunting will vary depending on the location. But if legal I'd choose an accurate 22 pistol. Trying to carry 2 long guns in the field just isn't practical anywhere I hunt. I might keep one in camp and if I punched my big game tag early could then hunt small game until time to go home.
 
I have been wanting a ruger SSS hunter edition. With a revolver you can shoot shorts or subsonic and not ruin your hunt.
I guess the same could be said for a threaded barrel .22 and suppressor.
As @jmr40 said, I would focus on tagging my big game, then hunt with my .22 rifle.
 
I carried a Savage 24F Turkey hunting this year. 223 over 12 gauge. The 24F was the latest/last on the 24's before Savage went to the 42 22 over 410. Prior to the 'F' model Savage did produce the 24 in various calibers including 30-30 over 12 gauge. The thought being I would have a chance at varmints. And I did have a shot at a fox. But these combo guns make a hunter change their paradigm about hunting. These things carry like a 2 X 4 and swing like a 4 X 4. Stock versions require adjusting the rear sight to switch between rifle and shotgun. I've been working on a 223 load that has a POI that comes close to a 25 yard shotgun point of aim. The real answer is to install a second rear flip up sight for the rifle. I just didn't have the time to do that this year.

So you could look for an older Savage 24 in 30-30 over 12 gauge and add a second rear sight. Just understand that it wont have that svelte feel to it. And you have to keep your head about you using two rear sights. That fox walked away as I forgot to change the rear sight.

EDIT: As I reread your OP, the 24 doesn't address the issue of carrying a centerfire without an unfilled deer tag. If your just looking for a combo gun in rimfire/shotgun the 24 was made in 22(or 22 mag) over 20 gauge as well. I had a 22 LR over 20 gauge. Triggers tend to suck w/o much chance of improvement. And you still have the issue of different points of impact.
 
Last edited:
You can shoot turkey with a .22 handgun? In Washington State, we can only take Turk with a shotgun, and it has to be #4 shot or smaller.

I wish they could open it up to small caliber traditional muzzle loaders, but then I guess we'd start seeing small caliber "modern" muzzle loaders. That would be gross. !!! :)

Anyhow, I have an old, unusual shotgun that looks much like the one Loonwulf pictured. It's called "The Companion", and has a small, trigger like lever in front of the trigger guard to break the action. LoonWulf's looks like the trigger guard is pulled back instead. On my "Companion", the gun pretty much folds in half. The one I have is 12gauge, and super light. I cut the barrel down, not super short, but about 22" inch or so, and now it weighs 5.8 pounds. My point being, you could sure carry that on your pack. I think you can pick those up for cheap. The only problem is, (and it's chambered for 3" shells) it has a hell of a kick to it.

Just an idea. Not sure how some of your game rules work, like what kind of ammo you can carry depending on if your tag is filled or not. ??? That's a new one on me.
 
I have a 24V, 30-30 over 20 gauge. It's not a bad gun, but they do tend to have problems sometimes. On mine, I have to load the .30-30 down or the action will break open on firing, and that seems to be a common problem with them. (the gun does not break open of firing with the 20gauge barrel, even with 3" slug loads) Point of impact does change if you are shooting slugs in the shot barrel, but otherwise, or with shot, you might not see a big difference.
 
Ugly Sauce said:
You can shoot turkey with a .22 handgun?
Click to expand...
Definitely not. The rimfire would be for small game like squirrel and rabbit. Around here turkey is shotgun and archery only. I don't think I am good enough shot with a handgun to make the 100-200 yard shots I was seeing. My external framed backpack I carry so I can carry out a quartered deer has a sleeve on either side that fit my OU shotgun rather nicely, didn't notice the weight hardly except when putting on or taking off and then it was a balance issue. Seeing a bunch of current production rimfire rifles hitting the 5.5-6# range. Doesn't sound heavy now but I bet it would after several miles.
 
Oh yeah, I forgot, we can use archery also on turkey. For sure five pounds or more will make a difference on the fatigue factor.
 
I would love to be able to pack a small rimfire with me on a deer hunt. Ohio in it's infinite wisdom forbids it though. If deer hunting archery no firearm is allowed, and all gun/muzzle loader season you must carry a firearm legal for deer. You can carry your CCW, but cannot use it for any purpose but to protect your life, not even for a coup de grace.

The biggest, fattest squirrel always congregate around whatever stand I am in They tease and flaunt themselves shamelessly. A quick pop with a silenced 22 would allow some pot meat for dinner.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

BP Hunter
  • Locked
Hunting back pack
Replies
11
Views
575
JJHACK
J
C
  • Locked
What to pack for deer hunting.
Replies
8
Views
972
Bandit01
B
L
  • Locked
Turkey Air Shots
Replies
8
Views
752
wankerjake
wankerjake
L
  • Locked
New Deer limit Proposal
Replies
5
Views
543
Lon371
L
R
  • Locked
will it kill a wild hog ?
2
Replies
28
Views
3K
ccsniper
C
Back
Top