Backpacking .22

Here is my vote, not too expensive and it is a little more compact. http://www.impactguns.com/henry-arms-ar-7-survival-rifle-black-h002b-619835002006.aspx

I love my Marlin 70 Papoose rifle, 4lbs, stainless, barrel comes off for easy carry in its case. you can carry it in your back pack easy, I carry a 357 mag revolver with me just in case I need more than a 22.

Browning Semi Auto 22.

Tube fed (from the rear), and the tube doesn't fully come out when you are loading so you won't drop it.

Breaks down to barrel and stock. Feels real good in hand.

Browning Semi Auto 22.

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Yes.

I know this is the rifle forum, but I would go with some kind of lightweight 22 pistol. Space and weight is usually at a premium while backpacking.

Gergify said:

So I'm looking for a backpacking .22. Partly for hunting while i'm out in the wild and partly for my SHTF kit.

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AR-7? Not the best possible .22 as far as design and build quality are concerned but one of the most portable guns that can still be called a rifle.

To me the Charger is too big for a 22 handgun. I'd just use a rifle if considering one of them. A 5.5" or longer barreled Ruger MK-III pistol with optics (or without) would probably be just as accurate and a lot more portable.

Rossi Youth Matched Pair - http://www.rossiusa.com/whatsnew-matchedpair.cfm

I bought the blued .22/.410 version for $117.00 from WalMart. It takes down by simply unscrewing the front sling swivel.

I'm 6'1" and have no problems with the shorter youth stock.

Good Luck!

The AR7/henry rifles are very light but take the longest to assemble. Even with a little practice you are looking at 30 seconds. If you needed a bullet hole in something quickly an SBR is just as compact as the take downs and is ready to go with the click of a button. Of the take downs the Browning is the slickest but I wouldn't want the ones I have bouncing around in a back pack. None of the above fill your 30-30 power wants but the Savage 24 can give you both a .22 so you can carry plenty of ammunition in little space or add much weight and a 20 gauge shotgun that can be usefull with either bird, buck shot or slugs. If you can't take it with the Savage you shouldn't be camping there.

Know you asked for a .22, but since you mentioned backpacking and SHTF, I'll throw in a 9mm Kel-Tec Sub 2000 into the "fold"... (as it folds in half ). Kinda middle ground between the firearms you're considering. In all the SHTF scenarios I can imagine, backpack concealability will be paramount.

- Shares mags with popular auto pistols, like 15/33 rounds mags with my G19.
- 16" barrel increases velocity to approach .357 pistol power.... able take deer. Might make a mess of smaller game though.
- a lot more accurate than a pistol, but 100yrd effective range.
- 4lbs, and about the volume of 1/2 a laptop.
- .40 cal version too.

I would vote for the Marlin. They are rock solid and very compact.

Considering your criteria, I'd have to give a plug for a Ruger Hunter. Back when I spent more time hunting, I killed more than a few rabbits (and other small game) with a Hunter equipped with a small red dot scope.

OP:

Are you asking about rifles? This is the rifle department of the forum, but the Charger you mention is a large pistol.

As to rifles, how about a break-action single shot? Nearly foolproof, takes down into two pieces for easy transport and it encourages making every shot count. These are pretty good:

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/sportster.asp

If a pistol is more what you're after, an accurate one with a scope might be just the ticket, whether the Charger or something smaller, such as a Buckmark or Ruger Mark, or even a revolver.

I know this is the rifle forum, but I would go with some kind of lightweight 22 pistol. Space and weight is usually at a premium while backpacking.

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Yes. I was an Infantryman for more than 22 years, and have done a lot of boonie humping. I've also backpacked almost all the Appalachian Trail, Horseshoe Trail, the Ozark Highlands Trail, and so on. Weight counts!!

Here in Arkansas, hunting is permitted along the Buffalo National River (which is a national park) and the Ozark Highlands Trail follows the river -- so hunting and carrying a gun is legal from one end to the other. My gun of choice is my Colt Woodsman (made in 1938.) It's light and extremely accurate.

I have shot many AR-7s by different makers, and didn't like any. They tend to be inaccurate, have problems holding zero, and have heavy, rough triggers.

So I'm looking for a backpacking .22. Partly for hunting while i'm out in the wild and partly for my SHTF kit.

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For a "packable" .22 rifle, I would probably go with the Henry Repeating Arms version of the AR-7. While they are by no means target grade rifles, the ones I have used had acceptable accuracy and were generally reliable with the right ammo.

If you are willing to consider a non-rifle options, I think the good, old S&W .22 Kit Gun would be worth considering (especially if you already have another long gun to contend with). Its realatvily small and light and easy to carry.

I love my wood and blue old model Marlin Model 70P Papoose. In a pinch I would even get some comfort from it in a self defense situation.

For something different you could go with an H&R Sportster or any older H&R break action single shot .22LR. Because of the break action, ANY H&R single-shot rifle or shotgun is a takedown gun. Just pack a small screwdriver for the fore end screw, or replace that screw with one that has knurled knob that you can loosen or tighten by hand. Once the fore end is removed, you can "break" the action enough to simply lift off the barrel.

Another option would be the Springfield M6 survival rifle. Not much to go wrong and you have the .410 shotgun as with the Savage 24; only in a much smaller package.

I've used a colt new service in 45 colt for these purposes ever since I was 16 and got the pistol as a present from my grandfather, it's not a 22 but I've shot everything from rabbits and coyotes to deer and people with it. It has never let me down and can drive nails out two 25-30 yards.

It does do some damage to rabbits thought.

The Papoose is actually lighter than the AR-7 at 3.25 pounds vs. 3.8 pounds.

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They must have changed something, the Henry in the photo above is just over 2.5#'s with two loaded mags.

I'd suggest a ruger 10/22 with a aftermarket folding stock like a choate or a butler creek I prefer the Butler Creek myself but if weight is a concern the Choate may be lighter.

Here is my backpacking .22 !

Considering your criteria, I'd have to give a plug for a Ruger Hunter.

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Agree with Tony. That would be my pick.
RT