ATV Hunting Rifle Carry

[Charles S]

I have a new to me Honda Rubicon 2003. I would like some suggestions of rifle carry. I have used to handle bar mounted systems and did not like them. I have also used the rack mounted holders the old style not the new style and they have some drawbacks also.

I would like to know if anyone has tried a conventional scabbard designed for scoped rifles. I was thinking of mounting it behind my right leg with the scope up.

This is kind of what I had in mind. I would not be opposed to another mounting suggestion.

Cabelas Scabbard

My other alternative would be a Koplin case. I was thinking of the V. Is the V better than the IV.

Koplin Gun Boot V

I have also thought of a system to carry my gun case. This might work well.

Gun Case Carrier

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Charles

 

[KriegHund]

Im afraid i cant offer advice but just make sure its unloaded when you put it into the atv

I think you can get a fine for that, not sure.

 

[huntingnt]

LOTS of experience with this

I muzzleload for elk up here in Washington. Our camp is down about 1500 feet below where we hunt and the trails up there are very rough. We ride our quads up about 5 miles before daybreak and hunt on foot from there. I have tried almost everything but the Kolpin scabbard. The only reliable ways I have been able to transport the guns has been to carry them across your lap holding the with one hand if you are moving very slow for a short distance or bungee cord a normal hard case to your front rack for the long haul. The latter method also mitigates the impression that people on quads are "road hunters".

 

[DigMe]

I also don't like the handlebar racks. I typically just use the gun strap and put it across my back. Of course if you're riding through a lot of low branches that won't work.

brad cook

 

[Mark]

I am a fan of the Kolpin. Do not get model III. 50mm scopes will not fit. No experience with the model V.

Good things:
The hard case provides much more protection from rain, mud, thrown rocks, and trees than soft cases.
At the end of the day you grab the whole thing by the handle and head for the truck or cabin.
I use it to take the rifle to the range.
Lockable and airline approved. When I flew out hunting via small aircraft the pilots liked these over the rectangular gun cases because they can identify the business end and load it in the plane pointing tailward.
Protects the gun in the truck when the cooler falls on it.
Clean it off with the pressure washer when doing the truck.

BAd things:
Hard to dry when they get wet inside.
Factory mounting systems suck.
If you hunt with the end cap in place the gun is hard to access.

I mount mine on the front rack. I lay it flat on the rack with the butt back close to the right hand grip, just out of the way of the handlebar travel. The muzzle end sticks out the front of the rack about 12". Do need to be careful not to run it into tree, etc. I leave the end off for quick access and by laying flat instead of pointing down the rain is not funneled directly into case. Move hand several inches from grip to rifle. Much easier than trying to access rifle that is mounted on rear rack behind you and above you. I can draw as I step off machine.
The only down side to this method of carry is that the rifle is not pointing down. It is pointing straight ahead. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT CARRY CHAMBERED ROUND-PERIOD. Can make those riding in front of you nervous. I intend to experiment with a spacer of some sort to slightly elevate the rear end to give some downward angle.

I could try and send pictures if you are interested.

 

[WYO]

I don't like ATV racks or scabbards. I just slight it across my chest. The gun takes a lot less of a beating that way. If I couldn't do that I would put it in a hard case and strap it to a front or rear rack.