Lower 48 Pilot's Rifle

[Certaindeaf]

They generally work/function perfectly. However, many, if not all iterations are horribly inaccurate.

 

[Float Pilot]

One problem with the AR-7 type platforms is that the rear sight is on the receiver and the front sight is on the removable barrel. After a few installations they are seldom very tight and seldom aligned the same as they were when you sighted the rifle...

What do you fly, Floatpilot? (a float plane obviously, but what make/model/year)?

These days my personal instruction plane is an old PA-11. It is my 6th airplane and she is about ready to be replaced. I also teach in any plane a client may own. there are a lot of folks who have owned a C-180 or 185 for years and finally install floats when they can afford them. So they call me for a float rating. I have also been known to prostitute myself to other employers such as lodges (Beavers) when I need the extra income.

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I like to wear a floatation vest with some rudimentary gear stuffed in the pockets. ELTs fail in over 50% of all crash landings and since I fly off lakes which are sometimes 300 feet deep I figure my ELT might be far underwater soon after a landing boo-boo.

I have a flat tent in the lower back part of my float vest and some basic gear. This is an older photo (right) of the items in my vest,,,, so it has been updated some. I have a SPOT locator in my vest these days. I guess I forgot all about the Airlite eight-shot .22 that is in my float vest. It is so light I am always forgetting the darn thing is there.

The survival gear box is a small one made up for Super Cubs. I have long since replaced the MREs with freeze dried food bags which I repackaged with my vacuum sealer into flat shapes. The box acts like a seat, a water bucket and a step.

 

[henschman]

For that role, probably something like my FR-8 Spanish Mauser Scout rifle, in 7.62x51.

A .30-30 lever gun would work too. It would trade weight for power and range.

Here is my Scout rifle:

 

[OrangePwrx9]

I have a pair of Savage 24s to choose from. My favorite is a 24V in .223/20ga., the other is a 24F in .223/12. A little heavy, but breaking them down for stowage is no problem. A Savage 24 in .22RF/20 would be ideal, but they've gotten pricey.

Here in NY, flying over the Adirondacks can get you thinkin'...

 

[Float Pilot]

I always thought something like a Savage 24 with a 357 Maxium ( 375 Win lever or 444) upper barrel and a 20 gauge lower would be just fine..
In fact I always wondered if you could bore out a 30-30 to 357 max. I think they are the same rim size.

 

[Ignition Override]

CMDRSlander:

Was it reported that this stranded family died of thirst, hunger, possibly impact injuries?
I can't imagine that they landed on a smooth field or road in most of those areas. We flew just north of Denver on a recent return from Tucson, and none of the terrain looked smooth enough for a landing (but hard to distinguish from FL 350), even as low as 70 kts.

 

[mac66]

Here is a couple ideas...

This is an Ar7 with an aftermarket stock. I took the pistol grip off and reduced it to the minimum. 16" OAL when taken down. About 2lbs. Holds three mags under the rubber bands (inner tube bands).



Another take down option is an H&R/NEF single shot. This one is shown with the 12ga bbl. The pouch holds 20 rounds. In 20 ga. the buttstock pouch holds 7 shells outside and 20 inside or a combination of caliber reducers and other ammo. Of course you can also use the handy rifle version in any caliber. I have 20 ga, and 357 mag barrels for this gun all cut down to the legal minimum length. The 357 mag is pretty versatile out of rifle. It can be loaded up or down. Some people bore out the 357 mag to 357 max. Then you can use anything from light .38 spls up to heavy .357 max loads.The dime is the take down tool.

 

[2@low8]

mac66 - Can the shotgun barrel on the H&R/NEF receiver be swapped out for a rifle barrel or is the rifle receiver different?

 

[mac66]

H&R/NEF Rifle and shotgun barrels are interchangeable. However the earlier H&R pre 1988 receivers were cast iron, post 88 were steel. The cast iron receivers (case hardened) can take any shotgun barrel, pistol caliber barrels and any low pressure rifle calibers (ie. 30-30, 35 Rem, 444, 45-70 etc). The steel receiver ones including NEF shotguns and handi rifles can take anything including high pressure rifle rounds (308 family, 30-06 family, .223 and other modern rifle rounds).

It should be noted that barrels need to be fitted to specific receivers. It is not hard to do but you do have to know how to.

Also be aware that 12 ga bbls and some of the rifle cartridges on these things kick like a mule, particularly, buck and slugs. 20 ga is not too bad, and even hot loaded .357s are pretty mild.

 

[kludge]

My heart says 16" lever action Trapper Carbine in .45 Colt.

My mind says Kel-Tec SU-16A 19" barrel. Very light, very compact, much more potent than a .22LR and not much more space needed for 3-4 magazines with ammo, but it comes with two 10-rounders that fit in the stock. Or one 30 rounder will fit in the stock.

 

[RPRNY]

1) 16" lever gun in 30-30;
2) H&R 20 ga in a Survivor stock with survival equipment
3) H&R 357 Mag in same Survivor stock and equipment

 

[2@low8]

mac66 - Thanks for the very specific reply. I have the case colored receiver that you mentioned with a 20 gauge barrel, so I think a 30-30 rifle barrel would be a nice compliment to it for a pilot’s survival combo.

I’ve shot a lot of small game with it, mostly squirrels and doves, so it’s a proven game getter. The rifle barrel in 30-30 would be a plus if you were to find fresh deer, hog or other large game tracks at your location.

Also, when I fly in private airplanes I always carry my CW as a continuing precaution against predators of any kind. The exception being when I go to a State that doesn’t honor my CWL, then it gets locked in a storage compartment until I get to more “friendly skies”.

 

[mac66]

The Survivor Stocks are pretty neat in that you can store stuff in them, though they tend to be heavier. The wood stock is ok. I've been looking on ebay for a plastic youth stock. They are lighter than the wood. The other thing to consider if you are looking for additional barrels. The ones that came on the youth versions of the handi rifles and shotguns are thinner and lighter than the regular ones. They still fit on the receiver but they are lighter. I wish I knew that when I first got my H&R topper shotgun. (cheap garage sale find )

Here is mine again, this time set up in 20ga. It is my truck gun. It rides around in my truck all the time. Kind of the "the things you see when you don't have gun" gun.



Another lighter option is a .410 bbl. can use shot or buck or slugs and carry a lot more ammo. I will probably add a .410 bbl to my collection.

 

[VBVAGUY]

My suggestion a .357 Magnum 16 inch carbine Rossi 92. Holds 9 rounds of 357 Magnum which is enough to take most of not all creatures in the lower 48 and the Rossi 92 only weighs about 6 pounds loaded. God Bless

 

[cfullgraf]

I agree with rcmodel and Float Pilot. Weight is a serious consideration in a light plane.

Also, in the lower 48, there is different needs depending on where you are flying. In the east, eating, drinking, surviving and signaling is more important as there is less dangerous animals. A 22 rimfire with lots of ammunition would weigh the least with the largest ammunition supply.

Out west, there are more numerous dangerous animals. But, still an abundance of 22 rimfire ammunition would be better with a few heavier caliber rounds for the occasional dangerous game. I would go with a combo gun like the Savage.

I used to be active with the Civil Air Patrol, and even in "populated" east Tennessee, there were several downed aircraft searches that it took several days to find the wreckage. I have read stories of crashes out west where the planes were found several years later or never found.

 

[Speedo66]

How about something small and relatively light like a Kel-Tec Sub2000 folding 9mm carbine?

More powerful than a .22, more accurate than a pistol. The Glock version takes most size 9mm Glock mags up to and including the 33 round model.

Price and availability (gun and ammo) may be an issue at this point though.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

I don't go anywhere that doesn't accept my Oklahoma Handgun License, and I carry when I fly*. I keep looking for a little short-barreled H&R rifle in .357 Magnum for those times when my ATI Strikeforce stocked Mini-14 won't do.

ECS

*(Don't go to those big airports. I hate to taxi.)

 

[Averageman]

 

[Gun Master]

Pilot's Rifle

I have the 2 above picture's gun in the form of AR-7 by Charter Arms, with a Mitchell Arms collapsing stock (which makes for smaller storage and quicker usage). This would be good for small game, but the area should also be considered. Think survival in Grizz country. The .45-70 also should be an option. An over&under with .22LR and .45-70 would be great! Don't know if any are currently being manufactured.

 

[JShirley]

If a normal-weight arm was okay, Remington 7600 in .35 Whelen.

A M4 stock can be fitted, if the user's okay with slightly less accuracy in return for compact storage.

 

[WhoMe?]

If I were flying over the lower 48 my concerns would be being located, treating injuries, dehydration, and exposure long before hunting food or self defense. If weight were really that much of a factor my allocation would be in accordance with my concerns. As such I would carry a Personal Locator Beacon, handheld aviation radio, first aid kit, water, etc. long before my weight was used up by firearms and ammo.

That being said, the OP is asking about the firearm. My suggestion would be a youth take-down single shot. I happen to use a Rossi 22 & 410 combo that is light and small. Ammo can be mixed and matched to suit your territory that trip. There are probably better choices but that is what I have.

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And don't forget a locking case if you plan to crash in New Jersey...

 

[JShirley]

I always thought the Rossis looked like neat little rifles, but my 7.62x39mm won't reliably fire even commercial US ammo...

 

[chitoryu12]

If you want something that can hunt small game AND defend you from a large animal or two-legged weirdo, I'd go with some kind of takedown shotgun: you can change the ammo type for different purposes. Though this does lead to the problem of not only needing to carry bulky shotgun shells (unless you get a .410), but needing a decent amount of multiple ammo types as well. Another obvious option is an over-under combination gun like the M6, though you've now got the problem of only being able to get one shot off from each caliber before needing a reload.

If it was me personally, I'd take a folding pistol caliber carbine or 5.56mm, like the Kel-Tec SUB-2000 or SU-16. The SU-16, if you get the right variation, also lets you store a mag or two in the stock to make for a more compact package.

 

[Robbins290]

H&r 20 gauge with a survivor stock. Got a fishing kit, geber pliers, 4 kinds of ammo (slug, buckshot, light target loads and heavy turkey loads) some gateraid energy chews, tp, a mini survival kit from bear grills. I tried to upload the pic. But having phone trouble. I will try again later

 

[bainter1212]

You guys seen those "Tuffy" .410s at Big 5?? They are tiny. Meant for kids. But would be perfect in a little suurvival bag behind an aircraft seat.