Backpack/Bug out .22 rifle - Which is best?

A

Addicted2Shooting

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I'm hoping to get some good information here...

Alright, so the Henry repeating arms US .22 survival rifle has been around for some time now and I'm sure most people are familiar with it.

Recently on the market however is the Ruger 10/22 take down rifle which appears to be not necessarily a new version of the Henry, but in the same category nonetheless.

I think both would make excellent backpack/bug out rifles for anyone looking for something light and compact with the ability to pack plenty of ammunition without adding a bunch of weight.

Both rifles have a cool factor to them, and the simple fact that they break down and can be stuffed into a pack relatively easy is just convenient when you're planning to be on the go.

I know there are significant differences between the two, but for an all around backpack/bug out gun (despite not being a large caliber),

What do you feel the pros and cons are of the two in comparison to one another in terms of weight, accuracy, dependability, ease of use, overall design and construction?

Thanks! I can't wait to hear what you have to say :)
 
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I went with the ruger. 25 round mags are a definite plus. The breakdown model is AWESOME, and would be a perfect when you need something collapsible. Also there's tons of aftermarket support for the ruger.

Don't get me wrong, the survival rifle is cool. But I really think the ruger is a better choice.
 
I agree in that I think the ruger is the better of the two rifles. If I remember correctly the henry survival rifle has had some issues in the past with reliability. Dont quote me on that though. I have two ruger 10/22's and they are great rifles. Hard to go wrong with a 10/22.
 
Even thought it's only been out a short time it's become pretty obviously that for value the 10/22 is the cream of the crop in the take down rifle market.

Too add a few: Take down kits to convert existing 10/22's have been on the market for some time, if you have the bucks Browning makes a very nice take down .22lr, Marlin had the papoose and in years past many many companies made take downs in all sorts of platforms. You also brought up the worst of the bunch, the AR7, which while an intriguing idea is not worth the materials used to make it.

LK
 
I almost got the Marliln version of this concept. It is basically the 795 with the fore end cut off at the point where the barrel attaches/detaches. The lack of fore end is what put me off - I thought it was kind of ugly, so I just got the regular 795. The new Ruger looks a lot better, because their solution was to split the fore end, and have part of it come off along with the barrel. It looks a heck of a lot better.
I haven't seen any real reports about performance on the new 10/22 takedown model, but if it turns out to have decent performance without spending a bunch on modifications, I might look at getting one for camping, backpacking.
The other possible issue is speed of deployment. I haven't seen anything about how fast it can be put together, and that is important. Having a rifle in two pieces is convenient for carrying on or in a pack, but it has to go together really quickly if it is going to be truly useful.
 
I've got all three

The Henry survival - Cheap pot metal cast aluminum receiver, mediocre accuracy (front sight is a rubbery plastic and gets all bent to hell when you store it in the stock). Zero aftermarket parts and terrible customer service.

Marlin Papoose have two - One 70P with the wood stock and one 70pss stainless with plastic stock. Good accuracy, good construction and materials and small selection of aftermarket mags, decent customer support. Sort of odd to shoot with no fore end. I'll add that they're expensive if and when you can find them on gunbroker. Took me almost a year to get the two that I wanted.

Ruger 10/22 - Extremely accurate, great construction, a zillion aftermarket mags etc. Great customer support and the price is right. I'd highly recommend the ruger.
 
Is it a choice of only those two? I'd just go with a 10/22 (non take down) with a folding detached pistol grip stock and a single point sling for transportation.

Put on your pack, sling the rifle on over and off you go. 25rd mags are great for the 10/22 and set up like I described above makes the gun short enough for easy transport, pistol grip makes the gun usable without the stock deployed and it's going to be easier to get up for use than having to take the gun out, assemble it and then finally deploy for use.
 
Addicted2Shooting
Backpack/Bug out .22 rifle - Which is best?
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I had the Henry Survival - wobbly stock & mediocre accuracy. Low capacity, too.

Don't know what kind of survival situation you're referring to, but I have a bunch of 10/22's and would take anyone one of them with a brick of 22LR and a few mags any day. Not too sure about the cost/benefit of the breakdown model, but if it actually maintains zero it would be a plus. Another option would be the Ruger 10/22 Charger. Really compact and light if you put it into an Axiom pistol stock. The 10" barrel will nearly max out any 22LR round in fps & energy. Mate it to a decent pistol scope and it will be a formidable survival tool in your backpack.

Someone also mentioned the Marlin Papoose, it's a good option as well, but limited in capacity.
 
I handled one of the 10/22 TD last week and will say that it is the real deal IF it will hold zero and maintain accuracy. The option for 25 round mags is a very worthwhile advantage in my book for the bug out scenario. Having 5-6 loaded mags would allow some serious lead slinging if that was needed. It appeared to me that it would take only a few seconds from zipping the case open to sending bullets. Maybe less than simply loading the Henry.
For my use, I'll just stick with my old 10/22 with a folding stock. Not quite as short as the TD but instantly ready-can be fired folded.
 
best

For my purposes, I went with the Springfield Armory M6 survival rifle, a take down .22LR/.410 O/U.
Very handy little gun. Unfortunately out of production. They are available used but have gotten quite pricey.
Pete
PS - I had one of the old AR7s by Charter Arms, an earlier version of the Henry gun. I have a TD Marlin Papoose. Neither works for me as well as the M6.
P
 
I don't understand the desire for a take down long gun. I can understand if space is extremely limited and you need to take the gun apart to make it shorter for storage but if you're going to be using it as a bug-out weapon, wilderness weapon and/or survival weapon why on earth would you want it in two parts and tucked away in a bag?

Personally I'd want a weapon I can deploy quickly - without the need to open a pack, pull out the pieces and re-assemble them before I can use the weapon. If you're in a bug-out, wilderness/survival situation I doubt you'll have that much time to really deploy a take-down weapon that has been taken down and stowed. In those situations if you need the weapon for hunting purposes (and if you're in a wilderness/survival situation you need to be constantly be on the watch for potential prey) you need to have the weapon available and ready at all times. A taken down weapon is less than ideal. If you're in a bug-out scenario you need a weapon you can have at ready for defensive and survival purposes - again a take down weapon is less than ideal.

Sure take-down weapons are cool and they take up less space but really even a carbine without a folding/collapsible stock on a sling is easily carried along with a full pack... at least in my experience.
 
I don't understand the desire for a take down long gun.
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Mostly just cool factor. A take down .22 is like the junior version of the super cool rifles that movie snipers carry around in innocent looking briefcases and then assemble once they get up on the roof.

As far as a bug-out scenario or wilderness survival, it is not optimal to have to put the rifle together before using it. Of course you could just always leave it assembled... or just get the non-takedown version.
 
I own the Marlin Papoose and recently reviewed the Ruger 10/22 Takedown. Not sure if the Henry requires any tools like the Marlin does but the Ruger requires no tools and that's a big plus to me. I also prefer the Ruger stock and the case is pretty nice too.
 
I agree that a "bugout rifle" should be ready to fire in the actual BO situation. BUT. The take down version is more easily stored in a large backpack/BO bag than a standard rifle. Also does not attract attention that might cause problems if left sitting in a duffel bag. In some cases, the 22 rifle might be a backup for a handgun and not the principal weapon-only needed later for foraging-not my plan but it could be someone's plan.
I've talked to backpackers who rode a train or bus to their starting point after leaving a vehicle at the terminus of their trip. A take down in a backpack would not be noticed at all while a gun case would. I'm talking about someone hiking the Appalachian Trail or the Rockies Summit Trail.
 
Snatch up one of the new Ruger Take Down 10/22's.....If you can find one...!
I have one,they are a really solid rifle,I have shot 5rds,taken it down,put it back together over and over,holds zero EVERY time....!
 
I've always liked takedown rifles and it all started with a Winchester model 92 takedown my father bought years ago. I think the AR7 is a great idea however from what I understand it was poorly executed. The 10/22 takedown I think will sell millions before it's over with, I will own one eventually, but it's not at the top of my to buy list.

Stu
 
hiking the Appalachian Trail or the Rockies Summit Trail.
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The bloody libs have made it so that firearms aren't even allowed on most of the Appalachian Trail. Even just having a disassembled firearm in a pack could land you in a heap of trouble. I don't know about the Rockies Summit Trail but if its the same way then you're asking for trouble carrying a firearm.

Of course if you do choose to do so anyway I highly doubt that its worthwhile. I mean think about it - let's say you've got your handy dandy take down 10/22 or AR7 or Winchester etc. stowed away in your pack because you don't want to alarm the libbies and antis while walking on their trail. You then come across a potential danger - let's say a black bear that won't back away. You now have x seconds before the bear charges you and mauls you. Can you deploy your weapon in that time under duress? What about at camp locations and let's say an unsavory type walks upon you while you're bedding down for the night - do you have the weapon assembled and at ready (obviously illegal and alarming for antis) or is it still broken down and in the pack? If the latter then what good does it do for you? Oh and against a black bear what good is a .22lr anyway?

Personally if I were hiking/camping out and wanted the carry a firearm for protection from wildlife or other dangers I'd just carry a handgun and stay away from places like the Appalachian Trail.
 
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