I'm considering purchasing a good backpack rifle in the near future. I want to take it hiking and maybe for overnight camping. I need something light due to hilly and mountainous terrain. Reliability is a "MUST". My thoughts are towards a Kel Tec Sub 2K or SU-16 CA. Any other suggestions?
Backpack Rifle?
- Thread starter troopcom
- Start date
If your fear is only bobcat or coyotes, you don't even need a backpack rifle. Neither of those would even think about bothering you unless they're rabid. If they are rabid, then a rifle in your backpack won't do you any good. The damage would be done long before you could drop your pack and get it out.
If you are really that worried, get a handgun and what ever permits are required in your state to carry it.
If you are really that worried, get a handgun and what ever permits are required in your state to carry it.
tahunua001
New member
it depends on what you need it for? as a backpack rifle do you need one that you can strap to the side of your pack or are you looking for one that breaks down and fits inside? do you want it for shooting squirrels and tweety birds around camp or do you want something that can deal with a charging animal?
if you just want to strap it to the outside of your pack and all you want is a fun gun for camp then a marlin 60 or 795 would both fit the bill perfectly. they're lightweight, compact and the ammo is lightweight and compact.
if you need to stop a charging black bear, cougar, coyote, or wolf, a marlin camp 9(9mm, discontinued and hard to find), marlin 336 or a winchester 94(both 30-30) would fit the bill quite nice.
if you are looking at something that can stop a grizzly or a moose then a marlin 1894 in 45/70 or 44 mag or a thompson center contender in 45/70 would do the trick. the contender is the lightest weight and can break down to fit inside the pack but it's only a single shot gun so you better be a good marksman under stress if you go that route. I for one pack a 45 acp handgun on my hip if I'm out hiking. if I need it in a hurry then I dont have to take the pack off and fumble with straps, I just draw, aim and fire. and it'll stop anything short of a grizzly and after a 13 round magazine he probably wont much feel like the idea of eatin' me no more neither.
if you just want to strap it to the outside of your pack and all you want is a fun gun for camp then a marlin 60 or 795 would both fit the bill perfectly. they're lightweight, compact and the ammo is lightweight and compact.
if you need to stop a charging black bear, cougar, coyote, or wolf, a marlin camp 9(9mm, discontinued and hard to find), marlin 336 or a winchester 94(both 30-30) would fit the bill quite nice.
if you are looking at something that can stop a grizzly or a moose then a marlin 1894 in 45/70 or 44 mag or a thompson center contender in 45/70 would do the trick. the contender is the lightest weight and can break down to fit inside the pack but it's only a single shot gun so you better be a good marksman under stress if you go that route. I for one pack a 45 acp handgun on my hip if I'm out hiking. if I need it in a hurry then I dont have to take the pack off and fumble with straps, I just draw, aim and fire. and it'll stop anything short of a grizzly and after a 13 round magazine he probably wont much feel like the idea of eatin' me no more neither.
m.p.driver
New member
When we used to spend weeks in the woods/on the river i packed a Ruger 10-22 with a synthetic stock.Provided many a squirrel,rabbit,and anything feathered and edible.For anything larger i toted a .45 Blackhawk.
tahunua001
New member
sorry I missed your second post. bobcats and coyotes are highly unlikely to attack you though it's been stated already that if they're rabid then you may already be bitten if it's on your back and if it's a cougar that's pouncing from a tree branch overhead then it will also be ineffective but for laying around camp and suck a marlin 1894 is 357 or 44 will do very good and just about any 9mm carbine will do the trick for what you're looking for another option that I just rememered would be a rossi circuit judge, it can take both colt 45 and 410 shot shells so it could double as both an animal defense and food gathering gun.
I can see where some people would prefer a rifle for various reasons.
My suggestion is, however, unless you have a really great reason for a rifle, get a .357 and a shoulder holster.
Carry it with 158 grain soft point or solid lead, in case of large critters, such as hog, specifically. they are EVERYWHERe, and will, even without provocation, occasionally attack. The .357 will be available right then, right there, and it can drop a medium hog.
Carry a box or so of shot cartridges, or a box of assorted shot and extra light .38 loads for small camp meat snakes, or pests.
If you can't shoot a pistol, well, go with a rifle, but still, consider a small folding stock shotgun instead, maybe.
My suggestion is, however, unless you have a really great reason for a rifle, get a .357 and a shoulder holster.
Carry it with 158 grain soft point or solid lead, in case of large critters, such as hog, specifically. they are EVERYWHERe, and will, even without provocation, occasionally attack. The .357 will be available right then, right there, and it can drop a medium hog.
Carry a box or so of shot cartridges, or a box of assorted shot and extra light .38 loads for small camp meat snakes, or pests.
If you can't shoot a pistol, well, go with a rifle, but still, consider a small folding stock shotgun instead, maybe.
OK OK!!! TX Hunter you got me. Yes I would like to purchase another rifle. Who wouldn't? The area I would be hiking and camping in is rugged area. I just like the comfort of a rifle along side me out in the wilderness. Maybe it's just me. I just wanted something light and easy to carry, but is also reliable. And yes with "Meth" rampid nowdays you never know what or who you might run across! I could carry a handgun, but would prefer a rifle.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
I have a 12ga "italian folder"/"FS1" cut down to minimum lengths. I am buying a 9mm and 22lr 10" barrell insert from MC ACE. Puts me in pretty good shape with almost no equipment. Of course, a bear mauling might not be much worse than firing a 12 GA slug out of the thing. I don't plan to find out unless I need to.
If I was still in the frame of mind to put a pack on my back and go out walking up and down mountains, I would consider a Marlin 30-30 or .44 magnum which are both lightweight which would be a must with backpacking and carry enough punch to protect you from creatures up to black bear size.
Otherwise, it would be a .44 magnum in cross carry bandolier holster as the right woods gun in just about any place in North America.
As quite a few folks have stated, it all depends on what you want.
Otherwise, it would be a .44 magnum in cross carry bandolier holster as the right woods gun in just about any place in North America.
As quite a few folks have stated, it all depends on what you want.
Have you considered a combination gun?
A Savage model 24 might fit the bill. I think the most common models have a .22 magnum on top of a .410 shotgun. Though you can get them in either a 20 or 12 gauge. Mine is a .22. LR over a 20 gauge full choke. That is what I take on trail hikes. They are not the easiest to find but not all that hard. Prices range around $300 though I got lucky and got mine for $120 earlier this year.
A Savage model 24 might fit the bill. I think the most common models have a .22 magnum on top of a .410 shotgun. Though you can get them in either a 20 or 12 gauge. Mine is a .22. LR over a 20 gauge full choke. That is what I take on trail hikes. They are not the easiest to find but not all that hard. Prices range around $300 though I got lucky and got mine for $120 earlier this year.