Backpacking Shotgun?

W

Wraith

New member
I have been planning to do some extended stay backpacking and hiking in the near future. I have been thinking about a firearm to bring along.

I was going to bring my SKS as it is cheap and handy. My other options are a 10-22 and Remington Model 7. I love the model 7, but in 7mm-08 it is a potent cartridge and don't really want to shoot critters with it.

So... any suggestions on a LIGHT shotgun, 16-20-28 gauge? I prefer 16 for no particular reason. I just need something light. Most of the singles I've handled are heavy!

Thanks for the replies.

Forgot to mention... this will be in mountainous new england. So heavy cover and rough terrain, some lakes and water.
 
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How about this? Comes in .40, and someone mentioned possibly .45 soon...

http://www.kel-tec.com/prod03.htm

The thing is darn slick, folds in half and weather won't affect it with the polymer. You can even specify which mags you want to use (Glock, Sig, Beretta etc).

I'm not really sure what you want to use it for though.
 
Hi Wraith, what are you going to be shooting? I will assume you want a foraging fun for small game rather than a rifle for protection against Bears.

In terms of pack guns I have carried an M6 survival rifle (.410 / .22 magnum) which I would discount for accuracy reasons, ditto for the Marlin Papoose semi auto if standard sights are used.

More recently I have acquired a Marlin 39 TDS which packs down nicely, and have used a Winchester 9422 in this role as well.

The 39TDS is now hard to get hold of and in any event is chambered for the LR rather than Magnum rimfire. I would suggest getting a Winchester 9422 Magnum and having its mag and barrel shortened to 16 1/4 inches. You will need to carry a little container to carry the bolt and bits and pieces though.

I would replace the factory sights with a Williams peep sight that will fit on the dovetail and a fine blade foresight.

The other alternative that I have experience with is the Contender Carbine. It will also do the job nicely, but does not pull apart as readily- you need a hammer to knock out a pin and a screw driver. It is a great firearm if you are looking at carrying a gun assembled rather than inside your pack.
 
Thanks.

Yeah, I should have been more specific.

I don't care about take-down, looking for a rifle or shotgun that will be used to take primarily small game, with the ability to take larger game if need be (deer).

I agree that the .22 LR is probably the best foraging cartidge, but I like the idea of a shotgun for versatility. Smaller and lighter is better, I would be willing to consider all gauges except 12 and .410 bore.

I don't like the idea of shooting a large animal with a .22, although I know the caliber can take deer if need be.
 
Hmm... I guess my suggestion would be a 870 in 18" configuration, no ext. mag. tube and pistol grip stock. Carried using a sling.

Although I dont usually recommend using a pistol grip, nor a sling for that matter, I feel for general backpacking, any shotgun of the big 4 would work great. They have been proven reliable and durable.

The pistol grip would make the shotgun much more compact. Not fun to shoot with the GP, but sometimes you just have to make sacrifices.

Good luck
 
Over the last 40 years and more, I've run across a good dozen woods runner shotguns that would fill the bill here. Most were US made single shots, including NEFs, H&Rs, IJ Champions, and one great looking Winchester 37 in 20 gauge.

All had some lightening done. The stock was either hollowed out, skeletonized and/or shortened. Some barrels were also bobbed, and the lightest of these came in around 5 lbs.

Few were 12 gauge, most were 20 gauge with a couple 16s in there also.

The downside, of course, is that light shotguns kick hard, requiring good form and a decent pad. Since something like this is carried miles between rare shots, t'is best to accept the tradeoff.

Savage's excellent Model 24 would work,with both 22LR and 20 gauge barrels, but the thing is no lightweight.

HTH....
 
id recommend a braztech - rossi matched pair in a 20g or 28g and a 22lr or 22mag barrel. you can also get a biger cal rifle barrel but id say it would get heavy. i have a 12g 22mag for treking through the woods and its very light and accurate. It cost $108 from wally world.
 
ohh so thats what thouse O/U 22/12gauges where for... i was wondering about that but now it makes perfect senice..

perhaps i'll look for one to take backpacking with me as well.
 
the o/u shotgun/rifle combination gun is quite versatile.

perhaps one in a smaller centerfire like .223, and then 20 gauge?
Savage makes a .223/12 gauge combo, or a .22LR/20 ga. combo. WallyWorld $483.00~$520.00
The 12 gauge may give you more options, carrying light recoil target loads and heavier stuff up to slugs. With the .223 you can take along the light HP bullets as well as the heavier FMJs as well. Might give you the versatility you need. Carry a variety of ammunition to fill any forseen needs.
Just my few pesos.
 
Thanks guys. I think I'll be trying to find a Rossi in 20 gauge to try out. I really don't want a pump or anything with too many parts. The Rossi also seems fairly light, at 5 something pounds.

Thanks for the suggestions.
 
How about a TC encore? this should give you a good variety of chambering options inc shotgun.

Sorry when I answered initially I had not noticed that you were specifically looking for a shotgun.
 
A trimmed down 12 ga winchester might be the ticket. You could cut down recoil and ammo weight and bulk by picking up some aguila 2" mini shells (winchester is the only gun that will cycle them reliably) in shot loads and/or slugs.
 
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