Best compact .22 rifle for backpacking?

M

MatthewVanitas

New member
Greetings. I was wondering what reccommendations people have for the best compromise between portability, accuracy, etc. in a backpacking 22 rimfire rifle. I've looked over a few options:

SA M6 Scout: seems kind of clunky didn't like it when I picked it up in a shop, don't really want the double gun option.

AR-7, etc.: heard they're innaccurate, would prefer bolt or single-shot over semi.

Chipmunk/Cricket kids' rifles: seem pretty slick, I've heard good things about them even for grown folks, any comments?

I've also seen an ultralight folding 22 rifle, fully skeletalized made of steel tubing, folded down to 18", don't recall who made it, just saw their website once.
Also saw a website for a company that made some ultralight compact 22 rifles that looked kind of like a Carbon-15. Any idea where that site might be at?

Any reccommedations much appreciated, just got to poke around the Bureau of Land Mgmt. land here in Central California, nice place to tromp around and plink indeed (yes, that's allowed in many locations, I got the info packet from BLM).

Take care all,
-LCPl Matthew Boris

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--Capitalism isn't a program or a system like "socialism," but a description of reality like "the Pythagorean theorem." Deal with it.
 
LCpl Boris, I know you didn't like the "double gun option". But you owe it to yourself to check out a Savage 24-C "Camper's Companion", if you can find one. These were offered in 20ga. 3" Mag Cyl. Bore with a .22LR barrel up top. They could be taken down and fit in a fairly compact carry case. The .22LR barrel was accurate in the extreme! I used one of these is metalic silhouette (scoped) and did quite well against some better equipped shooters. If Savage would have got the idea to bring out a choked tube model, this would be the ideal camp game getter! Still works pretty good as is!

A Ruger 10-22 with a Ramline or other folder might also be an option. First check on the legality of this combo in your area! I think it's still OK to have one of these but am not SURE with all the goofy laws out there!

Regards! DaMan

[This message has been edited by DaMan (edited August 26, 2000).]
 
From what I have heard, the M6 Scout is one of the best. The trigger takes getting used to but it doubles as a 410 and you can store shells or flares in the stock.
 
The li'l Browning take-down .22 auto's a beautiful piece & a great part of history - a classic. After carrying around a bull-bbl 10/22, the Browning's a dream - pretty lightweight.

Don't personally care for the scope mount as it's a cantelever design that sticks out past the chamber, making the bbl end quite a bit longer when took down. Besides, the button on the mount cams across the receiver top & mars the finish = yuk. Talked to a 'smith just yesterday about doing a scout-scope forward Weaver rail on mine w/LER scope in a sub-compact ~1.5X6 .... on the list.

BTW, Norinco (ew!) makes a copy for way cheap(er) .... don't buy it.
 
I have an M6 Scout in .22LR/.410 and I really like it. It does take some getting used to but it is very accurate and effective.

I also have an old Mossberg Model 30 in .22LR. It is a bolt action single shot. The barreled action is attatched to the stock by a knurled thumb screw and the whole thing comes apart in seconds. It is very accurate. I don't know what year it was made but I only paid about $50 for it. I't's not pretty but it works great! Now if only I could find the receiver sight that was made for it!
I also have on old Steven's Lil Scout. It is a falling block single shot that also come apart with a thumb screw. It is very short and light but I think it is collectable. I've seen them go for upwards of $200.
If the M6 doesn't do it for you I'd encourage you to start hitting your local gun shops and shows and look at some of the older, used stuff that's out there. There are a lot of old but serviceable .22s out there that will do exactly what you want for well under $100.
 
I've always been a fan of the Ruger 10/22. I've owned both the Sporter and the Target models. Even with a 20" barrel, they're handy, more accurate than I am, and lots of fun to shoot.
 
I have a Savage Camper Special in .22LR/20 ga, like it very much. It is quite compact and quite accurate in .22, but has the usual 12 pound trigger. A little hefty but steady.I play with it occasionally and will probably eventually make a better case for it than the plastic and cloth one that came with it.

Alternative ideas: The new Stevens Favorite at about $200; got my wife one. Very light, compact, handy. Trigger pull makes the Savage above feel light, but it can be managed.

Marlin 15Y youth gun, single shot bolt action .22; scaled down version of their standard 80 series rifles. Better designed and proportioned than the others, light, can be used by kids or adults; any sights can be fitted and trigger more manageable. Of course any similar youth gun, factory or user-modified, will serve just as well.

My choice would be the Marlin.

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I guess I'll go along with Labgrade on the Browning takedown .22, in large part due to the accuracy. "Hideability" in one's pack isn't a bad idea, either.

FWIW, Art
 
My experience with the Springfield M-6 Scout has been positive. It's made by CZ in the Czech Republic. The stainless version would seem the optimum choice. In addition to having the .410 option for taking small birds, ammunition can be stored in the stock to make a neat, compact, and handy package.

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God made us in his own image.
Thomas Jefferson made us free.
John Browning made us equal.

Without Browning, we might not know about the other two...
 
Robert, that trigger on the 24-C can be improved quite a bit by a good gunsmith. I had mine worked on by a German gunsmith, who really knew what he was doing, and it now has a very acceptable pull and is still safe.

Do the new Stevens "favorites" have the takedown screw like the old ones? My grandpa used to have one that the barrel and forearm could be removed from the action. It was fairly compact when broken down in this fashion and also quite accurate.

Yes, the little Browning would also be an excellent choice for a camp gun.

Regards! DaMan
 
LCpl Matthew Boris,

You might consider a T/C Contender .22 rifle.

I got my stocks and rifle barrel through Fox Traders (I think was the name.) Just a couple screws and you have pistol or rifle..., and an extremely *accurate* pistol or rifle, at that.
 
Before you buy anything check out the Marlin Papoose. It is always overlooked but I'll take it over any of these single shots anytime.
 
I have a Marlin Papoose. It's a great little camping rifle. Stainless steel barrel and black synthetic stock, it looks pretty good. Mine is quite accurate with Stingers. Lots of fun. Weighs 3.5 lbs. I looked at the Henry's also, but the Papoose seemed much more robust. I'm very pleased with my little "break-down" rifle. It's worked out better than I had hoped.

Will

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Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
I have the Norinco Browning knockoff which is difficult to find and got a bad rap. Anyway, I have a lot of fun shooting it and have had zero reliability issues with good accuracy. Parts are readily available for the Norinco, but not interchangeable with the real Browning. The major difference is price and the fit/finish of the real "Browning" is clearly superior. However, for a backpack/drag it in the dirt type gun, the Norinco serves my purpose.
 
Da Man, The action pins in my M24 are heavily staked in and would be a bear to remove and replace. I realize it could be done, and maybe I will some day. Good future project. In the meantime I am a DA revolver shooter and manage to make out OK.

The new Stevens is NOT a takedown. The barrel is transversely pinned with a 3/16" pin. I suspect it could be removed occasionally, and perhaps converted to a takedown in other ways. Perhaps someone ought to suggest that to the makers. It certainly would be a shorty.

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I love my Ruger 10/22. Hogue stock and an IMI carbon graphite barrel. Tasco World class plus 3.5-10 and Volq parts throughout. Damn thing shoots great and easy to hump around.

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Vern
 
Re: the Thompson Contender carbine. Got one of those, excellent carrying around item. The only reason I just don't straight up use that for a backpacking .22 is that it still 5.5 lbs, which I realize is pretty darn light, but a lot more than the 2.5 lbs of the Chipmunk or such.
The only "downside" of the Contender as a .22 is that, though it makes a wonderful light, short .22 carbine, it also makes a light, short, elephant gun (no joke, people have used the larger JDG wildcats on a stock Contender frame for that purpose), thus, the TC has more bulk in the action than a .22 needs.

So, I am looking into the Browning and Papoose, but still keeping an eye on the whole Chipmunk thing, the notion of what is practically a stocked pistol (just barely legally long enough) is appealing, and lighter than a single action .44

Thanks to all for their advice, if I end up coming across anything interesting when I choose, I'll post it here.

-LCpl Boris

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--Capitalism isn't a program or a system like "socialism," but a description of reality like "the Pythagorean theorem." Deal with it.
 
I use a old remington mdl 61, it shoots the ole standby, s,l,lr....its pump action feeds through a tube under the barrel, and it comes with a takedown screw on it and easily taken apart and is accurate......I still occasionally run accros them in stores and a similar version although I dont recall the number is the hammer version it has the same features and generally are not that expensive, the barrel can be shortned to your taste.......fubsy.
 
You take a rifle backpacking? I just got back from a trip to the Sierra Nevadas. The last thing I needed or wanted on this trip was a rifle. Everything else was heavy enough.

To each his own. Now my Glock 27 made the trip very nicely.
 
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