Backpacking/Hiking/"Survival" long gun...

ruger 10/22

i like the marlin model 60, but I prefer the speed of reloading with a box mag compared to a tube mag. Doesn't really matter when hunting, but it makes the gun more fun when plinking.

The 10/22 also has tons of after market parts out there available if that's your thing.
 
Model 39 is a quality .22 which will shoot straight and last forever. The model 60 is verges on junky, and the Rossi, I dunno.

Marlin Model 39 is your best bet, definately.
 
Erasmus said:
Model 39 is a quality .22 which will shoot straight and last forever. The model 60 is verges on junky, and the Rossi, I dunno.

Marlin Model 39 is your best bet, definately.
Click to expand...

I can't disagree with the 39 being quality but I can disagree with the 60 being on the verge of junky. I've had my 60FS for almost ten years and its a well built rifle. Granted, mine isn't the stock model, but its more accurate than I am, and it only set me back $129.

The trigger is a bit heavy and isn't as clean as I'd like, but its better than I'd expect for a .22 that you can still find for $99.

The same micro-groove rifling is in both the 39 and 60. Both are tube fed so neither will have a free-floated barrel.

I won't say the 60 is better than the 39, but its far from junky.

OK, all that said, find a Remington Nylon 66! You'll love it. :D
 
Have you heard of the marlin papoose? Semi auto mag fed, and best of all the barrel comes off for backpacking, 3 1/4 pounds. I bought one recently, amazing little rifle.
marlinpic607720.jpg
 
Of those choices, the 39 will handle everything from a bbcap to a Stinger.

One other nice thing about it is, it's self-contained. Yes, the 10-22 can reload faster (is that important in the field?) but ONLY if you have another loaded magazine ready to go.

I went camping once and I had a 10-22 in the car and decided to do some small game hunting. For whatever reason, I didn't have a magazine for the 10-22, so I hunted with it as a single shot. Granted, had I planned to hunt small game with the 10-22 from the get-go, I would've/should've checked it before leaving, but in any event, the 39 wouldn't ever have that concern.

The 39 also breaks down, if that's important for you to pack carry it.

.
 
I would never take a long gun backpacking unless I was hunting and if I was hunting I'd take whatever gun was appropriate.

Instead I'd just buy whatever kind of gun I enjoyed shooting and enjoy it.
 
I sure do like my 10-22. An aftermarket folding stock would make it pretty compact.

This one is just a bit heavy... but works well on squirrels and such.

b5d32c0f.jpg
 
Those are a lot of tasks for one gun to tackle. When you throw survival into it, I start thinking about food procurement and possible defense against various nasties.

It's hard to beat a simple 12ga pump when it comes to doing all that. Dead reliable, fairly innocent looking to most,, light, capable of taking small game or big game, or solving two legged problems. Very little to break on it.

Next bet would be a .22 bolt gun. I don't like a semi-auto for the woods. I'd be taking (and often do) my Savage MkII. Very light, very rugged. Good irons.

Possible substitutes could include the Marlin .357 1894C, various other .22 bolt guns, single shot 12ga, etc.
 
Liam Ryan said:
Have you heard of the marlin papoose? Semi auto mag fed, and best of all the barrel comes off for backpacking, 3 1/4 pounds. I bought one recently, amazing little rifle.
marlinpic607720.jpg
Click to expand...

How well does the rifle hold zero after removing the barrel?
 
I've thought about buying on of those marlin papoose rifles also. How reliable are they and do they hold zero after reinstalling the barrel?
 
My one and only is the Marlin 981T, bolt action .22lr. 1" group accuracy at 100 yards and I'm sure it will shoot accurately well beyond that point.
 
i was lucky enough to get one of the last, new, stainless steel Springfield M6, .22/ .410 in the Denver Area years ago. I did some modifications and built a survival kit around it.

m6_accessories.JPG


for the .22 i carry CCI minimags and shorts. the .410 uses shotshells, 000 Buckshot. figure it'll keep me fed and the .410 buckshot would keep guests away.

if you can find one at a decent price, i highly recommend getting one. they have been discontinued for a few years, but ive seen them at gunshows.

- Eric
 
The Springer M6's are neat, but I had one growing up and just couldn't dig that trigger no matter how much I tried. I like the concept though...
 
How about the Kel Tec SU-16? Nice review over at equipped.org. Folds down to 27 inches, weighs only 4.6 lbs., and fires .223. Plus, the forestock folds down into a bipod. :D

su16A_01.jpg


I genereally carry my S&W 629 with 6.4" barrel with me, which weighs in at 3 lbs., 6 oz loaded. I do not typically carry a long gun into the woods unless I'm rifle hunting, which is rare these days. As HD said, in that event, I'd carry the rifle appropriate to my quarry.

For an extended woods walk, say of two weeks, it might be nice to have a meat gatherer.

-- FLIX
 
IMO, the ideal survival gun is a carbine in 22lr and it needs to be accurate. For just woods walking but not hunting, I'd probably prefer a handgun of some sort.
 
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