Any suggestions on a lightweight hiking/pack rifle?

Right now I'm thinking of picking up another Cricket kid's 22 and mating a folding stock of some kind to it. Should have less than $140 in the entire package.

Is there something off the shelf that won't break the bank?

What is the 22 rifle that breaks down and folds into it's own buttstock, floats etc? Survival gun?

what is the intended use of this rifle?

Henry...

http://www.chuckhawks.com/survival_rifles.htm

what is the intended use of this rifle?

Small game, plinking, minimalist backwoods protection.

what is the 22 rifle that breaks down and folds into it's own buttstock, floats etc? Survival gun?

ar-7

That AR-7 is sweet, and the price ain't bad either :eek:

I would pick up a 6-8 inch 22 revolver, or a cheaper Rossi 357 and pop some little critters with some wadcutters over 2.8 grains of unique in a 38 case.

I really like my Henry so far for a 22. I may be selling my 10/22 with all the goodies to get another I like it so much. Light, shoots great open sites to 100 yards and really packs well.

If you want more power then a CZ American would be my next choice my 22 Hornet has performed well on squirrels to coyotes so far and is really light and nice. The last coyote I dumped at 75yards running in and my partner was amazed at the way he crumpled. He bought a 22-250 since that is what the videos told him and hadnt seen performance like that on a coyote yet :grinpimp:

could also go for something in .17 cal or 5mm is also making a comeback. Just some more options on calibers nto sure if they make the kind of gun liek you want in those calibers though.

I'd look at those floating rifles too.

A Marlin Papoose would be worth a look also.
Have had one for several yrs,small compact package,shoots good.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/SelfLoading/70PSS.asp

ar-7

I've had an AR-7 for years, it's been a great pack rifle...

What's wrong with taking a real rifle with you? Not that the AR-7 is any less of a rifle.. but.. seriously.. every time I go hunting - it's just like taking my gun for a long walk. I hunt with a full pack - can't be that much different than hiking gear?

What's wrong with taking a real rifle with you? Not that the AR-7 is any less of a rifle.. but.. seriously.. every time I go hunting - it's just like taking my gun for a long walk. I hunt with a full pack - can't be that much different than hiking gear?
It's probably much heavier than the vast majority of peoples hiking gear. Heck, your hunting load is undoubtedly much heaveir than my backpacking one.. but I don't carry backpacking either.

What's wrong with taking a real rifle with you? Not that the AR-7 is any less of a rifle.. but.. seriously.. every time I go hunting - it's just like taking my gun for a long walk. I hunt with a full pack - can't be that much different than hiking gear?

I'm looking for light, and not really looking to have to carry around a rifle on it's own, I'd want it packed away.

Cool - I was just curious. Have an aversion to pistols?

Blows the "cheap" out of the water any way I can come up with, but I keep thinking Krink sidefolder.

PBB bonus gunfawkery points for making one out of scrap aluminum and a door hinge. :laughing:

Cheap is relative.

What does a "good" 1911 go for?

You could probably assemble a Krinkov kit, plus the tax stamp for ~$1300 or so.

Doh! I just reread my post and realized it doesn't quite make sense the way I was intending it.

I meant Cricket .22 + Krink sidefolder = light compact pack rifle... with bonus points for a DIY Krink stock grafted on with a door hinge. Double bonus for starting with a pink Cricket.

Kel-tec sub 2000?

Compact...


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=194&pictureid=2899

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=194&pictureid=2898

Short double barrel 2o guage with screw in chokes one of which is rifled for slugs. Light easy to handle and it breaks down into two pieces. For the ultimate adapt you favorite folding stock to it.

How about a 22 pistol?
I have looked at "pack rifles" and found a 22 pistol to be a whole lot more handy.

How about a 22 pistol?
I have looked at "pack rifles" and found a 22 pistol to be a whole lot more handy.

I have to agree with this.

I think the .22 survival rifles are neat and I'd like to add one to the collection, but I don't see how they are that much more useful than a pistol.

How about a 22 pistol?
I have looked at "pack rifles" and found a 22 pistol to be a whole lot more handy.

More handy, how?

I'm not ruling one out (I just sold one, actually) but the idea of a cricket with a folding stock seems more and more appealing to me for cost and "fun" factor.

We have the Keltec 2000. It is a very neat gun to shoot, but you would have to make some sort of cover to keep garbage out of the barrel and action where it folds at. Looks to be very easy to get dirt in there.

It can also be picky about what it wants to shoot.



As far as pistol vs. rifle, I would think if I hadn't eaten in a few days and I finally saw something 50 yds. out, I would rather be shooting with a rifle.

Just my opinion

A ruger or browning auto is far more fun to plink with down by the creek than a cricket.
It adds more of challenge when you decide to go shoot a squirrel or varmit.
They shoot just as good, if you can shoot a pistol.

A ruger or browning auto is far more fun to plink with down by the creek than a cricket.
It adds more of challenge when you decide to go shoot a squirrel or varmit.
They shoot just as good, if you can shoot a pistol.

I'll be honest - I'm far better with a rifle as far as I can tell with my limited pistol shooting.

The biggest problem with the Cricket is the stock length - far too short to use the sights. Graft on a longer folding stock and I think it would fit my intended uses perfectly.

Maybe that is why you should start toting a pistol and a couple boxes of ammo.
I find myself plinking around with a 22 pistol more so than any other gun I own.
I like to carry the CCI CB shorts, they sound about like a pellet rifle. I can shoot them without ear protection and about any where there are no people.

If you shoot enough, you will get good.

What about a .22 pistol or revolver with an aimpoint or low-power scope?

Maybe that is why you should start toting a pistol and a couple boxes of ammo.
I find myself plinking around with a 22 pistol more so than any other gun I own.
I like to carry the CCI CB shorts, they sound about like a pellet rifle. I can shoot them without ear protection and about any where there are no people.

If you shoot enough, you will get good.

But the goal here isn't to get good at a pistol, it's to carry a lightweight firearm when hiking or minimalist camping.

Does it have to be in .22LR? Check out a used Winchester '94, or a Marlin 1894 in .357Mag/.38Spc.

Edit: Or a marlin 60, if you absolutely want .22lr. Cheap gun, great performance.

I like the little henry lever rifles too....and the big boy ones as well

I think some of you have a different idea of "lightweight pack/hiking rifle" than I do :confused: :p

How about a 22 pistol?
I have looked at "pack rifles" and found a 22 pistol to be a whole lot more handy.

Ditto, I carry a single six myself though I do have an old Rem bolt that does a decent job as well. The single six is carried mostly when fishing and the rifle when its a hiking jaunt. The elegant thing about my single six is that I also have the .22 WMR cylinder...

D.

I think some of you have a different idea of "lightweight pack/hiking rifle" than I do :confused: :p
ya think? :laughing:

I've shot the Keltec David, they're kind of a fun carbine.. esp in 9mm. If I really wanted a survival rifle I'd take that over .22long. Worried about dirt? Get a stuffsack.

that being said, almost every rifle out there is just too heavy/large for me to bother with simply hiking.

I think some of you have a different idea of "lightweight pack/hiking rifle" than I do :confused: :p
How about an AR-10? It's only 15 pounds and 3.5 feet long... After it's SBR'd :laughing:

A 30-30 levergun is pretty damn heavy for hiking, and kinda tough to stuff into a pack.

Savage makes the Stevens model 30 in a takedown version too.

http://www.savagearms.com/30gtd.htm

http://www.savagearms.com/images/rimfire/17rem/30r17td.jpg

Kel-tec sub 2000?

Compact...


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=194&pictureid=2899

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=194&pictureid=2898

^^^^This^^^^
Available in 9mm or .40
Fits in a backpack easily and can be carried loaded, then folded. Open, flip off safety, and fire.

ya think? :laughing:

I've shot the Keltec David, they're kind of a fun carbine.. esp in 9mm. If I really wanted a survival rifle I'd take that over .22long. Worried about dirt? Get a stuffsack.

that being said, almost every rifle out there is just too heavy/large for me to bother with simply hiking.

I hear ya, and might look into the kelTec...

But I am reeeeeeal tempted to pick up a Cricket on the way home today and see if I can butcher it into what I want :cool2:

I hear ya, and might look into the kelTec...

But I am reeeeeeal tempted to pick up a Cricket on the way home today and see if I can butcher it into what I want :cool2:

How about a TC or an H&R/Rossi single shot?

The H&R can be had new for $200ish in 22LR or Mag/22Hornet/223 or whatever.

Light easily butchered and cheap.

Kel-Tec SU-16? .223 and folds up nicely

I think some of you have a different idea of "lightweight pack/hiking rifle" than I do :confused: :p

Troof. Honestly, I carry some sort of handgun when I'm hiking or camping, and a lot of those are heavier than several of the rifles that have been mentioned in this thread :laughing:.

A 30-30 levergun is pretty damn heavy for hiking, and kinda tough to stuff into a pack.

I disagree on the heavy part, but not on the pack part :p. I've found a Win '94 to be very comfortable with a sling, though, and .30-30 is plenty enough for most animals you'll run into around here.

Troof. Honestly, I carry some sort of handgun when I'm hiking or camping, and a lot of those are heavier than several of the rifles that have been mentioned in this thread :laughing:.



I disagree on the heavy part, but not on the pack part :p. I've found a Win '94 to be very comfortable with a sling, though, and .30-30 is plenty enough for most animals you'll run into around here.
it is, but at over 5lbs mine weighs is more than my sheltering load backpacking.

I think some of you have a different idea of "lightweight pack/hiking rifle" than I do :confused: :p

Probably the simplest lightweight I ever ran into was one my dad "built" in the late '30s as a kid.
Take a Stevens Favorite .22, clip the barrel back to 12", chop the stock off mares laig style and drill 2 holes 1/4" dia about 2" appart, then bend up a wire frame stock out of 1/4" round bar covered with elecricians tape (cloth type not plastic). Tape on a large cinnamon can and we now have, albeit illegal compliments of silencer/barrel length issues, one genuine gopher gun used in town in Missoula on the gophers in grandmas garden... :D

It weighed in at around 2 lb...and no I dont have it, its too illegal to have around... :D

D.

I always carry a side arm whenever I am out, but I have this little guy in my collection that will teach my son with.
Firearms intl.
.22 short, long or long rifle

I always carry a side arm whenever I am out, but I have this little guy in my collection that will teach my son with.
Firearms intl.
.22 short, long or long rifle
Damn that looks like my old Bauer rabbit .22/.410 over under

Aggro - that is EXACTLY what I want :(

When my cousin's grandmother died, one came up at her estate auction. My cousin wanted it - and I couldn't bring myself to bd against him. But man, I wanted that thing BAD.


My plan right now is to tear down my Cricket and see what it looks like with the stock off and decide if I can modify it for my needs.

Aggro - that is EXACTLY what I want :(

When my cousin's grandmother died, one came up at her estate auction. My cousin wanted it - and I couldn't bring myself to bd against him. But man, I wanted that thing BAD.


My plan right now is to tear down my Cricket and see what it looks like with the stock off and decide if I can modify it for my needs.

there was one on gunbroker yesterday for $60...

X2 on the KelTec in .223. Can't get away from the weight but it folds.

Just found this on gunbroker Remington Mod SPR94 22/410
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=122260207

Savage 24 30-30/20
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=122362864

How about a TC or an H&R/Rossi single shot?


I bought my son one of the Rossi youth models in 17 HMR. Paid $130 out the door. Tiny gun and way better quality than the cricket.

there was one on gunbroker yesterday for $60...

Sold for $60?

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=122332237

A little higher than that right now :(

David I have a Marlin papoose I would let go cheap. Just like this one but cheaper. Might even trade for AK mags

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=122429381

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/122429000/122429381/pix157240531.jpg
http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/122429000/122429381/pix157240234.jpg

your not bothered with teh single shot of the cricket?

Sold for $60?

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=122332237

A little higher than that right now :(

HOLY SHI_!
Thats the one I saw, thats rediculous. I got mine for $50 and felt robbed but it was a "have to have" for the collection.
They used to sell for $9 to $12 at gas stations!!!!

HOLY SHI_!
Thats the one I saw, thats rediculous. I got mine for $50 and felt robbed but it was a "have to have" for the collection.
They used to sell for $9 to $12 at gas stations!!!!

Hell that Papoose is almost 250.........

I have a stainless 10/22 and a stainless mini 14, both with folding stocks and hicap mags that fit in a hiking pack.
I also carry a S&W 629 in 44 mag if space is limited.

I also carry a ruger single six a lot as the others suggested. To me it's the same principle of having a 3" pocket knife in your pocket at all times vs having a 12" rambo blade packed away somewhere...it's almost useless.

But, have you thought of an AR pistol? Could even fire .22 and .223 out of the same rifle (pistol). Pretty damn accurate as well.

:edit: I think a springfield M6 would be fawking awesome too, if you could find one.

Mini-14 with a folding stock

I bought my son one of the Rossi youth models in 17 HMR. Paid $130 out the door. Tiny gun and way better quality than the cricket.

I disagree about the quality.
Rossi is notorious for quality issues.
I have never heard any issues with the cricket.

I was in Savanah TN this weekend and a gun shop actually had one of the AR-7's in stock (price tag of $250 BTW). I was amazed in person just how BIG that stock is to be able to stuff the rest of the rifle in there :eek:

Neat concept, but just seems way bulky.