Backpack Rifle Choice?

Discussion in 'Hunters' Talk & Fish Tales -' started by ShotPlace, Jun 14, 2023.

  1. ShotPlace

    ShotPlace Active Member

    I am planning a backpacking trip for this upcoming November. I'm hoping to do some small game hunting... fox and coyotes at the largest. I'm seriously considering buying a 22 rifle and want to hear your opinions on which one to buy. I'm NOT looking to spend a lot of money. MY 300WM is my target rifle and money pit haha. So this one will be my budget rifle that will only be used on short backpacking trips for small game ONLY. It probably won't ever get shot past 50-100yds.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Mike Battista

    Mike Battista Mega Poster V I P

    Get a Ruger 10-22 Backpacker. Folds up, has three spare mags in the stock.
     
    ShotPlace likes this.
  3. Dobyns

    Dobyns Well-Known Member

    A 22LR doesn't pack enough punch for coyotes in my opinion.
     
  4. Ron fisher

    Ron fisher Mega Poster

    A 17 hmr much better than a .22..
     
    ShotPlace likes this.
  5. ShotPlace

    ShotPlace Active Member

    I find the 17 hmr very interesting. Do you know if Tikka or any popular brand has something nice in 17 hmr.
     
  6. 635 G

    635 G Mega Poster

    Get a back pack 410
     
  7. kolarbear

    kolarbear Member

    In general , a good backpack rifle for your small game hunting should be lightweight , accurate , reliable , and powerful enough to take down the fox and coyotes at the distance you you'll be shooting
     
  8. Savage LWS with a featherweight .284 Win barrel. Why? Because in a 6 lb. rifle (sub-7 scoped) that's about as much recoil as I want. Same would be true for a .308 shooting 165 grainers. I like to shoot quite a bit (400-500 rounds/year at the range) and I've learned that 20-22 ft. lbs. of recoil is my upper comfort limit. If I was willing to carry heavier rifles, I could shoot '06 or 7 mag or even 300 win mag, but with sub-7 lb. rifles, the .284 Win/.308 is about it. Both of those are more than capable inside 300 yards (400 or more probably). So those are my choices. I have a sub-7 lb. Savage in 7mm-08 for hunting deer.
     
    hulk439 likes this.
  9. hulk439

    hulk439 Member

    I second you on that
     
  10. Escana

    Escana Member

    Savage LWS with a featherweight .284 Win barrel. Why? Because in a 6 lb. rifle (sub-7 scoped) that's about as much recoil as I want. Same would be true for a .308 shooting 165 grainers. I like to shoot quite a bit (400-500 rounds/year at the range) and I've learned that 20-22 ft. lbs. of recoil is my upper comfort limit. If I was willing to carry heavier rifles, I could shoot '06 or 7 mag or even 300 win mag, but with sub-7 lb. rifles, the .284 Win/.308 is about it. Both of those are more than capable inside 300 yards (400 or more probably). So those are my choices. I have a sub-7 lb. Savage in 7mm-08 for hunting deer.
     
  11. truceball405

    truceball405 Sharpshooter

    My answer is a Savage LWS with a featherweight .284 Win barrel. Why? Because in a 6 lb. rifle (sub-7 scoped) that's about as much recoil as I want. Same would be true for a .308 shooting 165 grainers. I like to shoot quite a bit (400-500 rounds/year at the range) and I've learned that 20-22 ft. lbs. of recoil is my upper comfort limit. If I was willing to carry heavier rifles, I could shoot '06 or 7 mag or even 300 win mag, but with sub-7 lb. rifles, the .284 Win/.308 is about it. Both of those are more than capable inside 300 yards (400 or more probably). So those are my choices. I have a sub-7 lb. Savage in 7mm-08 for hunting deer.
     
  12. BCB

    BCB Active Member

    Since the OP was planning on his backpacking trip in November I wonder what he decided on?
     
  13. Sgoose

    Sgoose Mega Poster Founding Member

    Savage model 24 O/U in 22lr / 410ga or 223 / 20ga the best of both worlds great little guns IMO
    Thanks
    Sgoose
     
  14. Jack Olson

    Jack Olson Mega Poster

    Get a fold up 410.
     
  15. Double20

    Double20 Member

    I realize I am late to the game and the OP has already had his trip but I am surprised that no one mentioned the Henry AR7 survival rifle. It breaks down to where everything fits in the stock (saving space on a backpacking trip) and as a bonus, the stock is waterproof and will float. While I also agree that a .22LR is light for coyotes, it would handle just about every other small game out there (squirrels, rabbits, fox, groundhogs, opossum, raccoons). For space savings and the ability to keep the metal parts of the gun in a dry storage container, I would select the Henry AR7 for a backpacking trip.
     
  16. 635 G

    635 G Mega Poster

    Also, a kit gun 22 lr revolver has 8 shots S&W 317
     
  17. Jack Olson

    Jack Olson Mega Poster

    A revolver would be the best.
     
  18. Hammered

    Hammered Take the shot

    I have a kimber 308 that weighs 5lb 13oz, I wouldn't hesitate to use it for elk.