Not sure where to start this thread and figured backpack hunting would be a good start. Looking for a take down rifle for backpacking, camping, canoe trips. Pistol not an option do to out of state travel.

Who packs one and any experience appreciated

I have thought about this from time to time. It would be nice to break the rifle down and carry it in the pack so as to not wig out the granola heads on the way in or out.

On the cheap side, H&R's are cheap and shoot reasonably well. Most aren't very light.

Personally I have wanted a contender carbine in something like 357 max, 35 rem, or 30.30 for a long time. They can be set up very light and here in the east I am not giving up much practical range with the contender cartridges.

What are you planning to hunt? I'm assuming big game, but that may be wrong. Multi caliber options or not?

Not really a hunting gun but more for protection/plinking/oh no was suppose to be out 3 nights and now turned into 4. Pretty sure I know the answer, a .22 but looking to see who actually carries something like this and looking for options. Like noknees pointed out discreet but readily available

I have an AR-7 that I bought as an adult after seeing them in "Boys Life" scouting magazine as a child. I was fascinated with the concept of a breakdown rifle that fits into its own waterproof floating stock. Its a decent "minute of rabbit" shooter and would be a godsend if you found yourself in a real survival/starvation type scenario. Other than that, pretty impractical.

TD 10/22 in stainless or a Marlin 39 would be my choices, with a nod to the 10/22

I have a 10/22 TD that is phenomenal. So much so my daughter just bought her own. Just as accurate as a regular 10/22 and easier to clean.

KelTec Sub 2000 folder in 9mm or .40 cal would be my first choice, if I had to stick it in a Backpack & hide it from the Tree Hugger crowd.

First off, it's in a real defense caliber, which a .22 ain't !

Secondly, if you need it in a hurry, your not gonna have time to assemble a so called Takedown Rifle.

Third, you simply unfold the Keltec and start shooting! For a cheap gun, they are very reliable, and amazingly accurate. And they also use the uber reliable Glock magazines.

KelTec Sub 2000 folder in 9mm or .40 cal would be my first choice, if I had to stick it in a Backpack & hide it from the Tree Hugger crowd.

First off, it's in a real defense caliber, which a .22 ain't !

Secondly, if you need it in a hurry, your not gonna have time to assemble a so called Takedown Rifle.

Third, you simply unfold the Keltec and start shooting! For a cheap gun, they are very reliable, and amazingly accurate. And they also use the uber reliable Glock magazines.

+1 on the Rugar 10/22 Takedown.

Tough to beat Zee Ruger. But the Brownings ain't bad either.

Note this from Keltec's spec:
Trigger Pull 9 - 10lbs
They can't fix that???

For what you are considering how about an over and under like the older Savage 24's. .22 LR over a .410 to a centerfire round over a 20 ga.
Another considerstion might be the rifle Mule Deer has talked about, the Merkel K-1 single shot. E

Marlin Papoose is another one to consider if you're looking at a .22



Buddy has one and rides the ski lift with it in his pack. So we can hunt blue grouse in the spring (out of ski area boundry, of course)

I built a little contender carbine in .357 max. with 20" barrel and used it this past week deer hunting Ohio. So far I'm really pleased with the little rifle. Does about all I could need doing and is about the perfect bumming around rifle for my part of the world. Liked it enough I'm going to try and build another in stainless as funds become available.

Did you get to put it to use? My son's killed 3 now with a 357 Mag and I've been quite impressed with how effective it is.

The Browning, Ruger, and Marlins are excellent and I own each of them. I especially enjoy the Browning and my Marlin 39a but if I gotta carry it the Marlin Papoose is my choice hands down. It's light and accurate with decent firepower, the trouble is the Papoose just isn't as common as the 10/22.

If you have an AR you may want to look into either an dedicated 22lr upper or an CMMG bolt mag conversion. It to can be taken down.

My choice would be a Browning BLR take down model in the caliber that best fit my needs. My brother has on in a 7mm-08 that is accurate and packs fairly small and you can use it with or without a scope. Probably not the lightest but, would best fit my needs for pretty much anything I would hunt from varmint to deer and maybe even elk in a pinch.

Since we are not talking about .22 any more, how about this? Deer, elk , bears, Chevrolets, buildings, its got you covered.

Yep, that would work too, but ammo may be a bit expensive and, it might be a bit of OVERKILL for smaller game if you are a meat hunter. Otherwise….I'm sure it would probably provide a really fun "hunting" experience.

Biathalonman, what was your final weight and cost on that TC .357? Also, isn't it tough to find that barrel?

There's a local machine shop that has a side gig (Mountain View Arms) making what they call the pack-rifle. I think it's now been copied by others but it's pretty interesting:

15.5 oz
33" OAL
17" takedown length
7/8" width
4" height
.22LR
Adjustible Peep

+1 for Take down 10/22 -- add-on a lightweight barrel

https://www.volquartsen.com/products/1198-lightweight-barrel-and-stock-for-the-ruger-10-22-takedown

or

http://www.tacticalsol.com/x-ring-series/1022-takedown-s-bx-barrel

https://www.hogueinc.com/stocks/ruger/10-22takedown

store it a case like this with plenty of ammo

http://www.roll-n-go.net/shop/1022-case

Upside- standard 10/22 , mags or various sizes, ability to carry lots of ammo.

Downside - limits of .22 for range and take-down, plus associated cost of turning into lightweight backpackers gun.

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Possible that the 10/22 chargers will soon have replacement barrels from tacsol or volquartsen, then you'd really have the ultimate backpackers carry gun.

I always wanted one of these. Throw in some .410 slugs and poke something...