John,
Here's an old (2009) review on the rifle You are asking about.
https://backpackinglight.com/pak_rifle_review/Keystone arms Crickett Rifle & Pistol:
These are some kits from Ruta Locura (?) to convert Your Cricket 22 Rifle/Pistol to a lightweight platform and a review by a blogger that goes by 'WoodTrekker'. I would have liked to have picked up one of the barrels but they were not available back when I had the Cricketts... the stock sucks IMO (based on pictures only as I never had one of the kits).
http://www.rutalocura.com/22magPRK.htmlhttp://www.rutalocura.com/PPK.htmlhttp://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2013/06/ultralight-backpacking-rifle-ruta.htmlI'll add a link of a guy who built his own backpacking stock for the Crickett:
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=869105Savage Rascal:
I used to have a couple of Cricketts (for the Kid's) and never really cared for them. When Savage came out with the 'Rascal' I picked one up and like it a lot (so did the Kids). Unlike the Crickett; rounds can be dropped in the breech and chambered by working the bolt, it has a Real safety, it cocks by working the bolt, the sights are much more robust and if You so desire ...it is drilled and tapped for Weaver scope bases (a scope on such a tiny rifle is too much IMO). They are quite accurate... I can hit a 3 inch swinger at 50 yards 3 or 4 times out of 5 shots offhand. BUT it is probably too heavy for what You are looking for, as the bare rifle weighs 2 pounds - 11 ounces. Here is a blog again by woodtrekker of a Rascal that He modified... He fails to drop much weight though;
http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com/2014/06/ultralight-backpacking-rifle-savage.htmlMy experience:
Like You I had a S&W 317. it was a delight to carry but I was not Grouse accurate with it so I tripped it (unfortunately I might add). Now I've got a S&W 63 w/ a 4 inch barrel, it weighs 27 ounces but I am much more accurate with it than the 317. I also have a Ruger Mark III 22/45 lite, weighs 22.7 ounces (w/an empty mag.) and a Ruger Mark III 22/45 with an 8.5 inch Tactical Solutions barrel which weighs 25.5 ounces (w/an empty mag). I can shoot the 22/45's better than the S&W 63 particularly the one with the 8.5 inch barrel and the Savage Rascal even better than the pistols... the trade off being ease of carrying.
If You can locate some, try CCI's 'Target Shorts', they are much more accurate than CB caps or standard shorts and a Lot quieter than any other shorts I have tried (out of a rifle) and I have tried Remington, Winchester, CCI HiVel., Aguila Shorts & Aguila Target Shorts. I've got a bunch of CCI 'Quiet' ammo, but have not compared the sound signature or accuracy between the two.
Were I to pursue an even lighter set up I would either a.) see if the Ruta Locura rifle barrel would fit the Savage Rascal or b.) Buy a Keystone Crickett Pistol and install a Ruta Locura Pistol barrel on it.
Enjoy Your Journey,
Jerry
