Long guns for hiking and packing?

mc5aw · Mar 27, 2013

We've shared numerous threads on what we collectively carry while hiking and packing, and the options vary depending on geography, perceived threats, etc. What I'm curious about is how many carry a long gun in lieu of (or in addition to) a sidearm. Obviously, anyone wandering around up North in big critter territory needs to be better armed than the average hiker on state game lands on the East Coast. Here in PA, I'm actually more concerned about feral dogs (individuals or packs) than the occasional bear, yote, or cat. I hike some well-populated state parks, but woods is woods, and there are critters about. I mentioned in another thread about carrying a .44 Special when hiking, but I'm considering upgrading to a brush gun for my deeper treks into the woods. A nice Winchester 94 Trapper-type rifle would suffice, even in a large pistol caliber. I think a .45-70 Guide Gun might be a bit of overkill in this neighborhood

but a 16.5" .45LC or .44 Mag wouldn't be too tough to shoulder on a day jaunt.

Anyone lug a long gun with them on hikes and packing trips? If yes, what caliber and why?

Sprefix · Mar 27, 2013

Here are my dragalongs.........

I carry a 625-6 Mtn gun with Keith 255's at an even thou. When on a serious trip, 300's or 340's at (@)1150fps/1050fps. I also carry a Winchester 1892 takedown(16.5" bbl) in .45 Colt with the same ammo. It has a shorty barrel and is light to pack. I'm in teeth and claws country and feel safe unless I go out "far and long". I carry a M12 Winchester 12 ga WS-1 skeet(another shorty) with OO Buck and slugs if I get a feeling(usually on day/river hikes). Sometimes, I even break out the "Original Ruckus"(Browning 1886 SRC .45-70 with 405's at 2100) and get it some trail time. I'm a Colt guy, but .44 mag will be fine also with the right gun and ammo combo. There is the what, and the why is any of these will do what I need it to do if I got my head out of my posterior and am paying attention. The Mtn gun is for quick encounters(hopefully never need it that bad), and the shotty is for boo-boo's attitudes over territorial rights on the spur of the moment, and the "Original Ruckus" is for settling ALL disputes very judiciously. >.45 Colt 1892 on far left<

Browning 1886 SRC .45-70 fourth from left<

Grayfox · Mar 27, 2013

I always felt that if carrying two guns that they should be opposites. A centerfire rifle calls for a .22 hangun or a .22 rifle should be backed up by a centerfire handgun. Just gives you more versatility in the field.
But around here the animal threats would be limited to maybe a coyote or feral dog. Its the two legged varmits that you have to watch out for.

Dominus_Lex · Mar 27, 2013

My dad picked up this Model 94 in 38-55 years ago, and it made its way into my safe. The weight is great as a pack gun and I like the short barrel. While I am not sure I would like to mess with a peeved grizzly (I carry bear spray when out west), it will address any other issues the woods may through at you. Plus it doubles as a great whitetail rifle here in Michigan.

Arik · Mar 27, 2013

I hike in the Poconos mountains. Lots of trees, rocks, bushes, vegetation, hills ...and not so much flat empty space so a long rifle is a pain to carry as it will just snag on everything and there really is no place to take long shots, youre lucky if you can see a 100 yards. If its just for a day or less i go light. S&W M&P45 with 2 extra mags. If i go for a weekend i pack the M&P 45 but my long arm is a AKSU47 with a Aimpoint. I can ring steel at 300 yards all day with this rifle.

I know it sounds too tacticool but a short 8in barrel, folding stock AK47 will fit in any backpack with the stock folded and even unfolded it will fit in most packs. Its very maneuverable and doesnt get caught on branches, its tough and doesnt need much oil or any real maintenance. I carry it with one mag in and 3 spares. One spare in my back pocket and 2 in the side pouches of the backpack. Mags are loaded with 154gr soft points.

I know there isnt much danger out in this part of Pa but there are black bears and mountain lions and bobcats out here. This way i have 30 rounds of 7.62x39 in a compact semi auto rifle ready to go. No figiting with bolts or leavers after each shot and no need to reload after 5 or 6 shots.

Not my but just like it

BearBio · Mar 27, 2013

Maybe I'm wrong but isn't there a licensing fee involved on a 8" barrel with a folding stock? That seems like it would need Federal licensing. Get hassled much for being a National Forest Ninja?

Up here (where we have grizzlies and moose (and moose scare me more), I carry an 18" model 12 or my Model 71 Winnie. These are my "camp" guns when camping.

Arik · Mar 27, 2013

BearBio said:
Maybe I'm wrong but isn't there a licensing fee involved on a 8" barrel with a folding stock? That seems like it would need Federal licensing. Get hassled much for being a National Forest Ninja?

Up here (where we have grizzlies and moose (and moose scare me more), I carry an 18" model 12 or my Model 71 Winnie. These are my "camp" guns when camping.

Yes its an NFA item and requires a $200 tax stamp and additional paperwork, photos and fingerprints.

Nope no one says a word but its not like im hiking in heavily traveled areas. Its not a national park its a old coal mountain. As tacticool ninja as it might look its very practical. Some pics of the area.

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BAM-BAM · Mar 27, 2013

Three guns that have gone into the Allegheny Mts. with me..... Somerset County....black bears (possible) and yotes (plentiful).... my "excuse" to any game warden is I'm out hunting yotes ( season is about 350 days a year).... don't forget your licence and Flor. orange is optional.

CZ 452FS w/ 1-4x20 Leupold scope in .22mag. (100-125yds)...... Groundhogs, crows and yotes/dogs
Ruger 77/357 with a Weaver 1-3x20 scope .357mag. (100-150yds) Yotes/dogs and things with 2 legs
Winchester Trapper w/ a Skinner peep sight in .357 (50-75 yds) Things with 2 legs, dogs.........

All are short light and handy in the woods ...... lets you reach out to 100-125 yds which is about as far as you can see in "my woods"

Don't forget autoloaders can't be used to hunt..........in Pa.

Generally have a 66 3-inch IWB or crossdraw... on me all the time at the cabin.

Arik · Mar 27, 2013

I know i dont hunt with that. Its strictly SD

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BAM-BAM · Mar 27, 2013

ArIk,

FWIW, and not to start a "fight" about the law; I've always "heard" that the Game Commission "will assume you are hunting" if you are in the woods with a long gun.

So I've just avoided semi's or SBRs..... not worth the hassle. Unless it's my CCW that day.But I prefer a revolver in the woods.

Cpo1944 · Mar 27, 2013

Here in NC we don`t have anything really dangerous that requires a mega Magnum, but what we do have and I am concerned about is Rabid Raccoons . I love my S&W`s and have quite a few, but my woods carry gun is my .357 Ruger LCR with Crimson trace laser. It is so light weight yet plenty powerful = it`s just the Perfect Pocket Pistol.

Another thought, now that I`m the proud owner of a .22 Outdoorsman that shoots like it`s attached to my brain.
I might start carrying it in a shoulder holster in addition to the Ruger.
And My Nikon and tripod and lunch and fowl weather gear & phone& wait I need a wheel barrow ,and somebody else to push it!!!

fat tom · Mar 27, 2013

I've been impressed with Wild West's Alaskan Co-Pilot. I just wish I had a use for it. Check it out on this Shot Show video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVnxEYkQoO4

f.t.

Wyatt Burp · Mar 27, 2013

This brush beaten Browning .44 Magnum is a joy to carry.

This Garcia .410 has it's own special purpose as a small game food harvester and weighs almost nothing. Recoil is just fine. I believe these also came with two barrels, one in .22, which would be even better. But too small for your needs, of course.

This is a 1955 Savage Featherwight .243. About 6 1/2 lbs. This gun also came in .308 and .358.

klondike · Mar 27, 2013

Where I went hiking last ( columbia River gorge), I was worried about a kid coming down the trail on a tricycle.

Xfuzz · Mar 27, 2013

No large critters where I roam. It has been my thought if I'm gonna tote a longgun I want a rifle caliber.
I could find alot of Winchester Trapper models in 45colt and 44 mag but wanted one in plain old 30-30.
Found one and it's been unused in the rack for near three years.
Handgun just suits me better.

dcxplant · Mar 27, 2013

I saw a Marlin in .44 mag yesterday at a good price.

I'm currently wanting to trade my 6" 29 for a 4" 629, but that Marlin rifle shure looks dandy and easy to carry.

I almost always carry a backpack even on day hikes, so that's why I'm thinking a shoulder or chest rig for a 4" 629 may be the best bet, even if performance suffers.

My family camp and hike in lion, wolf, and bear country not to mention a high level of activity of illegals in the mountains (Arizona) not only people smuggling but drug routes.....

Maybe I shoud l just take my Colt 6920 but I thought that looked a bit "tacticool" and a .223 may not be the best medicine for a bear.

I figure the two legged folk will leave us alone as long as they see any kind of gun..... but at the end of the day while I want to be protected as we enjoy the mountains in AZ, I also don't want to look like some half-crazed paranoid yahoo.

Some say, "just stay home".... Sorry can't do it!
-----------
I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but....
We love the outdoors, and we don't like going to the crowded campsites with all the loudness, rudeness, and bad behavior of campers these days. What it the world has happened to camp maners??? Loud radios, generators, kids running wild through peoples camps, dogs off lease that are not well behaved....why I might as well have stayed in town!!

Cpo1944 · Mar 27, 2013

Another thought is the Ruger 10/22 take down with a .44 Mag revolver.
That would be a good combination.

Fredo Batali · Mar 27, 2013

I carry an H&R Topper Model 48 20 inch barrel, in 16Ga. slugs and #6 shot. Good for two and four legged critters and a grouse or two. Handgun is usually a Model 13 or Model 57, both four-inch, depending on where I plan to hike.

De Oppresso Liber

Mule Packer · Mar 27, 2013

I carry a 16-inch barrel model '92 in .45 Colt. Stainless steel, bead-blasted. Light-weight and easy to carry.

Or, if I'm carrying it horseback....

brucev · Mar 27, 2013

mc5aw said:
We've shared numerous threads on what we collectively carry while hiking and packing, and the options vary depending on geography, perceived threats, etc. What I'm curious about is how many carry a long gun in lieu of (or in addition to) a sidearm. Obviously, anyone wandering around up North in big critter territory needs to be better armed than the average hiker on state game lands on the East Coast. Here in PA, I'm actually more concerned about feral dogs (individuals or packs) than the occasional bear, yote, or cat. I hike some well-populated state parks, but woods is woods, and there are critters about. I mentioned in another thread about carrying a .44 Special when hiking, but I'm considering upgrading to a brush gun for my deeper treks into the woods. A nice Winchester 94 Trapper-type rifle would suffice, even in a large pistol caliber. I think a .45-70 Guide Gun might be a bit of overkill in this neighborhood but a 16.5" .45LC or .44 Mag wouldn't be too tough to shoulder on a day jaunt.

Anyone lug a long gun with them on hikes and packing trips? If yes, what caliber and why?

I like to go walking in the wood. Happily in this area I have church members who own enough land that I can walk all day w/o seeing anyone. I routinely carry a 6" 28-2 loaded with some nice 158 gr. LSWC .38 Specials at about 850 FPS. My rifle? Well... out of season it's going to be my 15-22. During deer season it will be either my beloved SA 5.9 (2/56) M-1 Garand loaded with some nice Rem. 150 gr. PSP's, or it'll be a reproduction 1903-A4 loaded w/ 150 gr. Noslers. Either one is easy to carry no matter how far or long I walk. For a sidearm I will carry my 21-4 loaded w/ 240 gr. LSWC at about 950-1,000 FPS. If I am hog hunting, I'll carry the M-1 and a 1911 stuffed with plain old 230 gr. FMJ's.

Long guns for hiking and packing?

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