I am looking for a better way to carry my rifle while back packing, but still have it relatively handy. I use a walking stick or ski poles when I have a pack on, it makes my knees last a lot longer. I am not terribly happy with my traditional one strap sling.

I use a very light cordura/foam scabbard that straps to my pack, I can drop the pack and have the rifle out in a few seconds if need be.

I have tried a lot of things as I used to have to pack a gun at work in the mountains. Last year, I started using the Kifaru Gunbearer system and have put these on all of my packs. I carry a 9 lb. .338 in one all day in very rugged country with no problem and highly recommend these, they really do what the designer, Patrick Smith, days they will and I have never found anything as good.

quote:

Originally posted by kutenay:
I have tried a lot of things as I used to have to pack a gun at work in the mountains. Last year, I started using the Kifaru Gunbearer system and have put these on all of my packs. I carry a 9 lb. .338 in one all day in very rugged country with no problem and highly recommend these, they really do what the designer, Patrick Smith, days they will and I have never found anything as good.

does your scope get in the way?, it looks like it would be under your armpit

Originally posted by kutenay:
I have tried a lot of things as I used to have to pack a gun at work in the mountains. Last year, I started using the Kifaru Gunbearer system and have put these on all of my packs. I carry a 9 lb. .338 in one all day in very rugged country with no problem and highly recommend these, they really do what the designer, Patrick Smith, days they will and I have never found anything as good.


does your scope get in the way?, it looks like it would be under your armpit



I too like the gunbearer for certain applications. It looks to be akward but experience shows me that it is really not(YMMV). I like it more as a way to carry to gun on the back of my pack compared to the front.....I use it like they show the "auxillary holster" in the millitary side of the website.

I hunt a lot in the winter on a snowmachine and this thing is great to put a gun on my back and ride for miles with it. I find that I have to reach back with my left hand to check to see if the gun is still there, it carries that nice . When I have carreid a gun on the front strap it is very handy is more comfortable than a slingI,MHO, but riding on a snowmachine my kness are in the way to carry it on the front.

There are times that I carry a gun to a spot, not really needed it until I get there. By putting the gun on my back with the gunbearer I can walk so much easier and it takes very little time to get the gun free. You can either drop tyhe pack and get it out or reach over your shoulder, undo the top strap and pull the gun over your shoulder.

-phil

quote:

Originally posted by LorenS:
I am looking for a better way to carry my rifle while back packing, but still have it relatively handy. I use a walking stick or ski poles when I have a pack on, it makes my knees last a lot longer. I am not terribly happy with my traditional one strap sling.

This is the same issue I've struggled with over the years.

I also prefer a walking staff when afoot in rough terrain especially when crossing swollen creeks. Just as with my rifle, I've never been quite pleased with which walking stick(s) to use and which method to secure them when needing both hands. I've settled on a heavy duty shock corded break down wading staff(Orvis) that has a carbide tip and cork handle. It is compact and can be removed from its holster and deployed with one hand. I can break it down and holster it w/in approx. 15sec.

I've tried various rifle rigs that cradles the butt and has some form of release towards the top. Some hold the rifle to the side and others have the rifle across the chest. I do not like these at all in rough terrain. I find them awkward.

This is system I've settled on:

When afoot in rough terrain I discard my sling and use an Eberlestock pack with scabbard. When I must have both hands free I holster the rifle. With my pack, I have no problem inserting or removing the rifle while wearing the pack(even when the pack is full). The system holds the rifle tight enough to my back that I have no difficulty crawing though thick narly brush. I'll hang up on the butt no more often than I'd hang up on a pack.

The past two years my wife and I have exercised 2-3 times per week using "Leslie Sansone's WALK AWAY the POUNDS EXPRESS/WALK STRONG" DVD. This is a total body walking program equal to two miles. I do this routine with my pack loaded to 40lbs and carrying a 10lbs rifle. As a result, I find it much easier to carry and handle my hunting rifle afield on long hikes/climbs without my arms tiring. Therefore, I only holster my rifle when needed for safety reasons or to handle two handed chores.

If I'm without my pack, need both hands free and need quick access to my rifle(such as if I'm alone and field dressing an animal in bear country); I either sling my rifle on my off-side with muzzle forward/butt to the rear/scope side of rifle down, or rely on a sidearm. I carry a custom large framed Ruger Vaquero that is very compact, streamlined and light. It has a set of stocks that allow me to handle and shoot the revolver when my hands are bloody. I rely on this if the situation dictates I must set my rifle aside.

I'm sure I'll continue to modify and change my system, but this is where I'm comfortable now.

Hope this helps,
Gary

Thanks for the replies.

I'll look for one of those orvis sticks. I have used my stoney point shooting sticks in a pinch, I've bailed on bipods for back packing they will wear a hole in you.

I probably need to get my pack weight down, then the rifle won't be so much bother. My last trip I had over 70 lbs in the pack, since it was so cold I wasn't sure I could rely on my filter so I loaded up on water. My handgun also added more weight than it think it was worth. It sure was nice having the pillows and slippers in camp, though.

I used the kifaru gun bearer system and have not found that my scope interfes with its use. the gun releases easily and is in position to use.

Visit www.nimrodpacks.com
Have used it during several hunting trips. Quite handy & comfortable. Highly recommended. Doug just introduced a rifle scabbard/harness light package.
Rgds.