Some day I'd like to build a rifle to take backpacking. Ideally it would weight about four lbs, take down to two pieces 20 inches or less to fit inside the pack, and be at least a .22 hornet but no more than a .223. I'd have to farm out the metalwork but I could fabricate the stock. It would have iron sights and I would prefer a traditional look.

Does this seem feasible? What actions should I be looking at? Single shot is okay. Don't want to spend a mint.

Probably a falling block, or rolling block action. I had a Stevens Mod 11 in 22 that probably only weighed 3 lbs. It wasn't intended as a take down, but separated from the stock easy enough.

Sounds like the perfect job for a Contender or Encore?

Allan D,

There are several "survival" 22's already made. Check "Handi" rifles and there are airforce surplus take down 22's available. When you no longer have the barrel pinned to the receiver, accuracy suffers and you may be beating that rabbit over the head with the rifle butt, before you ever hit him with a shot.

Good luck,

like the gent said, a contender...

with a 10" barrel, in 223, it's like 17" over all, and good enough to take deer to ~100 yards... if you are a decent shot.

the savage striker is nice, too, but awkward to shoot

jeffe

My Contender carbine with a 21" barrel is right at 6 pounds with a heavy Aetec scope.

I think that a 16" version in 221 fireball or fireball rimmed and with a skeletonized butt would meet your criteria. Plus give you a bunch of versatility.

Scott

Allen,
Check out the NEF Handi-rifle. It's available in .22 Hornet, or .223, in a superlight version at 5 pounds with a 20" barrel. Remove one forearm screw, and the barrel will remove from the receiver. Accuracy is often sub MOA with these rifles. Additional barrels, up to 30-06, can be added for $79. Plus, you can order it from WalMart for around $200.

Nashcat
Click here for NEF web site

Perhaps buy an old Winchester 65 in .218 Bee or Marlin 336 lever gun in .219 Zipper and convert it to take down. Made for iron sights and traditional. They won't be cheap though, but if you find a shooter and doll it up, well now, there's a project worth doing!

They used to have a synthetic "survivor" stock for the NEF's. It had a hollow butt stock with a thump screw to get to the storage and the fore end was taken off with a thumb screw also. If you could find one of these, it would make the rifle that much easier to use.

Gents,
I propose another option here, The Springfield M-6 Scout. The OU rifle-shotgun has a new incarnation with a folding-detachable stock. Chambered for either 22Lr or 22 Hornet-or 45 Colt and 410 up to 3" with a new conventional trigger and sporting a pistol grip...Pic was in my new American Rifleman. Truly a work of art,and way overdue in ending the older trigger IMHO. I can only find a pic of the older style at the time of this post,,,,but you get the idea I hope.


45nut

[ 08-14-2003, 08:59: Message edited by: 45nut ]

One more vote for the Contender/Encore option. Don't know about the weight, but other than that it should match all of your requirements. The old Contender carbine stocks were rather less than optimal for scope use - they were basically set up for use with open sights. If you want to use a scope, you'd need a rear stock with a higher comb - or perhaps just the standard stock with one of these odd looking contraptions that you tie onto your stock to make the comb higher. With a bit of work, you can even make a Contender break down and assemble with no tools. See the picture on this page: Contender with "tool-less" take down

Now, if ever you wanted a "real" rifle to do something like this with, think about something like a Blaser K95. These things break down with no tools, and you can have them in almost any cartridge. (I know, I know, the Encore also comes in high pressure cartridges these days )

- mike

Allan D

In Europe we have a rifle called "kiplauf". It's a one shot break top rifle. Some of them have a tilting block lock up which allows you to choose powerfull cartridges. You can break down the rifle and wear it in a back pack in two pieces.

/ JOHAN

[ 08-14-2003, 21:00: Message edited by: JOHAN ]

The TC contender "youth-model" carbine is only 29 inches OAL with it's 16 1/4" barrel and 12" pull. I would suggest it in a TCU caliber like the 6.5mm TCU for short range deer.

What about getting the stock from uncle mikes for 10/22's that folds at the forearm for barrel removal and packing? I don't think that they make it specifically for the 22mag but I would think that it could be modified. A breakdown semi-auto 22 mag would be a nice setup. they produce 50grain loads for the 22mag now.

Red

You can still get the Choate folding stock for the Contender and a .218 Bee (compromise between .22 Hornet and .223) or whatever other chambering you want. Carries light and shoots right. I like mine and have 16�" barrels in .22 WRFM, .30 Herrett, 10mm Auto and .41 Rem Mag.

Check out this rifle, a little bigger case than you specified but thought they would be light weight Kifaru rifle