Ultra Lightweight Backpacking Rifle Wanted

[bearpaw]

I've researched many different guns and haven't quite found the right rifle. I want an extremely lightweight survival type center fire rifle that folds in half or breaks down easily to carry in my backpack. Prefer 16" lightweight barrel (don't mind cutting one off), prefer no piece of rifle to be over 20-24 inches. Can be any type action, even single shot, but would prefer multiple shot capability, prefer a caliber capable of killing bear at close range, but might settle for .223 if nothing else available. I don't mind buying an aftermarket folding stock, I will be putting an 8 oz lightweight Leopold scope on the rifle, wanting the finished rifle/scope combo to weigh 5 pounds or less and hopefully not cost too much since it's going to get lots of rugged use and abuse.

I don't know anything about AR rifles or the parts involved in putting one together, but wonder if one could be put together to suit my purpose? There are lots of small survival and specialty firearms makers but I haven't found the right one yet.

ANY THOUGHTS?

[92xj]

http://rockymountainbushcraft.blogspot.com/2013/12/review-tristar-sb-folding-survival.html?m=1

[bearpaw]

http://rockymountainbushcraft.blogspot.com/2013/12/review-tristar-sb-folding-survival.html?m=1

I've seen that and I'm trying to find out more about these cartridge sleeves:
https://www.kygunco.com/chiappa-x-caliber-adapter-for-12-ga-barrel-black-72399

[CAMPMEAT]

T/C Encore with a short rifle barrel or T/C Encore handgun. Any caliber you want.

[MtnMuley]

From your post, I'm gathering this will be some sort of protection only gun, or do you plan on using it to hunt once you get to where you're going? What is the intended action of use?

[HighCountryHunter88]

Is it gong to be carried in pack until till you arrive to tree then used to knock things out of said tree?

[kentrek]

Only stuff I'm thinking of is pretty dang expensive...kifaru rambling rifle ? I think hs precision makes a lightweight break down model..eberly makes a sweet folding stock option...

Everything gets too expensive when it gets light

[jackelope]

Well I know one he's got and I'm assuming it's too heavy for his liking. Encore with a Choate folder I hour hit would be perfect but it is heavy.

[yorketransport]

T/C Encore with a short rifle barrel or T/C Encore handgun. Any caliber you want.

The Encore or possibly a Contender. The Encore gets more potent calibers, but the Contender saves a ton of weight. A 16" barreled Contender in something like 30-30 or 7x30 Waters would make for a very compact little gun. If you want to get a little more power from it there are a ton of great wildcats that bring the little Contender up a notch. Any of the JDJ or Mike Bellem rounds work well. If you want to have some fun, get a 16" barreled 375 JDJ!

For a while I ran an 18" Contender Carbine in 300 BS (307 Winchester sized in a 300 Savage die ). I think that gun weighed right at 6# scoped and ready to hunt with a very nice walnut stock set on there. A synthetic stock would have cut that down even more.

[follow maggie]

Looks like thguys are right about the contnder being a good choice. That thing is pretty sweet. You can get a pistol grip or rifle but stock on it and change between them.  Not too far north of your stated budget, either.

[jdb]

I'd look for an old lever action take down or have a gunsmith build you one. I have an article from a few years back where a gun scribe had a marlin .44 mag customized to take down and you could even keep the magazine filled.

[HawkCreek]

Weight wise I'd look at the Cooper Model 54 or the just released Model 92 (belted magnum length action, bare rifles weighs 5.75 pounds w/ 1/2MOA guarantee) but obviously they dont break down.

Another option is the Marlin 336Y with a folding stock. If you're really worried about cutting all the weight you can, the Ram-Line synthetic youth stock weighs about half of that of the factory laminate stock. I just measured mine and muzzle to end of tang is right at 25".


http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php/97574-Marlin-336-Ultra-Youth-Rifle!

[jackelope]

This is one of my favorite! Browning Mtn Ti. 7/08 with light Leupold. A pleasure to carry.

That doesn't fit most of his requirements.

[jackelope]

Dale- what don't you like about the Encore with the folder on it? Too heavy?

[Jonathan_S]

Whaddabout the H&R break action rifles?  Oh never mind, too heavy.

Their survivor rifle with a peep sight would be compact but weighs close to 7# and you said you want a scope...

Yeah I guess I'm stumped too