Mystery Ranch backpacks

[MAVsled]

the MR's are great looking packs.

I just purchased a new Badlands OX. sold my Eberlestock J34, too uncomfortable for me. Funny, I did love my Eberlestock J104 up until it was stolen from my rig.

if the OX doesn't cut it on a experimental hiking trip (as hunting is closed), I may move on (finally) to the Mystery Ranch packs too.

[dreamingbig]

I have considered the ox.  I am in the market if a good deal pops up.

[high country]

If you ever see a dana designs or k2 frame pack, they had a couple different models.....buy it. It is the gpld standard of freighter packs still.

[400out]

I have looked at the dana design and it's a great pack but just not really a hunting pack mising some of those key compontents (atleast for me) I keep coming back to the Eberlestock but haven't ben sold on them yet. if they had a litle more compartments I'm sure I would have one sitting in my house now but they don't and for a bivy hunt I'm not sure I would like having everything in one main compatment. but I do love the scabbard I think it's one of the things that keeps me coming back. as for the badlands I need to put one on and haul some meat to see if I would like them, therer is something I just don't like about theirs! Can't put my finger on it but there just is! good thing I have a couple months to figure this out 

[high country]

One of my $2.00 gunbearers and you will park the scabbard for ever.

[400out]

One of my $2.00 gunbearers and you will park the scabbard for ever.

fill me in! I missed something 

[dreamingbig]

http://kifaru.net/gunbearer_hunt.html

I think something like this is what he was referring too.

[400out]

I would have to see that in action. I know I wouldn't want the gun tucked under my arm and the barrel in my face  I know the badlands has a scabbard but (like on the ox) it's strapped to the back of the pack, that's definitely not where I want my gun in rough country

[MDGrand]

http://kifaru.net/gunbearer_hunt.html

I think something like this is what he was referring too.

Im with 400out...

I would really like to see that in action.. it LOOKS easy enough, but I wonder how easy it really is.. looks like it might be in the way consistently being tucked in the arm pit area? is that right?

As I have said before... I don't like the Eberstock design scabbard because the muzzle is pointed down below your waste, which means you CAN NOT sit down with the pack on unless you remove the rifle AND if you slip on your but, the muzzle slams down on the ground.

I would love to see more info on the Gunbearer though.

[400out]

I would rather have to muzzle go in he ground padded than the whole thing directly on the back of the pack like the badlands ox 

[MDGrand]

I would rather have to muzzle go in he ground padded than the whole thing directly on the back of the pack like the badlands ox 

You make a point, but I was talking about slipping and landing on your but, not falling down on your back... I am not a fan of the badlands scabbard either to tell you the truth...

besides the scope, the muzzle is the next worst place to have a collission with and the very fact that I climb a lot of steep hillls where I go and slipping on your but is somewhat of a higher factor, I wont risk it with either.

Another thought on that Gunbearer.. the guy in the Kifaru photo had his rifle tucked back into his armpit area with a pretty small scope... would that be AS comfortable with a bigger normal 40mm scope?

[WAcoueshunter]

I got the longbow last fall and really like it.  Most of the time I don't need all the extra room of the CC, so I'm happy to shed the extra couple pounds and the extra width that comes with the CC.  I've only hauled out one animal with it - a 46 lb. javelina (whole) - but it was pretty easy and comfortably to secure the animal between the frame and pack.  Total weight was about 75 lbs., and it was very comfortable.   

[400out]

ANother thing about the all in one pack is the scabbard being on the left side  I just don't get that. I even took my rifle to the store and put the pack on and took my gun out and I will tell you the right side would be better  Plus it's hard to get back in

[colockumelk]

I have been doing research for the last two years on which pack to buy. First I liked the Badlands 4500, then the Eberlestock Blue Widow. Then the Ox. Then the Crew Cab for a LONG time. Then for the last month it was the Eberlestock Warhammer. And then finally back to the Crew Cab. I was poking around looking at reviews the other day and found an in depth one about the Longbow. Now that I have seen and read about the Mystery Ranch Longbow I am completely sold on the Longbow. I think this pack can do everything I need it to do from day hunts all the way to a four day bivy hunt. This pack is gonna be mine on my birthday.

[high country]

I don't have an action pic of mine, but it is beyond simple. I made a saddle for my stock to sit in out of boat trailer winch webbing....simple loop with a floor. There is a belt loop that comes off of that at to attach to my pack waist belt. On my shoulder strap I run a qr buckle on a strap, similar to what you may use to hold a sleeping bag on a pack.....this simply loops around my rifle to let it move naturally. In one second it can be ready....just hit the buckle. The muzzle points slightly forward and up. In 5 years of backcountry use it has never been a pain. I hunt with treking poles and it allows me freedom of movement with my arms at nearly no weight penalty. After have a pack filled with meat and a bear coming at me nose down....I will always have my gun available.