Thread: Recomnended Tough Smaller Pack with Rifle Holder?

Hi Folks. What are your recommendations for a tough, smaller Day / Overnight Pack with a well-designed Rifle Holder / Scabbard? 45-50 Litres max.

Weight is critical: I like the Erblestock Packs, but they are too heavy for my liking.

Only NZ backcountry-proven keen Hunter recommendations please.

Thanks

Twineedle Mollyme doesn't get any tougher. Not the best rifle holder but an extra strap fixed that.

Cactus Huntaway with rifle scabbard although I just strap my rifle to the side of the pack with the butt in the side pocket

Why is weight so critical ?

Spika Drover 40L and meat shelf, also takes the bigger 80L on same frame

I was given a Spika Driver 40L for Christmas, I haven't had a chance to use it yet but can say it is well put together. I do like the meat sling between the frame and pack. The rifle sling is centered and carries nicely (around the house anyway). Reasonably basic inside which I like, no fussy bits and pieces, rather only what you need.

Agree kinda with Ryan. I use a number of packs with my favourite being the One Planet Tussock and have the Cactus Rifle Scabbard that gives a ‘rolls Royce’ ride for the rifle and attaches securely to the pack - or most packs. The Tussock pack also has a pocket for the rifle butt and two side straps on the pack the hold the rifle as long as you aren’t bush hunting.

https://cactusoutdoor.co.nz/products...__iZ9BFP2p-AyX

Vorn

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Cactus Huntaway with rifle scabbard although I just strap my rifle to the side of the pack with the butt in the side pocket

I own both and find this is ok if you have a full pack, I have thought about sending my hunt away back to cactus and getting some straps across the middle of the pack so rifle sits centre of pack.
But have to agree the cactus rifle scabbard offers excellent protection around bolt and scope.

Hunters element do a pack with rifle scabbard which you can change packs on the same frame. I don’t know what the quantity is like or the weight.
They looked ok when I seen them at the sika show

I have the 40L spika, does me well for about 3 nights. The meat shelf is mint as you don’t have to unload you pack to get the meat into it, or can use it without the pack on if need be. Can also thread a whole sika hind through the meat shelf FYi

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Cactus Huntaway with rifle scabbard although I just strap my rifle to the side of the pack with the butt in the side pocket

What he said.

They're unbreakable.

I have a eberlestock ,yes it us heavy but saves more energy in the long run.ive tried all of the clip on rifle scabbards, they all swing around unless you have a full pack and the weight being off center is also energy sapping. The way the above posts have it with the rifle butt stuck in the pack side pocket looks the go but it is still weight off center.
Fhf gear make a sling that clips to your pack that looks good but I've never seen 1 in action.

What ever you go for you the rifle to be held tight.

I've spent many many days carrying a rifle while checking possum lines, the eberlestock is the best thing ove used.
If your rifle is swinging around that is so annoying and so fatigueing that I would end up being carried in hand or left at home.
Being able to get it out quickly without taking your pack off is also handy.

I have the cactus scabbard on the side of an old (made in nz) ridgeline daypack. I had to get an extra couple of cinch straps added to the side of it for the scabbard to attach to.

The scabbard is very well made imo, and I do use it, but the feedback throughout this thread about it putting the pack off balance is valid. On a long walk I eventually end up carrying the rifle like I would if I didn’t have the scabbard. But for those moments when you briefly need both hands to climb or sidle a bank, it’s a god send.

The other disadvantage but this probably applies to many other pack scabbards too, is that if you do see a deer, you might as well just enjoy the view, because removing a rifle from a scabbard is different from unholstering a pistol.

What are you specifically wanting to achieve with it?