Printable View
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
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst
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
What he said.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst
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?
I have been looking at these recently. I like the idea of custom made to personal specs but I will need to do a few more trips before I know exactly what I want. Looks like you know already though.
https://www.southernlitepacks.co.nz/huntingbackpacks
Cactus Hunterway and a scabbard.
I’ve been through a lot of packs. I’ll never sell any of my cactus packs. Tough as.
Mysterh Ranch Metcalf 50 with a Kifaru Gunbearer.
Unbeatable comfort and stability, plus tou can actually pull your rifle put quickly and stash it away again without having to remove your pack.
That dirty big zip running nearly the full length of the main bag is a failure point waiting to happen, particularly under hard use and in scrub.Quote:
Originally Posted by caberslash
US pack makers love zips:oh noes::oh noes:
+1 for the cactus packs, bloody bombproof if you can afford the price.
If anything id grab a cactus scabbard at the least. Mine always gets transferred between my packs.
Onto packs i run a Karrimor SF Sabre 45l. it can take brit army side zip on pouches to bring it to about 70l, that can then be made into a day pack if you want to go fast and light. Bit heavy being 1000D cordura but been solid for a sharp price.
Not the new one. There is a helpful side access zip but it's much more versatile.Quote:
Originally Posted by secondtry
Attachment 267580
Attachment 267581
Attachment 267582
Exactly as per the pic - a long potentially compromising zip accessing the main bag.
Definitely convenient, but problematic in terms of reliability, particularly in heavy, woody scrub.
This is cheap. USD255. Dunno about freight. About the only MR that gets decent reviews.Quote:
Originally Posted by caberslash
https://www.blackovis.com/brands/mys...romos+01252025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyKHr2kXDEQ
Good looking packs alright, it’s a shame they don’t make a few different sizes. Not really suited for tall peopleQuote:
Originally Posted by craigc
