Pack that holds rifle?

[Spokerider]

How do you carry your rifle and back pack on your back at the same time?, thus keeping both hands free for climbing rough terrain.

My MEC day pack is comfortable and has the mesh suspension to keep it off your back, but it doesn't carry a rifle!

Wondering what works for you.......

[Wild Images]

Check out the Erblestock packs www.erblestock.com

[huntcoop]

www.eberlestock.com (http://www.eberlestock.com)

Wicked packs.

[Rob]

Im in the same boat,Ive got a perfectly good 80l Northface pack. Im going to try to rig something up so it crosses in front of my chest and is attached to the front side of the sholder straps.

[bighornbob]

Its tough trying to fit something on an exising pack. The Kifaru Gun bearer system is meant to be added on to packs. Not sure if its only their packs or if it can go other packs. Guys that have them seem to like them.

For me I bought a Eberlestock J107 and would not trade it in for anything. Once you slide the gun in the scabbard you forget its there, its that comfy and out of the way, yet easily accesible.

BHB

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Go into MEC and see if they carrry a rifle scabbord for your pack.
I think I know what the answer will be;-).

SSS

[No Tag Soup Please]

I just use my sling and put my gun across my chest then put my pack on. Just have to be careful not to trip and land on your gun and mess up your scope. I figure if i'm climbing anything to steep to keep my gun on my shoulder then im not going to be sneaky enough to not scare everything into the forrest.

[Squire]

Thanks for the heads-up on the Eberlestock packs. They appear to be very reasonably priced relative to quality and features.

I use a Taiga internal frame pack for my high country hunts. It has water bottle compartments on the bottom of each side which hold a rifle buttstock nicely. I slip the rifle down inside the side compression straps, rest the buttstock inside the water bottle compartment and tighten the side straps.

You can't access it quickly but it works well when packing up through the timber to the alpine or packing meat out. I have to adjust the weight in my pack to put heavier items on the opposite side of the pack to the rifle for balance but this is easily accomplished.

These Taiga packs are inexpensive but the pack itself must weigh over 5 pounds. It seems the one drawback of the Eberlestock pack is that it weighs a lot too. I guess strength and durability come at a price.

If these Eberlestock packs were available ten years ago, I would probably have one.

[bigwhiteys]

You don't have straps on the side of your pack...? Most packs I've seen (even the MEC variety) all have some sort of strap system along the side for ski poles/hiking poles/tents etc...

Carl

[No Tag Soup Please]

Just spent about 45 minutes looking over the www.eberlestock.com (http://www.eberlestock.com/) site. Thinking i'll be donating my new pack to my girlfriend and be getting a "just one" pack. Not really sure if it's a smart idea though, I always seem to pack to mush useless stuff as it is with my 1.5 day pack... Good prices though!

[Iron Glove]

Cabellas have some decent ones, reasonably priced.
Both my son and I have them.
Not exactly easy to get at the rifle quickly but for climbing, etc. they do the job.

[Conrad74]

Go into MEC and see if they carrry a rifle scabbord for your pack.
I think I know what the answer will be;-).

SSS


They should be next to the hunting sandals and gunboot for your kayak when you are hunting otters !!

[Spokerider]

Thanks for the link to eberlestock packs. They look like just the ticket!

Anyone have this model http://www.eberlestock.com/introducing_the_x__project.htm likes / dislikes?

It's the daypack version.

[Flinch]

I picked up a Mystery Ranch NICE 6500 this winter and I built a scabbard that attaches to the PALs/MOLLE webbing on the side of the pack bag. It still allows me to get the rifle out when the I am wearing the pack. I also made it so that the scabbard fits onto the frame alone when the main bag is off. I also built a cargo net that clips onto the frame for use in conjunction with the frame and scabbard and a few accessory pockets to make a nice daypack of about 2000 c.i. The cargo net can expand to hold quarters, bear hides etc. The rifle is also accessible with the pack on (like the Eberlestock) in this configuration.
The scabbard
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/PackMods_023.jpg
The scabbard on the side of the packbag
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/PackMods_024.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/PackMods_028.jpg
The scabbard on the Frame alone
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/PackMods_002.jpg
The scabbard and cargo net together
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/PackMods_008.jpg

[Devilbear]

Gentlemen:

The Kifaru LONG UNIVERSAL waistbelt strap with a Kifaru COMBAT Gunbearer is easily put on nearly ANY pack and I have them on all of my Mystery Ranch packs and just bought another for this absolutely mint original Dana Design Longbed Loadmaster I scored on what some here might regard as a "granola" site. I have used these for three years now and would not be without one.

For the top strap, some find the Kifaru a bit dicey for our heavier rifles and so, an alternative is the "Gun Corral" topstrap used with an Uncle Mike's Mountain Sling, cheap, very efficient and built like a tank.....good people to order from, Google them as I do not have the url.

This rigging WORKS, I have packed a LOT of rifles all over BC since the mid-60s and I have not found anything as useful, plus, with the Gun Corral top, I am willing to backpack my pricier guns and not worry that they will suddenly fall.

Check it out, quite a few guys are using this now.

[fester]

Its tough trying to fit something on an exising pack. The Kifaru Gun bearer system is meant to be added on to packs. Not sure if its only their packs or if it can go other packs. Guys that have them seem to like them.

For me I bought a Eberlestock J107 and would not trade it in for anything. Once you slide the gun in the scabbard you forget its there, its that comfy and out of the way, yet easily accesible.

BHB

I have a kifaru it is great. I bought it by itslef and switch it between two packs.

[Gateholio]

Onthe advice of Devilbear, I purchased a Kifaru Gunbearer system (although I don't recall it being the "combat" system)

I used it quite a bitwith great result, until I did a face plant and the upper part ripped. I looked at it for a minute and determined that I could just wrap the velcro part around the gun barrel, and away I went. It wasn't as handy or "clean" but it didn't impede my progress.

When I got home, I emailed Kifaru, saying that I had fallen , and could I buy a new upper part only. They replied that they woudl send one for free. After a month or 2, it hadn't arrived, so I emailed them again. Would they send me it or not? They were surprised as they had already sent it. They sent another.

Last week I emailed and said that it still had not arrived and I was pissed off!!

They replied that they had sent 2, and would courier the third.

FInally I went down to local PO and found that they had my replacement, been sitting there for months. The local PO is normally great...

Good stuff and good service.

[Kody94]

I've got a couple Kifaru Gunbearer's too...one I ordered on the advice of Devilbear and got one from the generosity of a good friend who wasn't enamoured by his.

It took me a little time to get adjusted to it (mostly getting accustomed to having your gunbarrel near your face), but its been great so far. I intend to use it often this year. :)

Cheers
4Ster

[Kody94]

I picked up a Mystery Ranch NICE 6500 this winter and I built a scabbard that attaches to the PALs/MOLLE webbing on the side of the pack bag. It still allows me to get the rifle out when the I am wearing the pack. I also made it so that the scabbard fits onto the frame alone when the main bag is off. I also built a cargo net that clips onto the frame for use in conjunction with the frame and scabbard and a few accessory pockets to make a nice daypack of about 2000 c.i. The cargo net can expand to hold quarters, bear hides etc. The rifle is also accessible with the pack on (like the Eberlestock) in this configuration.
The scabbard
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/PackMods_023.jpg
The scabbard on the side of the packbag
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/PackMods_024.jpg

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/PackMods_028.jpg
The scabbard on the Frame alone
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/PackMods_002.jpg
The scabbard and cargo net together
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/PackMods_008.jpg

That is a very neat looking scabbard. How much does it weigh?

I like the pockets along the waist belt of your 6500. Might have to order a set for mine. :) I need some load cells for my Crew Cab too....between Devilbear's excellent and expensive back pack gear advice and bayou (telling me about the black pack sale at MR), I doesn't look good for retiring at 55. ;) :D

[Riverratz]

For your consideration, www.badlandspacks.com

Models 2200 and 2800 work for us, both have dedicated rifle/bow carrying capability

[Gateholio]

That is a very neat looking scabbard. How much does it weigh?

I like the pockets along the waist belt of your 6500. Might have to order a set for mine. :) I need some load cells for my Crew Cab too....between Devilbear's excellent and expensive back pack gear advice and bayou (telling me about the black pack sale at MR), I doesn't look good for retiring at 55. ;) :D

I didn't notice those zip up belt pockets, on MR website when I bought a pack, but I do have one pouch that clips on, like a "belt puch" sorta thing. I want another. One for LRF and one for camera.

[ThinAir]

Another vote for the Kifaru gun slinger....... one day it will be the difference between killing an animal or not.

My hunting partner missed an opportunity at a good ram one year, because he was busy fighting the straps on the side of his pack, and never got his rifle off in time!
He had jumped the ram in close, and couldn't remove it fast enough.

He's got the Kifaru now....and can be locked n' loaded in a couple seconds

You never know when you'll jump an unexpected ram, buck, billie...etc

[338 winmag]

Thanks for the link to eberlestock packs. They look like just the ticket!

Anyone have this model http://www.eberlestock.com/introducing_the_x__project.htm likes / dislikes?

It's the daypack version.

I have that one sitting in my closet , it was retired when i picked up a Mystery Ranch Crewcab and im also running the Kifaru gunbearer , works like a charm.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee175/redmtn/P5280008.jpg

[pmj]

Kifaru gun bearer for me. I have a Camptrails Moose bag:roll:.... and it makes my pack worth twice the price:-D. Fits just like the pictures show on the site.
http://www.kifaru.net/gunbearer_hunt.html

[StoneChaser]

Prior to the August 2005 I always strapped my rifle on my pack on long pack trips, especially when just covering ground or on steep ascents etc.

One encounter with a pissed off grizz defending a kill (killed it at 6yds full charge), and it was the LAST time I will ever hike without my rifle slung on my shoulder or in my hands. Happened so fast I wasn't even able to get both scope caps flipped!

I've done some long/tough hunts since, and have had my rifle slung on my shoulder the entire time without any issue.

I don't care how "accessible" the gun bearer/scabbard systems are...they're not fast enough!

[Devilbear]

I have spent a "little" time in Grizzly country, alone, where assistance in case of injury was not available and have carried lots of guns for defence. I have never had to use one, but, have come close on a few occasions.

I find the KGB to be faster FOR ME than slinging my rifle and it certainly is more comfortable, again, FOR ME.

In any situation where I think I might suddenly encounter a bear, I always carry my gun/rifle in my hands, without an attached sling and without scope covers and always have. I do this in heavy cover when hunting as well, but, for a lot of BC-AB gun toting situations, the KGB does work well.

Much of this is what you get used to and feel most comfortable with, there is no "set in stone" method, just as there is no superior cartridge within a given power range to "stop" a Grizzly. I feel as comfortable with one of my .338WM-250NP combos as with one of my 9.3x62-286NP rigs and had a specific shorty .375H&H-300NP built just because I like to play with guns....any of these will do the job.

[Gateholio]

P

I don't care how "accessible" the gun bearer/scabbard systems are...they're not fast enough!

I think you would find the Kifaru system at least as fast, if not faster, than a shoulder slung rifle. They are inexpensive, you might want to give it a shot...

[StoneChaser]

I think you would find the Kifaru system at least as fast, if not faster, than a shoulder slung rifle. They are inexpensive, you might want to give it a shot...

I've looked at 'em a few times but don't like the barrel up front like that and the sling dangling there (need a sling that will tighten right up I guess).

Some guys seem to like'em though.

[Gateholio]

I take the sling off and stick it in a pouch when rifle is in the KGB. Having the barrel in front of your face takes some getting used to...:-?

[Flinch]

That is a very neat looking scabbard. How much does it weigh?

I like the pockets along the waist belt of your 6500. Might have to order a set for mine. :) I need some load cells for my Crew Cab too....between Devilbear's excellent and expensive back pack gear advice and bayou (telling me about the black pack sale at MR), I doesn't look good for retiring at 55. ;) :D


I have not weighed it but I would estimate it at 1/2 lb. You can order another set of hipbelts from MR. They switch out relatively easy and then you can choose to have a pocket on one side only, both, or neither.

[338 winmag]

Anyone try to fit a bear hide in the Crewcab yet ? im thinking a loadsling might be a good addition for bear season.

[Spokerider]

I have that one sitting in my closet , it was retired when i picked up a Mystery Ranch Crewcab and im also running the Kifaru gunbearer , works like a charm.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee175/redmtn/P5280008.jpg
PM sent re: pack

[tactical308]

MY Erblestock Gunslinger is in the mail,I hope it will be here by the weekend. :biggrin: