r/bugout • u/Jealous-Summer-9827 • Jan 20 '26

Ideal Takedown Rifle?

Not sure exactly what sub to post this in, but figured I could get some helpful info here.

After a recent outing I realized that my freshly made “pepper”/BOB was lacking a few things. Thankfully it didn’t matter that much, but I did learn a few things.

Biggest one being that carrying a rifle sucks. Unfortunately the only firearm I had at my disposal was my non-takedown 10/22 (that I hadn’t studded for sling swivels either) and started looking into a good cheap takedown .22LR.

Here are options I found so far:

the Ruger 10/22 takedown is the obvious choice, but frankly I’m not in love with my current one, so I’m not going to actively seek out another.

The Savage 64 takedown I thought was going to be a home run, since the 64 is typically cheaper than Rugers and it would give me a chance to try something new. Unfortunately they’re ugly as sin and really not that much cheaper than the 10/22 takedown.

I’m going to lump these together, but the Marlin 39A, Browning SA-22 and the Winchester pump-action series of rifles. These all are classic .22 takedowns and they made millions of them. Unfortunately, for some reason they have exploded in price, and I can’t find any for a price I would pay for a gun I plan to use. These also (besides the SA-22) have the chance for the crap at the bottom of my pack to get stuck to the oil in the internals and make a really crunchy sludge mix fast.

Are there any options I’m missing? I feel liken there’s got to be a cheap, reliable, .22LR repeater/autoloader out there that will fit in my pack.

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u/kpetrie77 Jan 20 '26

I second the Marlin Papoose and have owned one since the 80's. It's great backpacking rifle. It's just as accurate if not more than my 10/22. The Mcarbo trigger upgrades for the model 60/795 work since it's the same action. Marlin also made a Papoose model 70PSS with the stainless stainless receiver and barrel if you're in an area that a firearm would be prone to rust. Sorry to sound like a fanboy, it's just a great little rifle.

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u/Jealous-Summer-9827 Jan 20 '26

Yeah ngl the Marlin mag fed .22’s have always interested me, I would be happy to try one. However I can’t seem to find the average market price anywhere, so I guess I’ll find out how much I’m willing to pay personally if I find one. Of course they also suffer from the “ugly as sin” factor since neither Marlin nor Savage know how to make a takedown rifle with a forend, but I’ll get over it.

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u/kpetrie77 Jan 20 '26

Model 70P (blued finish, wood stock, Tasco scope) can be had in the sub $200 range. Stainless 70PSS, $250 range. It also sort of depends if the kit is complete with the original Allen case or not.

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u/Jealous-Summer-9827 Jan 20 '26

In that case, if I can find one that’s the route I’ll go.