Is it worth toting a 7 pound .22lr on a backpack hunt?

[vladkgb]

How do you cook grouse when back country camping with just a cup and a stove?

 

[Chris in TN]

.22 pistol suppressed or look at black mt arms 5.7 “pistol” with a brace, weighs like 2lbs
I’ve killed grouse with a rock and a stick, so generally the shots are not very far. Snowshoe hair have cool pelts, but are survival food IMHO and I would say the same thing about pine squirrels. Grouse are fantastic though

I've ate a couple of pine squirrels and couldn't tell the difference between them and our local greys here. I like squirrel.

I've never ate a snowshoe hare but always assumed they were similar to rabbit, and I absolutely love fried rabbit.

How do you cook grouse when back country camping with just a cup and a stove?

Campfire/stick/roast it, or have a small pan and some oil (we'll have coconut oil as part of our food anyway) and some seasonings Or maybe we shoot a couple before season and eat them on one of the nights we'll be in a local cabin.

I switched a can over to my M&P22C a while ago and without fiddling with the sights I hit 4/5 on a tennis ball sized target at 15 yards offhand and once I figured out it was hitting a bit low (with CCI SV) I had no problem hitting an 8" plate 5/5 at 40 yards from a rest. I figure that makes me proficient out to perhaps 20 yards and that's about twice as far as the grouse I killed a couple years ago. I'm not a huge fan of open sights for hunting situations but in this instance I think a 2# pistol beats a 7# rifle and saves me buying yet another gun this summer.

ETA: Also, I was sort of worried about how loud a .22 pistol would be even with subs, but the noise level wouldn't bother me at all mid-day. I wouldn't shoot it early/late day during season if I was sitting somewhere hoping to see anything, but at midday with a bit of wind and leaves rustling and whatnot the noise is negligible.

 

[30338]

I don't leave guns in vehicles at trailheads. These days if I arrive early to scout a bit, I'll have my rifle in my pack with no ammo along vs leaving in camp/vehicle.

I'd pass on shooting grouse with an unfilled tag in my pocket.

 

[Te Hopo]

Personally I'd be looking at lighter options
If set on a rifle, the Marlin Papoose is great if you want a fast follow up, or CZ Scout.
When my sisters were kids they used single shots like the Chiappa Little Badger and Cricket, both around the 2.5-3lb weight.

 

[Chris in TN]

So, next question.....is there such a thing as a holster for a M&P22C with a can on it?

Ideally something that'll attach to a chest pack.

 

[mjh]

Check Etsy for leather crafters and holster makers.

I’ve boiled grouse in pot to cook them on backcountry trips. Broth is good too.

I’d take the pistol for sure. Suppressed if can.