Lightest threaded barrel .22

[Nickaballison]

Was backpack elk hunting this week and ran into approx 20 grouse throughout the week. Didn’t take any due to firearm noise. Recently received my suppressor for .22LR and want a light weight rifle to take with for next elk season. This would help a ton for food supply on the backpack trip. I have a 10/22 already but seems too heavy. What’s a good collapsible / super lite .22lr threaded barrel option? Thanks!

 

[TheM1DoesMyTalking]

I am setting up a .22 Savage Rascal for my kids for use as a light weight rabbit and grouse getter.

I bought a Rascal Minimalist because it is their only model that has the light profile barrel, iron sights, and is threaded. All features that I wanted compared to the heavy barrel, optics required models or the light but un-threaded models.

In the laminated wood Minimalist stock it weighs 3 lb 6 oz. I called Savage and ordered the standard synthetic stock for $22. Swapping stocks reduced the weight by 8 oz so now it's 2 lb 14 oz. I have a 2 oz Mercy Pluto in jail thanks to @Cameron.25 's recommendation and review on this forum. That will bring it to 3 lbs total.

The Rascal has a short LOP, so depending on your build it may be too small to be practical for you. I have seen 3rd party stock extensions are available that could make it fit you better without adding too much weight.

Are you hunting solo or is someone else with you who could use the rifle? I'm not sure I would carry two rifles on a backcountry hunt, even one this light. Have you considered a suppressed 22LR pistol?

 

[justinspicher]

Why not go with a pistol in 22lr? I take mine whenever I am headed to the woods and it has taken tons of grouse and rabbits. Way lighter than a rifle.

 

[CoosaBasinBum]

Chiappa Little Badger would be a good option too.

 

[Nickaballison]

I am setting up a .22 Savage Rascal for my kids for use as a light weight rabbit and grouse getter.

I bought a Rascal Minimalist because it is their only model that has the light profile barrel, iron sights, and is threaded. All features that I wanted compared to the heavy barrel, optics required models or the light but un-threaded models.

In the laminated wood Minimalist stock it weighs 3 lb 6 oz. I called Savage and ordered the standard synthetic stock for $22. Swapping stocks reduced the weight by 8 oz so now it's 2 lb 14 oz. I have a 2 oz Mercy Pluto in jail thanks to @Cameron.25 's recommendation and review on this forum. That will bring it to 3 lbs total.

The Rascal has a short LOP, so depending on your build it may be too small to be practical for you. I have seen 3rd party stock extensions are available that could make it fit you better without adding too much weight.

Are you hunting solo or is someone else with you who could use the rifle? I'm not sure I would carry two rifles on a backcountry hunt, even one this light. Have you considered a suppressed 22LR pistol?

I am setting up a .22 Savage Rascal for my kids for use as a light weight rabbit and grouse getter.

I bought a Rascal Minimalist because it is their only model that has the light profile barrel, iron sights, and is threaded. All features that I wanted compared to the heavy barrel, optics required models or the light but un-threaded models.

In the laminated wood Minimalist stock it weighs 3 lb 6 oz. I called Savage and ordered the standard synthetic stock for $22. Swapping stocks reduced the weight by 8 oz so now it's 2 lb 14 oz. I have a 2 oz Mercy Pluto in jail thanks to @Cameron.25 's recommendation and review on this forum. That will bring it to 3 lbs total.

The Rascal has a short LOP, so depending on your build it may be too small to be practical for you. I have seen 3rd party stock extensions are available that could make it fit you better without adding too much weight.

Are you hunting solo or is someone else with you who could use the rifle? I'm not sure I would carry two rifles on a backcountry hunt, even one this light. Have you considered a suppressed 22LR pistol?

Thanks for the good info, I will check out the rascal minimalist. I also am hesitant about a second rifle backcountry. Really open to what ever is effective and quiet, don’t wanna spook the elk back there.

I had thought about a .22 pistol, however I am new to the suppressed world and from what I have heard so far the .22 pistol suppressed is still super loud. Am I wrong in thinking this? I haven’t purchased a threaded pistol yet so I haven’t heard it first hand. My only point of reference so far is my 10/22 with subsonic ammo, holding the bolt shut the only sound I hear is the target impact.

 

[Nickaballison]

Chiappa Little Badger would be a good option too.

I had seen the Chiapas little badger and thought that would be a decent option. Does its construction feel robust enough to last, from the photos it looks like it might be flimsy.

 

[ACHILLES]

Weighs 4.1lbs with threaded 16” bbl

Tactical Rancher - 16" Barrel | 22 Magnum & 22 LR | Heritage

The Heritage Rancher Carbine .22 LR is a classic blend of style & precision. It's finished with walnut stock & a top mounted picatinny rail for optics. Shop now!

heritagemfg.com

Ruger 10/22 backpacker is 4.2lbs
With threaded 16” bbl

Ruger® 10/22® 10/22 Takedown® Autoloading Rifle Model 31152

ruger.com

 

[SloppyJ]

I'd take my TX-22 as quickly as I'd take my son's rascal and one is much more portable.

 

[StupidLightweight]

This is the lightest rifle I'm aware of: https://rutalocura.com/?page_id=5953

However, I feel a pistol variant would be superior, primarily due to size. I've been playing recently with "cheek pistols," which forgo a stock and instead stabilize with both hands and cheek contact. They look goofy, but for a compact small-game getter, KeTec's CP33 with a tall red dot (1.93") and suppressor is hard to beat. It'll be a bit louder than a bolt-action due to the semiauto nature but still quiet enough for use while elk hunting.

As for weight, this isn't as feathery as the Ruta Locura, but I bet it weighs less than 2.5 pounds, is a fraction of the size, just as accurate at grouse distances, and holds 33 rounds of .22LR.

 

[406flyfish]

I got this 10/22 break down for same exact reason. Has a fluted beyer barrel which is one of the lightest options on the market. Folds in half. Very light and easy to transport.

 

[Timplant]

Sig P322 with red dot and silencerco sparrow, extremely quiet!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Not sure what my tac sol weighs but it feels pretty dang light.

 

[turbobrick]

The dream of hunting grouse like this one day is the reason I got my TacSol Owyhee. Its essentially a bolt action 10/22 Takedown. I modified mine to use a TacSol TSS integral suppressed barrel, its dead quiet and feels so light you'd think it was a toy. You can get it with a SBX barrel now, and thats a great solution too. The regular one is 3.9lbs.

 

[Nickaballison]

The dream of hunting grouse like this one day is the reason I got my TacSol Owyhee. Its essentially a bolt action 10/22 Takedown. I modified mine to use a TacSol TSS integral suppressed barrel, its dead quiet and feels so light you'd think it was a toy. You can get it with a SBX barrel now, and thats a great solution too. The regular one is 3.9lbs.

View attachment 768138

That’s beautiful!

 

[lyle_destroys]

Thanks for the good info, I will check out the rascal minimalist. I also am hesitant about a second rifle backcountry. Really open to what ever is effective and quiet, don’t wanna spook the elk back there.

I had thought about a .22 pistol, however I am new to the suppressed world and from what I have heard so far the .22 pistol suppressed is still super loud. Am I wrong in thinking this? I haven’t purchased a threaded pistol yet so I haven’t heard it first hand. My only point of reference so far is my 10/22 with subsonic ammo, holding the bolt shut the only sound I hear is the target impact.

Shoot sub sonics. Stupid quiet.

 

[lyle_destroys]

Idk where the hell you guys are elk hunting but the thought of bringing a whole ass extra rifle in my pack, humping those mountains, seems ludicrous.

 

[loganwayne]

I got a 10/22 charger takedown and sbr'd it. Nice and compact. Got the barrel mount for it and put a nicer red dot now.

 

[Te Hopo]

I'm a fan of the Chiappa Little Badger, the open sights and the sight rail are both of poor quality.
My mate has fitted some steel sights off another rifle which are far more durable.

It's light and easy to use, definitely small game accurate and with a suppressor it's proper quiet

 

[MOwhitetail]

Was backpack elk hunting this week and ran into approx 20 grouse throughout the week. Didn’t take any due to firearm noise. Recently received my suppressor for .22LR and want a light weight rifle to take with for next elk season. This would help a ton for food supply on the backpack trip. I have a 10/22 already but seems too heavy. What’s a good collapsible / super lite .22lr threaded barrel option? Thanks!

Another option would be to get a Kidd super lightweight barrel to substitute into your 10/22. Super easy to do and those things flat out shoot. Or you could go all the way down the rabbit hole like I did and build yourself a whole new 10/22. Easy to do and lots of fun.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

I handled a little Winchester bolt gun yesterday with my 9 year old, and it was super light. Forget the name but it looked like their wildcat.