I used to take my 10/22 backpacking with me to shoot smaller pigs and goats. Game birds on occasion too. I'm uncomfortable running afoul of DLNR these days and need an upgrade but I'm stuck trying to find a replacement. What would you carry 10 miles into the bushes? I'm talking Waimanu, Waimea Canyon, Na Pali.

My parameters
Range: <75 yards
Calibers: 22 mag, 223, 30 cal, 9mm, 20 to 410 ga shotguns. Open to suggestions. Note: I usually have a dog with me so I'll legally carry the weaker calibers.
Actions: single shot, bolt, lever, semi (least important)
Type: long guns but I'm open to a pistol, just never had a hunting pistol before
Finish: weather resistant and if not just cheap and simple
Weight: Ideally close to the 4.5# that my 10/22 weighs but up to 6#
Sights: decent irons or ability to mount an optic
Price: <$800

I've had my eyes on guns like:
Savage lightweight storm 223 (5.7#)  https://savagearms.com/firearms/sku/57071
Rossi Tuffy .410 or 20 ga (3-4#)  https://rossiusa.com/shotguns/single-shot-pump-shotguns/319-ss-poly-tuffy-polymer-410bore-black-on-black-18-in
Cricket 22 wmr single shot (2.5#)  https://www.kygunco.com/product/keystone-ksa2295-crickett-22wmr-ss-standard-stk-black-syn
Ruger American stainless 22 wmr (5.3#)  https://ruger.com/products/americanRimfire/specSheets/8352.html

Or should I just take cheap 6# iron sight AR I already got?

What's wrong with what you used to use? Magpul makes a backpack 10/22 semi auto. Not too accurate though because I've seen it have jabone type grouping at 50 yards.  It could have been the shooter/ammo as I never fired the rifle.

How about those folding Kel Tec's in 9mm.  Takes Glock mags, but they have a model that takes S&W mags.

You listed the Ruger American .22WMR Rimfire.

If you really want to stick with a rimfire round, that's a good option for your stated price range.

However, if this is truly a hunting rifle, you can choose from other, more effective, calibers:

.30-06
.308 Win.
270 Win.
6.5 Creedmoor
.243 Win.
7mm-08 Rem.

Given the reloading options for centerfire ammo, I'd opt for one of those calibers.

Ruger American is at the top of most lists for light weight, budget-friendly, bolt action hunting rifles.  Once you decide on this platform, the caliber is really the only important consideration left to decide.

If the size of the game you're likely to encounter is pretty small (birds), then a shotgun makes more sense than a rifle.  Small game animals aren't always considerate enough to stop moving so you can make an easy rifle shot.

What's wrong with what you used to use? Magpul makes a backpack 10/22 semi auto. Not too accurate though because I've seen it have jabone type grouping at 50 yards.  It could have been the shooter/ammo as I never fired the rifle.

How about those folding Kel Tec's in 9mm.  Takes Glock mags, but they have a model that takes S&W mags.

Not legal to use 22 lr, 22 wmr is the minimum.

Keltec could be a good option though. I got 9mm glock mags but only time I shot one it didn’t seem very accurate.

You listed the Ruger American .22WMR Rimfire.

If you really want to stick with a rimfire round, that's a good option for your stated price range.

However, if this is truly a hunting rifle, you can choose from other, more effective, calibers:

.30-06
.308 Win.
270 Win.
6.5 Creedmoor
.243 Win.
7mm-08 Rem.

Given the reloading options for centerfire ammo, I'd opt for one of those calibers.

Ruger American is at the top of most lists for light weight, budget-friendly, bolt action hunting rifles.  Once you decide on this platform, the caliber is really the only important consideration left to decide.

If the size of the game you're likely to encounter is pretty small (birds), then a shotgun makes more sense than a rifle.  Small game animals aren't always considerate enough to stop moving so you can make an easy rifle shot.

Thanks for the reply.

223 is enough to do the job and I don’t want the extra weight and recoil those calibers generally deliver. Major goal here is lightweight. The Ruger American rim fire is 5.3 lbs while the short action version is 6.6 lbs.

I can usually pick off kalij pretty easily with the 22 and even got a neck shot with my 270 that left all the meat intact. But shotgun could work well for this.

https://ruger.com/products/americanRifleRanchGenII/specSheets/46919.html

I have 3 Ruger Americans Gen1
22LR, 223, and 308. All are very accurate. Great triggers on all. Adjustable 3-5 lbs
Above link is a Gen2 in 556.

Lever gun would make a good bush gun.  30-30, 357, or 44mag
I have a Marlin in 44. It can be a shoulder full of recoil but I reload for it how I want it

Mossberg MVP might be an option. A tad bit over 6 lbs. but they have iron sights built in. Magazine fed, a variety of calibers. 223 or 300 blackout would work good, and not too much recoil.

Buy a used 357 mag and scope/ red dot it. I think Taurus makes some models sub 500. Havent checked prices of late tho. I can use a lcr357 mag at 100 meters with a u notch and fiber optic front sight. Maybe 3-4 out of 5 shots. So with a red dot or scope you should be fine.

Cva makes some cheap single shots. In all calibers.

Another great option. Cva or similar, single shot 12 or 20 gauge shotty. You can buy inserts that you can change calibers. From 22lr up to the caliber you originally bought. Never tried it myself tho so dunno bout great accuracy but those 6 inch inserts on youtube got some good accuracy testing. I think the brand was "X something"

For shooting birds, only shotguns or archery are legal.

I have a winchester 30-30 lever action with a 16" barrel, I think it is called a trapper style. I am continuously impressed how light the gun is and how small it is. If I had to hike 10 miles I might go with that.

Space wise my keltec sub 2000 gets really small. 9mm is not as powerful but it takes glock mags so that is nice.

https://ruger.com/products/americanRifleRanchGenII/specSheets/46919.html


Above link is a Gen2 in 556.

I'm going to get this soon as I renew my rifle permit
will use just for a range gun. 556/223 ammo, easy to disassemble and clean. takes AR mags. will just add a budget optic and muzzle brake. I like this minicomp that I use on my AR's. leave the stock as is. cheap bolt action. should be better than my gen1 Americans, so I'll be satisfied with that

I ended up going with a Keltec sub2k for $450. With red dot and sling it’s right around 4.5# and just disappears into my pack.

If I had been able to find a 410 Tuffy (and 410 ammo) I would have tried that.

I did check out a Christiansen Arms 22 mag bolt action that was wonderful but $1000.

Thanks for all the great ideas everyone.

Looks like you got what you wanted
Thanks for starting this thread bc it started me thinking about a 556 bolt action myself and now I know what I want 

Reporting back in!

Took the Keltec 9mm sub2k on a 3 day bushwhack into Waimanu.

Having the firearm folded and inside my pack was really great while passing all the tourists, security, and beachgoers in waipio. Just another haole going hiking 

Ended up spooking a pig on day 2 in the back of Waimanu. Running shot in tight trees. First hit it low on the the and it bolted. Ended up dumping most of the mag into it, worried it would disappear. The 124 gr Ammo Inc hollow points all passed through with minimal, if any expansion. It was a small pig and honestly I felt lucky to have not lost it in the grass. Not sure what ammo would be better. Probably gonna go heavier gr next time.

Thanks for all the feedback from everyone.