Hunting & Fishing Eberlestock pack size??

[Ackley Improved]

I am currently trying to decide which pack to go. It all comes down to size.

I have my choices at either the Phantom or the G4. The pack will need to hold a light weight single tent, compact sleeping bag, food, water, and all other usual items needed for overnight hikes/hunting.

I could not see myself going for longer than 2 nights, so I would call 2 nights the maximum.

Rifle will be a TRG 308 with 20" barrel and Nightforce 5.5-22X56.

So, the Phantom enough, or should I step up to the G4 for the extra size.

I wouldnt mind looking at some of your setups also. Feel free to post a few pictures, great for ideas. Even what you take along in the packs!

Cheers

 

[skinney_7]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

G4 operator,
i use it and packs everything i need.

 

[Longguns]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

I have the Phantom and wish I had the G4. A little more room is always nice. There is nothing wrong with the Phantom. Don't think you could go wrong with either.

 

[Ackley Improved]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

Thanks guys... the G4 is the key.. better to have to much room than not enough huh.. has compression straps anyway I think?

Cheers

 

[BirdmanOz]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

Hey Ackley - I recognize the name from oz forums.

I have had the G4 for a couple of years and done quite a few hikes with it. Even the G4 can be tight for more than 2 nights. The phantom is too small for real backpacking. Whilst its tough as nails its also heavy. It tends to stack wide and outwards which is opposite to pure hiking packs I've had. Great pack though. Compression straps get rid of the scabbard pretty well if it's empty but i out my tent in there with bladders. Been in mountain hikes in spring and summer where water can be hard to come by.

I take it down to little river regularly so if your around you can take a look.

 

[Lungbuster]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

Hello, I would recommend the Dragonfly. dragonfly
It expands from 2900 c.i to 5425 c.i. I used it on a 5 day back country hunt last fall and this spring it compressed to a small enough size to use for rock chucks.
There's too many details to list, follow the link above to read more. It's the best pack I've ever used in 20+ years of hunting.
Good luck.

This was my first post. Maybe I should of introduced myself first.....

 

[Drifter]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

I have been looking at the Dragonfly as well. Have you hauled any meat in that pack. I am curious how it handles a heavy payload.

Definitely looks versitile.

 

[Alderleet]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

Skycrane 2 has a shit ton of space. I put in the GPC requests for these a month or so ago, and how we've got 24+ SkycraneII packs.

Light, fast, modular, and expand way out. Its actually impressive.
(another reason we got it is because it'll pull into a 3 day assault bag if need be.)

 

[Luke]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

I can pack 60-80lbs of gear into my Phantom, no problem. For non-military use that should be more than enough...

Big packs are sweet...but packed full are usually to heavy to be practical. I'm typically an over-packer and a smaller pack keeps me honest about what I need, and what I want...

 

[Ackley Improved]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

thanks guys.... weight is the biggest issue 110%. will be trekking through the hills so a heavy pack wont be fun real quick.

 

[Lungbuster]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Drifter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been looking at the Dragonfly as well. Have you hauled any meat in that pack. I am curious how it handles a heavy payload.

Definitely looks versitile.
</div></div>

It's very stable with heavy weights, the heaviest I've had it it 80lbs. I really don't like to pack out more than that 'cause it hurts my knees.....

 

[Drifter]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??


Roger that,

The pack out always hurts. I really like the features of the DF, I am probably going that route. My buddy is bringing his gunslinger in tomorrow for me to check out, but I think I like the larger more versitile set up.

I drew a goat tag this year and have been glassing deer every evening. I plan to hit it hard in September, so I think its time to upgrade from my old badlands pack.

Talking with my friend with the gunslinger, he said the gun scabbard is adjustable so the rifle but can either ride low, or at belt level. Is the Dragonfly the same way?

 

[Lungbuster]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

No, the rifle scabbard is fixed/integrated into the frame section of the pack. I doubt I would move it even if I could, seems to be about perfect where it is.

Edit: where is your goat hunt?

 

[Drifter]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

Drew Center MT. Kodiak Island.

I will test the pack on some blacktails first. The blacktail bucks are usually running the goat trails, so it just as much a kick in the nuts as a goat hunt.

I am still torn between packs. I have been reading lots of reviews and many of the reviews say once loaded with meat the pack allows the load to pull away from your back. I want something I can lash boned out meat, or quarters directly to the frame/or as close to my back as possible.
No external frames, but I want to be able to lay the pack down and load game all the way up the frame/back and keep it there while I hike out.

Still looking at Badlands, Kifaru, and Mystery ranch.

 

[RyeDaddy]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

I've got a G4, and have used it on a few hikes. It carries everything I need for a 3 day, if you don't go crazy. I took it to Yellowstone last month, and while somewhat heavy when loaded, it was just the right size to do 3 days at a time away from everybody else. I dont pack a ton of stuff I dont need, but I thought the Phantom would be too small when I bought mine. The compression straps can really cinch the Operator down if you're packing light, so I'd go with more room than less.

 

[Muskox]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

There is not now, nor has there ever been Mountain Goats in Newfoundland.

Maybe your friend is a guide in BC, Northwest Territories, Alberta, or the Yukon?

 

[noonagon]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Muskox</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There is not now, nor has there ever been Mountain Goats in Newfoundland.

Maybe your friend is a guide in BC, Northwest Territories, Alberta, or the Yukon?

</div></div>

I'm from Newfoundland and youarebright. No mountain goats lol. Black bear, caribou and moose is pretty much it. My dad is a guide also if anyone wants an amazing deal on a hunt lol

 

[Alan Griffith]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

I own and use two EbS packs. The J107 and the Gunslinger II. The J107 has been a fantastic pack; in light, out heavy. Did that in '07 with my spike elk @ 11,200'.

Rifle was a 7-1/2lb 30-06 AI w/ 26" barrel. Pack was full of ribs, neck and backstrap meat as well as all my daily hunting gear and a near full H20 bladder since my drinking tube froze without the insulator sheath.

Where one has to be careful with the J107 is the size of the internal scabbard. I'm not talking about length of the rifle but the height, bottom of the grip to top of the elevation turret. The pic shows the height of the rifle with a Mk4 4.5-14 with M1 turrets. No problems here.

This is where I ran into trouble. IIRC, height is 10" and will not fit a J107 scabbard.

My solution was the GSII and it's cavernous scabbard.

I'm have not compared the scabbard sizes of the packs you're looking at but just wanted to bring to your attention the need to maybe research their scabbard sizes in conjunction with your rifle's height.

Good luck.

Alan

 

[Alan Griffith]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

Oh, and I trust my most precious of rifles in my Eberlestock. Pre 64 M70 in 257 Roberts built by Glen Morovitz of Newell, SD.

 

[Lungbuster]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

That is a beautiful rifle.

 

[Bigwheels]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

I love my GS2. Only used it for a weekend so far, but it definitely fit the bill. I have to carry the rifle butt down due to the 28" brl, with brake. Otherwise it likes to shift around some in the scabbard.
[img:left]

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It's a Montana Rifle Co. 1999 with 28" Kreiger 10 tw in 300WM. Manners T-5A, & NXS 5.5-22 X 56

 

[bowstryder]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

Good info and reviews guys, I have also been contemplating an eberlstock.
GSSP that is a gorgeous rifle!!!!!

 

[gspooner]

Re: Eberlestock pack size??

I like the Gun Slinger. You can load it up plenty with the outside straps. I tend to load up heavy and drop most of the gear at a mini drop camp. I also tend to hunt in pairs with only one gun as then one of us can pack the camp.