Savage 24 Camper 22LR over 20 gauge

Discussion in 'Firearms' started by phishi, Oct 22, 2006.


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  1. phishi

    phishi Psy-Ops Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Took my wife out to the range today and taught her to shoot this weapon. This was the same .22 that I first learned to shoot with, all though I never fired the 20 until today. She had never fired this weapon, and had not handled anything greater than a .22.

    We both liked it. I found it to be very fast to the shoulder, and could see how a 20 could be quick with a follow up shot. (Note: This weapon is a single shot rifle barrel over a single shot shotgun barrel.) She found the thump to be controlable and liked what it could do to a helpless coffee can. She also appreciated the size of the weapon (20" barrel) and how versital this package could be for hunting/plinking/survival. We didn't shoot for more than an hour, but she was pretty comfortable with this weapon by the time we were done.

    Currently this is on loan from my father, it is his travel piece. The weapon breaks down into three pieces, the fore grip, barrel, and stock. The stock also holds 2 20 gauge shells and 10 .22LR shells. Not bad for this package.

    Savage no longer makes the Camper unfortunately, and as I am likely to inherit this one, I believe after today that we'll be looking into getting a semi-auto 20 gauge. I've had my eye on a Remmington 11-87, for my wife, for awhile now. They make a youth model that has a shortened stock and a 20" ribbed barrel that would fit her smaller body and still allow me to use it. We tried other firearms on for size while we were at the range today (AR15, Mini 14, M1 carbine, Berretta Storm). She liked the M1 and the Berretta, but a shotgun would be hard to beat for all that it can do.

    phishi

    Anyone want to trade a PO Carbon 15 Type 97 for a Remmington 11-87 20 gauge youth? I'll make it worth your while.....
     
  2. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    Had a few 20 Gauge shooters at the Turkey Shoot on Saturday. Seems to be a nice package if I remember that Camper model of yours.

    Oh, 16gauge.com is actually taken......
     
  3. phishi

    phishi Psy-Ops Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    [quote Oh, 16gauge.com is actually taken......[/quote]

    WTF?:eek:

    phishi
     
  4. caseyhardin

    caseyhardin Monkey+++

    I'm new to the forum and am very interested in general survival preparation but don't have much current knowledge about guns (qualified with an M-1 40+ years ago). For a survival weapon I was thinking about an AR-7/Henry 22LR but then saw a sale on a triple barrel Rossi 22LR, .243, 20 guage single shot that was really cheap. I couldn't find a Savage 24 Camper which seems excellent from your description. But then I'm wondering what kind of survival situation should I be preparing for? Are most people planning on shooting small game for food or planning for a fire fight with looters, police, military, militia groups, roving gangs or foreign troops? I've read some posts that suggest having an AR-15 rifle, 12 guage shotgun, and a 9mm automatic pistol all together which seems like a lot of armament but then I don't know. Anyway I just thought I would jump in and get my first post out of the way. Thanks for any information.
    --casey--
     
  5. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    welcome aboard caseyhardin.
    I think you will find both kinds of SHTF people in this disscusion.
    I believe the 3 isnt heavy armament, I could see using those three and more.
    Im all about 308 and 45's
     
  6. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Welcome to the forum Casey. I don't think you could just pin "survival" on one thing. Too many things could happen, floods, hurricanes, civil unrest, terrorist attacks, etc. etc. There are 5.56, 7.62x51 (.308) and other options to consider, ultimately you have to find what works for you. I like them both, plus the AK 7.62x39. I do however like the .45 over the 9mm, but I think it comes down to personal preference.
     
  7. BigO01

    BigO01 Monkey+++ Founding Member

    caseyhardin 9mm and AR15 ? What ya trying to do piss em off just so you can watch me and Quig put em down with a REAL gun in 45 and 308 ? LOL

    Ah well no matter those two calibers will do the job eh Quig ?

    Case now you've official been given a hard time about toy guns LOL .

    Welcome aboard !
     
  8. monkeyman

    monkeyman Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Welcome aborad Casey. On the guns to get issue the first thing to remember is that guns are simply tools and no different from other tools each has its own use. I have to say that IMO the shotgun is the most versitile since you can use slugs for larger things out to 150 yards or so and other loads for anything up close but it still is far from ideal for many things.

    The idea of the 3 guns is a good basic all around tool kit. The shotgun works well for small game and close quarter defense, the sidearm can be carried all the time includeing while working on other things for protection and the rifle works for larger game at longer ranges as well as if you get into a fire fight situation. Its jsut a question of haveing the right tool for the job. I think most who are into survival are basicly into preparedness and so want to be prepaired to gather game with their weapons as well as be prepaired for any need that may arise for useing them for defense against anyone who might atack us.
     
  9. Infidel

    Infidel Guest

    Most firearm encounters in the US happen at the distance of less than 7 feet and in most firefights less than 3 shots are fired

    Get a shotgun
     
  10. phishi

    phishi Psy-Ops Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    My father's response to this very question was "Balance".

    He felt that with this weapon he could hunt most game found in eastern woodlands. He also felt that if he found himself in a confrontation, he could use the 20 as a first round deterent, followed by shots from a high capacity 9mm. It would not do in all situations, but it looked pretty tame compared to stomping through the woods in full battle gear looking like a threat to any you might come across. The package was also light, something to consider if one was trying to get home, or away.

    Just my .02,
    phishi

    Casey, I don't know where you are, but I have seen some Campers at gun shows around me. Price if I remember was between 300-500. Perhaps you could have similar luck in your area.
     
  11. caseyhardin

    caseyhardin Monkey+++

    Thanks for the advice and comments on survival guns. I suppose when it comes to survival the old real estate adage applies: Location, location, location. And being off of most radar screens is key to long-term survival?
     
  12. caseyhardin

    caseyhardin Monkey+++

    Hi phishi,

    I like your father's strategy to keep things simple and easily portable. Being near the SW coast of Lake Michigan there should be some gun shows around here, I've just never been to any. I'll start checking the paper because I like the two barrel shotgun/rifle combo of the camper and I did inherit a 1905 Colt Army Special 38 from my dad that's probably had a jillion rounds fired through it (but still seems in fairly good condition) which with the Camper would be about all the fire power I would want or could handle responsibly. I might escape or avoid a scrape or two with this mimimal fire power and could at least as a last resort manage self deliverence.

    --casey--
     
  13. phishi

    phishi Psy-Ops Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Casey,

    Savage used to make a full sized model 24 in 357 magnum over 20 gauge (12 might also have been available if that is more your speed). Barrel was 24", stock had no storage space, and the weapon did not break down. It was also fairly heavy. (The Camper is no light weight either.)

    A competent gunsmith could easily shorten the barrel, and could possibly work the stock so that there was some storage space for a few shells. Another option would be a buttcuff that would hold both some shotgun rounds and some 357 magnum rounds. This configuration would take the same ammo as your revolver, as 38 Special can be fired in 357 magnums, but not vice versa. Load the 38 down for small game, and up for larger predators, and you have a very flexible two gun battery for hunting and defense. Its extremely portable, won't raise many eyebrows, and you only need to stock two calibers (three if you bought some 357 magnum rounds for the rifle. Do not mix those up however!).

    As a side note, if you have not fired the revolver, I would take it to a gunsmith for a safety check. I would hate to think that the weapon is good to go only to find out at the wrong time that it isn't, or worse that it blows apart in your hands. If you find that it is unsafe, a 357 magnum revolver should be easy to find, and cheap to purchase. Especially if used! Stick to names like Ruger, Smith and Wesson, Dan Wesson (if you can find one), or even Colt (higher price probably). For under 800.00 I'm guessing that you could get both the Savage 24 in 357 magnum over 20 (or 12) and a good quality revolver.

    Good luck in your search. Pawn shops are another option, as is getting the word out to local gunstores as to what you are searching for. Sometimes they can find what you are looking for when you can't.

    phishi
     
  14. caseyhardin

    caseyhardin Monkey+++

    phishi,

    Sounds like a good plan, thanks and I'll start my search today.

    -casey-
     
  15. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    :lol: all in fun!
     
  16. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    Funny Ive been shot twice and was just over 50 yds.
     
  17. BigO01

    BigO01 Monkey+++ Founding Member

    I would think that after the first one you would have learned to duck ! LOL
     
  18. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    They hit within a split second of each other.I wish i could have.
     
  19. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    This post is worthless without the story attached. foosed C'mon, I know there is a good story to be read by us and told by you.
     
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