Going on a backcountry hunting adventure? Here’s the gear you need for a successful trip

#1  RIFLE

When selecting a backcountry rifle, weight, accuracy, reliability, toughness and calibre should all factor into your decision. While various rifles may have mountain or backcountry in their names, they’re not all created equal. The rifle itself should weigh no more than six pounds. By the time you add a scope and mounts, however, the combined weight may tip the scale at 7½ pounds, which approaches the upper limit for an all-day-carry backcountry rifle. While there’s no absolute guarantee on how the rifle will shoot, look for MOA accuracy guarantees that are backed by published reviews.

To help avoid a malfunction in the middle of nowhere, stick to a bolt action that’s built to withstand rugged use. On that note, you also want a rifle that has a carbon-fibre stock, stainless-steel barrel and Cerakote-treated action. While I prefer the lighter weight of a short action in steel, a long action in titanium is also light, but expect a heftier price tag. Rifles with light, carbon-fibre-wrapped barrels are also worth considering, as they offer superior strength and rigidity over heavy-profile steel barrels. Despite the loss of velocity in shorter barrels, I prefer a barrel of 22 inches or less, as it provides more manoeuvrability in tight spots.

As for the calibre, that depends on the animals you plan to hunt. For most game, I prefer one of the 6.5s because they offer less recoil in a lightweight rifle, and they’re inherently accurate and deadly. If large game such as moose are on the agenda, consider one of the .30 calibres, but be prepared for an increase in recoil.