Any Vorn backpack users here?

[njc110381]

Hi guys. I've got a trip to Scotland booked in a couple of months and I've been looking at the Vorn rifle packs as an option to carry my gun. Last year was my first trip, I had a leather cobra type sling on the gun and to be honest, it could have been better. It was fine until I needed to do something else, drag the deer etc, then it kept falling off of my back. It was so annoying that I dumped my stick on the hill because a deer, a gun and that were just one too many things to deal with!

Can anyone give me a user review of the packs please? I'm looking at the Lynx which is the middle size, 12 or 20l depending on how it's set up. They're a lot of money for a rifle carrying system but like most things, if it provides comfort and is good quality I'm willing to spend what I need to.

I've looked at the various slings available but like the idea of a backpack to be able to offload a light jacket into and carry a bit of food for the day etc. One thing that has been pointed out to me is it may make my back sweat and get cold - a valid point. I'm hoping some of you may do more of that kind of stalking and will be able to give me some pointers? I'd be very grateful for your advice.

Also, best place to buy? If anyone's selling a green one I'd be interested as I don't have an issue with good second hand kit.

 

[Benji53]

I have the lynx its expensive for some they say sling is just as good etc in my limited use of it I think it's worth every penny gives you both hands free for glassing sticks dragging etc and as you say not sliding off your shoulder get it bought pal regards benji

 

[Limpet]

This one is sold now but maybe take a read of the comments..... Sold: Vorn Lynx Backpack

 

[topscots1]

they are excellent, complete freedom of movement whilst stalking, they allow you to cary all your kit in one place whilst still comfortable. I bought one on a whim and now would not be without it, the speed and ease of accessing the rifle is simple and becomes instinctive. You won't be disappointed.

 

[jcampbellsmith]

I've looked at the Vorn and I don't think it addresses my needs. In woodland stalking my rifle is on my shoulder ready to deploy. On the hill my rifle is in a sleeve. If i need to crawl, I drag the sleeve beside me and dump my rucksack and stick. If I feel the need on the hill, I take the rifle out of the sleeve and attach the folded sleeve to my rucksack. I use the same sleeve to transport my rifle in the car.

Regards

JCS

 

[McKenzie]

I have one & I think it's a brilliant bit of kit but if I was heading for the hill I'd have my rifle in a Brady sleeve fitted with a rucksack sling.

I walk with the Vorn backpack at least every second day including the summer & one of it's many great features is that it doesn't get your back sweaty due to the pad that sits in the small of your back, keeping the pack slightly away from you.

 

[pitnie]

I have been using it for 2 seasons now. Do not go out without it anymore. I got the small one, carries everything I need for a eve outing or a whole day. Smashing kit.

 

[NigelM]

I have been going through a similar thought process this week following a week on the hill. A couple of the guys had the Corn Lynx which got me started, followed by SWMBO offering to buy me one for Christmas.

I use a Z-Aim sling on the rifles and am very happy with the way the rifle sits and how quickly it deploys. It's much faster that the Vorn deployment if required...which it rarely is.

On the hill I travel quite heavy with a 18 litre pack and it's always full. Dog coat and tracking lead, spare fleece and or waterproofs, first aid kit, a host of spare and emergency thinks like knife, torch, pull through etc and of course lunch and a few snacks for the dog. The pack is always pretty full. When out for 8 hours in Scotland you need to be prepared for all weather.

From time to time I feel under packed if anything. We were planning to camp out this year but as it happened it ****ed with rain all week so it never happened, but getting the tent, bag and mat out along with food and a bottle of whisky would have been interesting. Last year I had to carry a Sika Stag out of the woods and it nearly happened again this year. A carrying system would make life a lot easier and more comfortable that knitting it's legs together.

As a result I think I'm going to go with the Mystery Ranch Mule. A 23 litre pack on a proper frame that expands to give the option of adding another bag behind it or even a Sika. It weighs 1Lb less than the Vorn, gives me many more options and costs about the same.

Shopping

It wouldn't get used for lowland work when I always travel much lighter.

 

[Dazb1967]

Me and my mate are currently looking at the Vorn or any other option out there as were both fed up trying to hold onto sticks and hold the the rifle sling in position over your shoulder, It will be interesting to see if there is any other ideas out there.

 

[Chief Gibbon]

I use the Niggeloh backpack sling in Scotland. It’s perfect.

 

[McKenzie]

Me and my mate are currently looking at the Vorn or any other option out there as were both fed up trying to hold onto sticks and hold the the rifle sling in position over your shoulder, It will be interesting to see if there is any other ideas out there.

If you take the mod & harris bipod off & use a smaller scope you will find that the rifle will hang very nicely on just a sling!

 

[NigelM]

Me and my mate are currently looking at the Vorn or any other option out there as were both fed up trying to hold onto sticks and hold the the rifle sling in position over your shoulder, It will be interesting to see if there is any other ideas out there.

Tried most of them. Z Aim sling is the best I've found so far, holds the rifle very solidly on the shoulder and very fast to deploy. Much better than the Niggeloh in my opinion.

 

[User00003]

If you take the mod & harris bipod off & use a smaller scope you will find that the rifle will hang very nicely on just a sling!

+1

 

[Bandooki]

Been using the Vorn for a couple of years now, both in Scotland and in all my local stalking. Its the best carrying system i've used so far, frees your hands up and easy to deploy. I had the Z-aim system previous to it, but this is way better. Only downside is the cost, but in my opinion it's well worth it. All my team now use one. It also carries all your kit, saves bulging pockets. I place a cover over the rifle when i stalk locally, in my case a red umbrella cover, walked past may walkers and they didn't even know i had rifle on my back!!
B

 

[njc110381]

Thanks for all the helpful replies, much appreciated. I've even had a local member offer to let me try theirs on and see how I get on with it. I couldn't really ask for better than that, so thank you!

I like the umbrella cover idea. I would never have thought of it but what a brilliant way to get around without the worry of bumping into people who may not like seeing a gun. There are a few footpaths on some of my shoots. I've never had any real bother yet but there have been a couple of people who have looked quite scared. It's a shame that's the way the world is heading but they have as much right to a relaxing walk in the woods as I do I suppose.

 

[GIMLET61]

NJC,
deliberated on purchasing one for past two seasons as I hate the rifle slipping off my shoulder when walking in Scotland.
Bit the bullet this year and bought it, took it on my very wet week recently to Argyle and was well pleased.
Sufficient room in the bag for water, food, poncho etc and as it has molle attachments I added some additional pouches for extras.
The rifle was protected in its sleeve from the worst of the weather but the bag will be getting a coating of weatherproofing when dried out.
Keep spare kit In dry bags when in use, soggy bog roll wasn't pleasant unless classed as a wet wipe!
where abouts are you, I could meet and you could check my Vorn if you wanted.
Gimlet

 

[paulbshooting]

Just back from a week chasing Red Stags on west coast Scotland. Used the Vorn Lynx all week and very pleased. Often out for a while twice a day so the ability to carry food, water, kit etc. is useful and to store the rifle out of the weather is clever. Not cheap but ended the week without my usual neck / upper back wear & tear problems. Good express delivery from Bushwear.

 

[Heym SR20]

Trouble with carrying a rifle vertically on a pack is that makes it a real faff if you just want to lean against a rock or sit down to look at something. I am always doing this, but if you have a pack that carries the rifle vertically then you constantly have to take it on and off.

I do carry a pack. Rifle is either on a sling or in a slip, or broken down inside the pack. I do sometimes carry a slipped rifle horizontally on the pack.

 

[slider]

I have one and use with a 22" barrel, scope, and bi-pod. And just the pack properly and it is 100%. Only tip I would give is practice deploying the rifle a few times before hitting the hill/woods

 

[njc110381]

Thanks all. I've had a look at a couple of these now (a special thanks to Bandooki and Gimlet61 for letting me try theirs on and mess about with all the fittings to get it perfect for me). Both the old and the new version work very well and fit nicely. Agreed a bit of muscle training will be needed to reliably grab the rifle, but that's not a problem. I think I'm going to bite the bullet and buy one. When you think about it most of us spend the best part of £1k (some of us considerably more) on a rifle, scope, binoculars, even the stalk itself. £270 to make the experience more comfortable is money well spent I think, and the bags I tried on were certainly comfortable!

Time to dent the debit card. I'll post up when I get back from Scotland too with a review of how I've got on with it.