Has anyone had any experience with this pack? I am considering it, because it will comfortably haul a rifle, has two pouches suitable for hydration systems and claims to have 3800 c.i. I am looking for something to carry a copious ammount of gear for long hauls that will hold up to abuse.

Any experience with this equipment/suggestions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

I tried that, it really didn't work well.

I came to that conclusion myself. Which is why I was hoping for a critique of this system since it is uber-expensive. I didn't just want to leap into it. I like the fact that I can stow a long arm and that it allows for duel water bladder systems. It has 3800 c.i. but I am wondering if that will give me enough room for expedition type supplies, and would it reliably let me strap my stuff bag of ECWS bags and my Eureka Assault 4 to the outer straps?

When I get equipment, I believe in testing them, but this would be an expenive trial. On their site I have seen service personel using it-but that is the companies bragging rights and they all make them. How, this system would apply to real world, being out there, and you can't just go home because you "forgot something".

The pack in question:
http://www.botachtactical.com/ebmcm3oppa.html

Getting any recommendations based on any particular make and model is going to be hit or miss and is likely to be subject to a strong self-selection bias. Your talking about a $390, plus S&H, backpack marketed toward military, or wannabe military, users. There are just too many functionally equivalent backpacks out there for there to be many people who have bought that particular make and model. Those who have spent close to $400 on a backpack are highly unlikely to be anything but complimentary.

A guy who spends $60,000 on a sports car is unlikely to admit it isn't functionally any better than a $12,000 econo-box. Even if the former gets most of its road miles behind a tow truck, and spends more time in the shop than his garage, while the later is a guaranteed smooth, if not exceptionally high performance, 200,000 miles with above average fuel economy. But then again the econo-box comes with no bragging rights and the sport car looks good standing still.

You may see it differently but IMHO just about any full sized pack can carry a rifle sleeved and strapped to the side or back. It isn't hard to rig up and it isn't uncommon for people to see hunters packing their rifle without resort to a specially designed pack. Most packs built in the last fifteen years has provisions for carrying a bladder. Those that don't are usually not difficult to convert. Often just a matter of opening up and stopping a seam for the hose.

As far as similar sized quality bags go I suspect that you could get one for a lot less than $400. Catch a sale and you could save close to $200. It wouldn't have the nifty name, macho mystique of a "true go-to-war pack" or features designed for a sniper, and so it might not do it for you, but alternatives might be worth consideration.

You make a good point, this whole this is subjective. I am just looking for the very best that I can afford, because some day my life my depend on the items stuffed in that big "turtle shell" straped to my back. Because, someday, if the SHTF, there is no "going home". So, I am trying to research, well, everything from a longevity perspective.

I'm trying to operate from the mindset of "do I have the right equipment" durability/reliabiliy/functionality to thrive and survive for extended periods of time.

Here is a link for a pack that you could attach a sleeve to that would work for you I use it for hunting all the time and it works great for a fraction of the price.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores...SSELL_THUMBNAIL

SOrry sent the wrong link here is the pack I meant to link

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores...SSELL_THUMBNAIL

Eberlestock makes some pretty solid packs. Have had the chance to play with a number of different models I can tell you that you won't go wrong purchasing one. Yes they are expensive and yes the are purpose built for military users (although they do have a good hunting line as well) so they may be overkill for some. However comparing an Eberlestock pack to the knock-offs Cheaper then Dirt sells would be more akin to comparing a $60,000 sports car to an imitation of a $12,000 built with cheaper materials by under-skilled workers.

I don't know what your actual application will be, but you mentioned abuse and long distances. The Eberlestock will do the job, do it well and hold up to all but the worst you can throw at it. No matter what pack you decide on, if you want a pack that is built well enough to carry a heavy load (relatively) comfortably on a long abusive trek(s) then you are going to need to spend some money. Sure there are civilian packs that work, but the really good ones are expensive as well.

When it comes to survival and field equipment... You get what you pay for.

So I hear "operator" I still think of a nasally-pitched woman connecting phone jacks into big banks of equipment.

Never heard of this company, though I've seen similar concept packs.

My question... what "operator" carries his rifle where he can't get to it quickly? (Pardon the male pronouns) The possible exception being a sniper, but even then, I think they have cases designed around the rifle, not the rifle as an afterthought, which is what this appears to me. Looks kinda gimmicky.

YMMV.