Single barrels for hunting

H&R used single barrel shotguns(with outside hammer) can be found for under 100.00. I have a near mint one I paid 80.00 for with two boxes of shells that I use as a loaner when needed. eastbank.

You bet.
I have several single barrels, including a Savage 94 that had belonged to my late friend.

For some unexplainable reason, my hunting experience is most enjoyable to me when I use the minimum amount of modern hardware.

I hunt turkeys with the 94.(my friends turkey gun). I have plans to have it duracoated in camouflage.

A break action shotgun, single shot or double, can be reloaded pretty fast with practice. While rate of fire is something to consider it isn't as much a handicap as a lot think

I like the hammered style because I am clumsy and fall a lot.

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If you're clumsy a hammer gun is probably a poor choice then. They are the easiest to have an AD with. Falling or otherwise. I strongly advise against any type of exposed hammer gun for beginners. It is quite common for a shooter to cock the gun, not get a shot and then have to uncock the gun. This is where many AD happen. It is also possible for brush to come into contact with the hammer while walking and cock the hammer. Guns with exposed hammers are for seasoned shooters.

They are cheap, light, easily carried, and like doubles are compact for barrel length. Probably a good choice for turkey or even squirrel hunting in thick stuff. But the light weight and poor balance make them less than ideal for shooting moving game. It can be done, but you are working at a bit of a handicap.

I have no interest in them. But hunting is something we do for fun. I believe in using the guns we enjoy using.

jmr40 said:

I strongly advise against any type of exposed hammer gun for beginners.

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Wrong

My first shotgun was a single barrel Iver Johnson Champion. I've many fond memories of it.
Since we're doomed to hunt with non-toxic shot here in CA, I'd love to find a single barrel with chrome bores that can handle steel.

I recall an article in an old Gun Digest. One of the editors committed to using nothing but a single for the entire year. He got one of each brand available at the time, but had a Stevens smoothed up and the choke reduced from full that he did most of his shooting with. He said he did not see enough opportunities for true doubles while hunting that he missed a repeater or double. He and some like minded friends shot "single barrel skeet" in which the second bird of doubles was thrown after a 5 second delay.

He asked a friend in the gun business about the prospects for a high end hunting single, light weight, hammerless, vent rib, nice wood, maybe a little Grade I engraving; but a good deal less expensive than a comparable double or O/U. The friend said it sounded nice, he might be able to sell as many as 50 such guns, not nearly enough to pay for tooling up.

The nearest thing I ever saw to that was the gun that Ruger made up for Roger Barlow as a debilitating disorder made it difficult for him to heft or swing a heavier gun. They took a Red Label O/U and stubbed off and skeletonized the bottom barrel into just a foreend hanger. Left out the bottom barrel lockwork and put it in a slim stock.

I could use my 4E Ithaca, but no safety.

I only use single shots for turkeys and deer.
One shot should be sufficient

Armored farmer said:

I could use my 4E Ithaca, but no safety.

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A Trapshooter here said his BT99 would take a squirrel out of a tall tree.

Now that retirement has arrived I've been in the process of rediscovering the old single barrel break action 16 ga. Iver Johnson that was my dad's first shotgun in the early 1940's. It's light and handy and that makes it pleasant to carry, at least for me anyway. Doesn't pound your shoulder badly either, compared to some of the old 12 ga. break open singles I shot years ago, ( H & R's maybe? I don't recall the exact make.). Like Armored Farmer says: " My hunting experience is most enjoyable to me when I use the minimum amount of modern hardware". Along with the rationale always heard about single shot rifles like the Ruger #1 in that it's more traditional and speaks of proper marksmanship in making that one shot count.

Armored farmer

For some unexplainable reason, my hunting experience is most enjoyable to me when I use the minimum amount of modern hardware.

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I agree! Some times it's more about the quality time spent just kicking around in the woods than it is about the actual hunt. My single shot Marlin 120 is perfect for those occasions.

My ability to hit moving targets with most single shots is much less than with a "regular" shotgun. I have an H&R 12 that I have missed plenty of doves with. It works ok for squirrels. I would never chose it over my Browning if I'm there to kill animals. I do take it if I'm out scouting or walking the dog.

HB

Jim Watson said:

A Trapshooter here said his BT99 would take a squirrel out of a tall tree.

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I'm sure it would, lol.
I would have a problem with it if I wanted to take my single barrel, just leave it open 'til youre ready.

bannockburn said:

Armored farmer



I agree! Some times it's more about the quality time spent just kicking around in the woods than it is about the actual hunt. My single shot Marlin 120 is perfect for those occasions.

View attachment 763202

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'Zactly

I like more than 1 shot when I'm dove hunting because I need them- frequently. I really don't care to suck up recoil from turkey loads or buckshot in a light shotgun of that type. We do have 3 of them that we inherited from deceased relatives and the like- 2 H&R's (1 in 410, one 16 gauge) and a stevens 20 gauge. I suppose I may use the 20 or 410 for squirrels after the first frost, if I get time to do it. Otherwise, they are pretty useless to me.

Those light break open shotguns can be a handful with buckshot, turkey, and slug loads which produce more recoil in anything they get fired in. Light shotguns lack the extra weight that helps to soak up that recoil. But when milder game loads like # 6 or # 8 shot are used the light guns come into their own by combining light weight for comfortable carry with the milder recoil of those game loads. I'd wager that the lighter break opens were not designed with buckshot & slugs as a primary use because the designers were fully aware of recoil issues in light shotguns. I can recall touching off 12 ga. turkey loads in a friend's old break open single ( H & R ?) years ago and they were brutal. My old 16 ga. Iver Johnson Champion single gets limited to the milder game loads that it seems it was designed to handle as a nice balance between gun weight and recoil. Speaking of balance they also balance nicely while being very light at the same time.

My first shotgun as a youngster was an Iver Johnson 20ga. single shot. I shot my first rabbit, partridge, duck, pheasant, and whitetail deer with it. Fact of the matter is I still have that gun, btw I cleaned it all up and made it down right pretty if I do say so myself.

My first shotgun was a 20 gauge SPR100, or Baikal, or EAA, or whatever you want to call those Russian imports. Kicked like an absolute mule. I was given my fathers old 870 12 gauge and was pleasantly surprised it kicked considerably less.

After a few months the bead blew out of the hole of the 20 and we never found a replacement. I ended up sawing it down to 18.5, using a piece of twine as a bead, attaching a sling, and drilling a compartment in the buttstock for matches (funny what you think is a good idea at 20). Ended up selling it as part of a package. I miss it sometimes. It wasn't a good gun, but there is always something about your first.

Armored farmer said:

For some unexplainable reason, my hunting experience is most enjoyable to me when I use the minimum amount of modern hardware.

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Same.
Im a big fan of the single. I learned the value of one shot from the very beginning when I found my first gun, a single shot 410 under the Christmas tree. After many boxes of practice, I held my own with the adults using 20 ga and 12 ga at our farm shooting hand thrown clays. I still own it and have purchased more singles since. Today I bought my very first T/C Contender G2 frame assembly. You can say I'm a fan of the single shot.

I too really enjoy the one-shooters. Some years back, I looked into the question of a quick second shot. The manual of arms I came up with works pretty well. 'Course, it's better still if you hit your target the first time you shoot...

http://shootery.blogspot.com/2010/05/speedy-reloading-of-single-shot-shotgun.html

Doubles on pheasant, possible?

Never tried a quick 2nd shot with my old break open. I should time myself just out of curiosity. My old Iver Johnson was my dad's pheasant gun in the early 1940's until he went into the Navy in 1943. Never heard him mention 2nd shots but I do recall hearing about "Make that first shot count" . Pheasant hunting without a dog means sometimes you could practically step on a pheasant before they'd flush. That's when dad said he had to force himself to hold off on the trigger for about an extra second or two because the gun was full choke and at close range the pattern hadn't opened up much so it was easier to miss your target. The trick was to drop the hammer when the bird was just far enough out where your shot was still quite lethal but your pattern had spread out more and increased your hit probability. That extra second also taught you to get on target with a good sight picture quickly but without rushing it too much which usually means a miss. That's one of the finer points involved with making that one and only shot count. Single shots really do teach shooters to make hits because you learn from your mistakes and get that pride of making one good quick hit.

Jacobs said:

My first shotgun was a 20 gauge SPR100, or Baikal, or EAA, or whatever you want to call those Russian imports. Kicked like an absolute mule. I was given my fathers old 870 12 gauge and was pleasantly surprisedNew it kicked considerably less.

After a few months the bead blew out of the hole of the 20 and we never found a replacement. I ended up sawing it down to 18.5, using a piece of twine as a bead, attaching a sling, and drilling a compartment in the buttstock for matches (funny what you think is a good idea at 20). Ended up selling it as part of a package. I miss it sometimes. It wasn't a good gun, but there is always something about your first.

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I consider vthe model 18 Baikal or SPR100 whatever you want to call it, to be an excellent single shotgun.
Simple reliable with a great opening mechanism and a half decent trigger pull, the Russians really think about practical usage when designing guns its not all about cheapening the guns build cost either, take the Baikal MP153 and SPR453 semi autos these guns are simple and many meganisum parts are simple stamped flat steel parts you could duplicate in a shed with basic tools should the need arise.
Operation in the field again practical mag cut off latch speed load feature ideal for field operation and a pleasure to use, i diversify but only if you excuse me to point out a fact the Russians who design their guns clearly use them a field a lot always reassuring i feel and the baikal single is no exception with regards to incorporation of practical features in its use.
Hard chrome barrels alleviate the need for polishing for good patterns some thing that is often felt to be a requirement at least by some people to a good patterning turkey gun by example.
And with regarding singles and their practicality in the field i am of the opinion simplicity is not only feels pure but it is fulfilling too, going through a season with a self imposed reservation is charecter building and to be admired i feel.
We live in a time of plenty new everything gone are the days when you hunted with the gun that was there and you were given or allowed to use in your own right.
. Some wingshooting scenarios might leave you longing for the second shot.
I believe the single shot focuses the hunter more, those guns with the capability to shoot two or more rounds are acepted in shooting circles and the singles are so frequently overlooked as a viable hunting weapon and these guns have become virtual outcasts in gun society left only to exist as small veremin shotguns like the .410 for example.
Just how many opportunities in a season would a double be absolutely necessary for. ?

cota said:

I consider vthe model 18 Baikal or SPR100 whatever you want to call it, to be an excellent single shotgun.
Simple reliable with a great opening mechanism and a half decent trigger pull, the Russians really think about practical usage when designing guns its not all about cheapening the guns build cost either, take the Baikal MP153 and SPR453 semi autos these guns are simple and many meganisum parts are simple stamped flat steel parts you could duplicate in a shed with basic tools should the need arise.
Operation in the field again practical mag cut off latch speed load feature ideal for field operation and a pleasure to use, i diversify but only if you excuse me to point out a fact the Russians who design their guns clearly use them a field a lot always reassuring i feel and the baikal single is no exception with regards to incorporation of practical features in its use.
Hard chrome barrels alleviate the need for polishing for good patterns some thing that is often felt to be a requirement at least by some people to a good patterning turkey gun by example.
And with regarding singles and their practicality in the field i am of the opinion simplicity is not only feels pure but it is fulfilling too, going through a season with a self imposed reservation is charecter building and to be admired i feel.
We live in a time of plenty new everything gone are the days when you hunted with the gun that was there and you were given or allowed to use in your own right.
. Some wingshooting scenarios might leave you longing for the second shot.
I believe the single shot focuses the hunter more, those guns with the capability to shoot two or more rounds are acepted in shooting circles and the singles are so frequently overlooked as a viable hunting weapon and these guns have become virtual outcasts in gun society left only to exist as small veremin shotguns like the .410 for example.
Just how many opportunities in a season would a double be absolutely necessary for. ?

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Yeah, it was a good gun. It was just hard to hit with without a bead when I was trying to learn. I did like the location of the lever. It felt very solid.