Hunting with a single shot?

[Kestrel]

It seems kind of interesting to try out a single shot for hunting. I'm thinking about one maybe in a .30-06. (Still in the thinking stage.) I'm considering these rifles:

- T/C Encore
- Ruger Number 1
- NEF Handi Rifle (I know it's in a lower class than the other two.)

Do any of you hunt with any of these? Which do you think are the most accurate? What kind of accuracy could I expect to get with each of these?

With the Encore or the Handi Rifle, you can get multiple barrels. In the Ruger, you could get a .338 win mag...

ALSO! What do you hunt with a single shot?

Thanks!
Steve

 

[Dave R]

My buddy and I both hunt varmits (rock chucks and pairie dogs) with singe-shots. His is a Ruger No. 1 in 220 Swift. Mine is a Martini Cadet in .17/.357mag.

His No.1 looks to me to be 1/2MOA accurate. He's a good shooter, and I have seen him hit 2" of target at lasered 276 yards. Mine shoots just under MOA, but I don't take shots beyond 150 or so.

The Ruger would probably be my first choice, but I haven't heard many bad comments on the others, either.

 

[WonderNine]

Hi Dave, I'm just wondering how that works. Firing .17 HMR and .357 out of the same gun. Do you have to change the barrel and the breach to switch between ammo?

 

[BlkHawk73]

I use a Ruger #1 (another on the way shortly) and know two people that use a NEF/H&R single-shot. Because of the cartridges, i can't really compare accuracy with these speimins. All are more than accurate enough for what they're used for. (#1 for varmints, others for med/lg game) A co-worker uses his H&R 45-70 in cowboy shoots and I can attest to the accuarcy. Using his handloads, I was able to get outstanding groups out past 100yrds. Remember, you don't need MOA from a hunting rifle; only need "minute of deer".

 

[Gewehr98]

Not afraid of anything on the North American continent.

(But I do carry 5 extra rounds in the sling, and sometimes one in my off hand) .45-70 Ruger #1S, it digests everything from my 500gr cast bullet blackpowder loads at 1300fps, to my 405gr Beartooth/Reloder 7 zingers moving at 2000fps. If your shot placement is good enough, the gun will do it's job. It looks classy, too.

 

[mete]

The fact that every hunter should know is that the first shot must be good and penetrate into and do damage to the vitals. That's because when hit the animal is flooded with adrenalin and you will loose it if the shot isn't good. This is the seventh year I have hunted deer with a browning 1885 in 45-70. A great , accurate, gun and cartridge. Pick the cartridge that best suits the game and conditions that you hunt. As for small game I've never used anything but a single shot.

 

[cdbeaver]

I own both a Ruger No. 1 and an NEF Handi rifle. The Ruger is chambered for .22-250, the NEF has two barrels, one in .45-70, the other in .22 Hornet.

The Handi Rifle must be sent to the factory to be fitted with a new barrel. Once done, the barrels are interchangeable, with little or no change in point of impact. Scope sights are attached to the barrel, not the receiver.

One-shot kills on game are not difficult, IF the shooter is careful with his shot, does not attempt to take game at too great a distance, and uses adequate gun for the job.

Quick second shots with a single shot are problematic, with a lot of practice required if one expects to become adept at achieving a follow-up shot. I prefer to make the first shot count, or pass up a questionable opportunity.

 

[critter]

Just this season, I killed a nice 7-pt (nice for me!) whitetail and a hog with a Ruger #1 in 45-70.

I have hunted with semi-auto's and bolt guns for many years. Only in a VERY FEW instances did anything but the first shot do any good. Single shots are rarely a handicap and I believe make you think more about doing the first shot right.

 

[Kestrel]

I agree, in most hunting situations, a single-shot is completely adequate.

Gewehr - just curious. Why do you load black powder in your .45-70? (I'm assuming you're loading it in the brass cartridge?) I've seen references to doing this, but don't know why. Is it just for fun or nostalgia?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Dr.Rob]

Unless dangerous game is on your agenda, a single shot is fine.

I know two guys that hunt with single shot Ruger No. 1's, one in 45-70, another in 300 Win mag. Both are elk rifles.

I've fired a number of the handy rifles, they can be accurate but getting the right ammo/bullet/powder charge has been tough, esp in .223. In .243, it's a dandy antelope rifle.

I came very close to buying a rRuger #1 in 375.

 

[redneck2]

yeah...I deer hunt with a single shot..

Knight 54 Caliber Muzzle loader

worked for mebbe 400-500 years

oughta work now

 

[Gewehr98]

Steve, it's both fun, and educational...

I have a 100+ year old Remington Rolling Block, rebuilt into a Creedmoor Long-Range target rifle. It's safe only for low-pressure blackpowder loads. On a whim, I took one of my blackpowder .45-70-450 swaged bullet loads intended for that Rolling Block, and fired it from my Ruger #1S. The point of impact was considerably higher, but to my surprise the group was a nice cloverleaf at 50 yards. So it then became one of my favorite target loads for that Ruger #1S, comfortable and accurate, and the gun's timeless design doesn't look too out of place with blackpowder loads, either. Our shooting ancestors had even better black powder way back then, so I honestly believe Harry Pope and his contemporaries knew a thing or two about accurate shooting with something other than smokeless powder.

My 5'2" wife isn't big on hard-kicking guns. But notice the big grin on her face as she rolls back from touching off a blackpowder 450gr round in the rifle. She rang the heck out of a 100 yard steel swinging plate, from offhand. No wonder she's grinning.

For elk or bear, I load the stout, 2000fps Beartooth 405gr rounds. It's nice to have a gun that can run the gamut between the two extremes.

 

[Butch]

I own 3 Ruger #1's & they are great guns for hunting anything that can be hunted. One is a 22-250 that I use on varmints like prarie poodles, coyotes & the like. Next is a 243 that is used for anything larger than a coydog but smaller than 220lb deer. Then I have one that I use for anything larger than that & feral hogs of all sizes (now I get Flamed but yes I use it on Elk & Moose ) a 7x57 international. I am thinking about getting something bigger but have never needed larger, in 45 years of hunting all over the USA.

 

[saddlebum]

tc contender carbine, 223 for varmits. h&r 308 ultra deer. saddlebum

 

[Black Snowman]

I have a Browning model 78 in .30-06 that I would use for hunting if it weren't so pretty and I hunted more than once in a lifetime (which has been the rate so far).

 

[Tamara]

My .243 Number 1 RSI was completely adequate for hunting last week.

Of course, I never actually saw anything to shoot at, but still...

 

[Mattkc]

Might check out Mossberg SSI I have one in 308 with an extra barrel in 223. Nicer then the NEF but you have to shop around for a good deal. My local Dick's has them between $269-$300 depending if their on sale. It's a heavy gun though. I found the 223 barrel on line for $150 and you don't have to send the gun into the maker to have it fitted. In a lot of areas the gun is selling for $400-$450 I would pass at that price and go for the TC.