Single Shot Rifle

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

The smiling swordsman

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2012
Messages
52
Got to shoot my cousins Ruger #1 in a 223 a couple of weeks ago. It was really fun to shoot but I don't really see many people with single shot rifles.

1. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages to single shot rifles?
2. Who else makes quality single shots?
 
The major factor involved with shooting single shot rifles is to make the first shot count. Hunting with a rifle is really easy in my opinion and having just 1 chance seems fair.

I love my TC Encore Pro Hunter. I've got a 7mm-08 barrel on the way! Can't wait to try the new barrel out......
 
VERY strong action on that #1. Usually (and can be made) VERY accurate. Even longer barrels make short and compact guns due to the short actions. VERY PURTY IMHO. Love my #1 but it is a 45-70.
 
I also use the TC's. Have an Encore rifle in .308 and a Contender pistol with a 30-30 barrel AND a .223 barrel. Wonderful deer killer AND vermin killer too.
 
The only single shots that tend to run with bolt actions in terms of absolute accuracy potential are also bolt actions.

Many of the other single shot actions come with all sorts of baggage that limits their accuracy potential. Forends hanging from the bbl, non linear with the bore locking mechanisms, no mechanical advantage on primary chambeeing and extraction must to name a few.

The biggest advantage single shots have is they're much much shorter than repeating forearms. On a single shot the action is only as long as the breach blocking mechanism. This allows for a 24" single shot to be almost as short as a 18" bolt action.
 
I love Ruger No. 1s, I always have an extra shell or 2 very handy in case of a follow up shot. there are several more out there, but the No.1 is just a beautiful piece of work.
 
I have 3 single shots, 2 break opens and one falling block. The simplicity puts the fun in shooting them.
 
I have two single shot rifles, a pretty much standard H&R Handi in 30-06 and another H&R based Mannlicher stocked 45 Colt (reamed to 454 Casull) carbine. I also bought a Rossi single shot 22lr and 410 for the kids (another great thing about single shots - safety) but that's a gun I will never love. My 30-06 weighs just 7lbs scoped and is 36" total length with a 22" bbl. My carbine is 34" total length.

I love the no 1 and would especially like an RSI in stainless.
 
My single shot rifle was made circa 1878. It is a .45-70 JM Marlin Ballard #5 Pacific. It is a joy to shoot and very accurate, for me, but for my very good shooting bud, it is phenomenally accurate.
 
Had a New England Firearms .270. Great little gun. Very short. Killed everything I shot with it. If you practice you can get real fast at realoading. I killed 2 deer out of a heard of 4 before they got outta sight. Sadly someone else wanted it more than me and stole it from my house. That'll happen when you don't lock the door. I'm thinking of picking up another.
 
There are some who like the challenge. While others like nothing better
than seeing their barrel get to hot to touch. Different strokes for different folks.
 
1. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages to single shot rifles?
Click to expand...

I really like falling block single shot rifles like the Sharps, the Ruger #1, #3, and the Win 1885. They are very simple and elegant. However, one disadvantage with them compared to a bolt action rifle that hasn’t been touched on is their two piece stock. The forearm is usually supported in part by the barrel. This can lead to accuracy issues. Ruger #1 accuracy for example can vary greatly with changes in forearm fit. Nevertheless, I still end up wanting to take home every falling block rifle I see...
 
"...I don't really see many people with single shot rifles."

Ahem... cough, cough...


standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg


standard.jpg


I don't think there is any practical advantage to a single shot rifle. As a sporting rifle I don't think there's much disadvantage, either. People talk about a fast follow up shot but if you miss with the first shot, most hunters will not be able to work a bolt fast enough for a second before an animal makes good his vamoose.

I love single shot rifles but not for practical reasons. I find them aesthetically pleasing and fun to shoot. They have panache. In our high tech, fast paced world they remind us of a simpler time. They are classics.
 
A single made me a better marksman and hunter. When I was just starting to shoot/hunt seriously I found myself relying on the follow up shot to be the money shot and the first shot just as kind of a get the feel for it shot. Well we all know this isn't the best method when hunting med/large game so I started using single .22's for small game and a single
.270 for the bigger stuff. A .308 single bolt gun was my target gun. You would be surprised how well you can learn to shoot accurately if all you got is one bullet to do the job. Don't get me wrong I have plenty of various repeaters but when I want to check myself I grab a single.
 
They're fun. If you like the look, they're cool and historical.

And unlike my AR & mini-14, when my back hurts, I don't have to bend over to pick up brass :eek:

This is a Browning Low Wall in .22 Hornet with a Burris 6x scope. Shoots very well, and if you like the feel of precision mechanical movement, a joy to operate.

standard.jpg
 
Single Shot Rifles

I love my NEF Handi- Rifle in 500 S&W Magnum its shoots excellent & hits HARD both ways lol I have used a single shot rifle for most of my life . Iam currently paying on me a Weatherby Vanguard 300 WBY Magnum Series 2 its NIB & i got it for $540.00 +Va Sales Tax. But no semi, pump, bolt, lever, willever replace my single shot if NEF produced thier Handi-Rifle in the 300 WBY Magnum ii would be paying on it instead of the bolt action.;)
 
People talk about a fast follow up shot but if you miss with the first shot, most hunters will not be able to work a bolt fast enough for a second before an animal makes good his vamoose.
Click to expand...


I get a kick out of people talking about a fast follow up shot. If they can't hit the dang thing standing still, how do they expect to hit it running away, which it will almost certainly be doing shortly after the first shot. I've seen them stand there a couple of times, but not very often. Now if you're hunting dangerous game, I can see wanting a quick follow up because some of those can take a hit and keep coming.

A Ruger #1 is definately on my want list. They're just beautiful. I wish they chambered it in .280 Rem, but I guess you can't have it all.
 
a few months ago I got within 50 yards of a #200 or so boar in the open, I got my Ruger No. 1 .22-250 and put a good shot on him, he turned and ran right straight in my direction, he did NOT charge me, just ran where he could. I had a 2nd shell in my hand and that shot was almost point blank as he ran by me at about ten feet. I had to finish him off with my .45 colt with 300 grain Buffalo Bore. hogs are tough and can take lots of punishment, then again you can drop em with a .17hmr. I hunt every day, some people like the H&Rs (NEF) but I dont or wont rely on them. I love a beautiful Ruger No.1, no matter what caliber.
 
My hunting rifle is an H/R .223 single.
Simple, reliable, darn easy to clean. Built like a tank too
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
break-open action single-shot rifle, what's the point?
2 3
Replies
68
Views
13K
tju1973
T
S
  • Locked
Single-shot rifles for SHTF/Truck rifles?...
Replies
10
Views
3K
retiredsgt
R
F
  • Locked
Single Shot Rifles - boring?
2 3 4
Replies
87
Views
4K
wesmonster
W
D
  • Locked
Rossi Single Shot Rifles?
Replies
5
Views
863
rbernie
rbernie
C
  • Locked
Single shot?
2
Replies
46
Views
2K
ColeK
C
Back
Top