Single Shot Rifles

[Nastrowie!]

Any experience with some of the affordable single shots out there? It would be used primarily as a loaner/backup so please no ruger #1's. I'm Considering New England Arms, Remington International, H&R and anything else affordable. Also prefer 30-30 or 30-06 as I have die sets and projectiles for each. Really looking for good value, have heard the NEF is decent but I like the rail on the remington international despite being made in...who knows... serbia or wherever. It's mainly for my nephew, going into his first white tail season. I remember using a single shot 30-30 that I was loaned my first year, it was dead on and served me well.

 

[GodGuns&Guitars]

I think I lean towards the H&R. Where I use to live in Arkansas they sold like hot cakes for children boys/girls getting ready for their first deer hunts and with the right optics seem to be very accurate. We also gave quite a few away for youth hunts at the local Friends of the NRA banquets we held down there. Never heard any complaints.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Any experience with some of the affordable single shots out there? It would be used primarily as a loaner/backup so please no ruger #1's. I'm Considering New England Arms, Remington International, H&R and anything else affordable. Also prefer 30-30 or 30-06 as I have die sets and projectiles for each. Really looking for good value, have heard the NEF is decent but I like the rail on the remington international despite being made in...who knows... serbia or wherever. It's mainly for my nephew, going into his first white tail season. I remember using a single shot 30-30 that I was loaned my first year, it was dead on and served me well.

The rem is made in Russia

I have owned em all and do own the remington, The thing about the rem is that rail you like in actuality completely sucks requiring very good rimfire rings that still may slip and providing you with no flexibility in mounting the scope front to rear. Luckily the sights are pretty good because I gave up on scoping mine.

The NEF is good but like all break action single shots they're not gonna win any accuracy competitions anytime soon. If a scope is important go with the handi-rifle, if not I much prefer the lines and operation of the Remington

In my opinion nowadays for not much more $$$$ (about 50) the current crop of entry level bolt actions is a much better bang for your buck

 

[rmuzz]

I have an NEF in .22-250, its nice enough... honestly havent really given it a good workout, shot only fairly close range. I like it though, but cant give much of a review on it. The nice part is though the option to send it back to the factory to get another barrel or two. Im debating whether or not to get one or more (barrels) in the near future/pre-fall for deer. a .357 to go along with my s&w 19-5? I'd need a shotgun/slug barrel depending where in MN i'll hunt. Wouldnt mind having a 45/70 or .500 s&w either, but maybe harder to justify. I dont want to pay a bunch of shipping to send it in multiple trips, and it has to go in to be fit for each exra barrel. I have a friend with an NEF 20 gauge that I like a lot.

I'm still thinking on it, could easily end up with new different shotgun and maybe bolt gun instead. Still pretty new to hunting and working on buying my own tools.

 

[shaggy430]

If I were you I'd lean towards the NEF if you plan to use a scope. I've heard the Remingtons are great if you want to use the iron sights, but the small scope rail is a joke.

 

[PAPACHUCK]

I have a NEF "Survivor" in .308 that will print 1-2" 100yd groups all day long. It is a "fun gun" for me, but would work wonderfully as a whitetail rifle.

At $250 incl. scope, how can you go wrong?

 

[natman]

The NEF and the H&R are pretty much the same rifle.

The Remington Spartan series was made in Russia. Quality control was inconsistent and Remington has dropped the entire line.

You might want to take a look at the Marlin XL7. Not much more money, but a very nice rifle.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I have a NEF Handi Rifle in 30-30/.410 bore/.357 magnum. Very good open sights, takes a weaver rail scope mount.

Very good accuracy, but it's very light, so it kicks a bit with heavy .30-30 loads. Trigger is heavy, but crisp.

Accessory barrels have to be fitted by NEF, they were $65 fitted ten years ago.

 

[KenWP]

I hunt with single shot rifles all the time and I wanted a NEF in 243 and the gun shop I went to refused to order one as they said they didn't handle cheap guns. A lot of guns stores that handle them sell out pretty fast and they don't special order them as they get them in groups instead. I would not hesitate to use one in a 30 caliber as they are plenty good enough for hunting. My 303 had 22 tip off mounts on it and that's probbably why I had trouble keeping it sighted in. I have tried to mount a scope on my Savage 22 over 2o gauge on that cheap groove they have on them and it's a poor mount to say the least.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I find the Rossi single shot to be a significantly better value than the NEFs. Both are suitable for hunting, accuracy-wise. But the Rossis cost less, have a lower hammer (can get your optics lower), and have a safety where the NEF does not. The other day, I was just dry firing my NEF in .243 and I'm crappin ya negatory, out of the blue, the tip of the hammer just broke off and flew a few feet, along with the hammer extension piece. Now I cannot put the hammer extension back onto what's left of the hammer, and so it's a bealzubich to cock and un-cock, which is double unsafe with no safety.

But there are a LOT of NEF Handi fans over at the Graybeard forums. And unlike the Rossis, the NEFs are made here in the United States, if that matters to ya.

 

[lefteyedom]

Get a NEF/H&R and you will be happy. I have had a couple of 45/70 handi rifles and a 12 guage sluggester all work great and shot much better than one would think for the price.

I, being the type that can not leave well enough alone would get a 30/30 and have it rechambered for 30/40 Kraig. Just for fun of course.

 

[federalfarmer]

I have an H&R in .223 with a fixed 6 power Leop. scope -- and it shoots great.
The gun a used scope came to $305 -- great preformance for the money.

Usually around .80 to 1 inch (at 100) if I do my part.

I would love a few more - .270,.300,.22 mag.

 

[Teacher75482]

I like the looks of the Remington/bakal/russian rifle. Was not aware of the scope mount being so bad.

I had a Rossi in 243. Didnt like anything in 100 gn but shoot the 85s well enough.

Tried and true, the NEF/H&R are nice little rifles. I would like one in 45/70, or another interesting caliber.

I will check out the Survivor in 308. Seem like I almost bought one awhile back. Neat little gun.

 

[cottonmouth]

The Remington is crap! A friend of mine got one for his son and it would not even fire. The New England is a better gun.

J.B.

 

[murdoc rose]

I like h&r but tbh h&r,nef,new england is all the same gun.

 

[jmr40]

Have you considered the Marlin XL-7 or Stevens 200 bolt rifles. If you are looking for an inexpensive back up or loaner rifle they sell for about the same price as most of the single shots. Nothing wrong with the single shots, but for the same money, or even a little more I would just prefer a bolt gun.

 

[FLNT4EVR]

Get the NEF in 30-30. It is one of their best and most accurate rifles. Cheap to shoot, ammo available everywhere, enough power for just about everything,and if you reload you can use pointy bullets in many different weights. I reloaded some Rem 180 grn rnd nose core locts for mine, using the data in the Sierra Hand gun manual.They shoot under 1in at 100yds from my Handi rifle.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Have you considered the Marlin XL-7 or Stevens 200 bolt rifles. If you are looking for an inexpensive back up or loaner rifle they sell for about the same price as most of the single shots. Nothing wrong with the single shots, but for the same money, or even a little more I would just prefer a bolt gun.

Yes, a big +1 to that!

 

[PAPACHUCK]

Teacher75482, here is a pic of my "Survivor" 308 to inspire you!




I am quite happy with thie rifle, when I do my part it will print 1-2" groups with most quality brand ammo. With a better scope, I'm sure the groups could improve.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

Before spending $ on a new H&R, I'd scour Gunbroker and AuctionArms for a Contender carbine; either original or G2. Makes a nice platform to build on. Start with a .22 RF and move on up to .223 and any of the larger caliber/gauge Contender barrel offerings from TC. Of course the Encore is the choice if you want really high intensity rifle cartridges.

The triggers on the Contenders are user adjustable and are very crisp and consistent. My carbine with tapered match .22rf barrel is a deadly accurate offhand shooter on both paper and rodents. It's much cheaper to practice with rimfire and then swap in the larger caliber barrel when it's time to hunt. You might save enough with this approach to justify the more expensive gun to begin with. Nothing beats familiarity with one's gun.
FWIW
Bob

 

[dannyabear]

Well, guys, I'm partial to my Remington International/Bakail 223 with the nickle reciever; It will get more 'looks and compliments' then any h&r/handi; and it will out shoot any of them with its hammer forged barrel;
Scope mounting is not a problem if you do a little research.
There is an adapter plate available (bought mine on ebay) that clamps to the euro rail and adapts to weaver rings, I am, however, considering having a gunsmith drill & tap the rail so the adaprt will be screwed down rather than just clamped. This adapter lets you move scope forward or back for proper eye relief.
Budsgunshop had a few left for $238.00 shipped

 

[AKElroy]

I picked up an H&R .243 from Academy last month as a B-Day gift for my son. Since he is only 8, this is sitting for him while he learns the basics. By sitting and waiting for him, I mean I am going to be shooting it alot. I am very impressed with the handling qualities of this little rifle. It came with a Simmons 3x9x40 8-point, which can be picked up anywhere for less than $40.00.

I would stick with the rifle only & put decent optics on it rather than the low quality Simmons. The original mounts & rings were crap, and the gun would not zero as one of the 4 ring screws was stripped. Luckily, I have a cave full of used mounts & rings, so I was able to re-mount the scope with a decent set of rings.

I sighted the gun in yesterday in less than 15 rounds, (Single shots are super easy to bore sight, literally) and even with a fairly stiff wind was able to shoot MOA with Winchester 100 grn. Very accurate little rifle & very little recoil in this caliber.

 

[AKElroy]

and it will out shoot any of them with its hammer forged barrel

;

I doubt it. Marlin makes NEF and H&R now, and is supplying excellent button rifled barrels that really shoot. The other factors may be true & the Baikal may be a good deal; but for accuracy the Marlin / HR / NEF are hard to beat.

 

[Geno]

For the money, you will have difficulty finding better single shots than T/C Arms.

First, all of the models carry MOA guarantees. Either the Contender or the Encore are wonderful firearms.

Second one does not have to return the Contender, G2 Contender or Encore action to the factory for extra fitting to add new caliber (barrel) choices. All T/C barrels are interchangeable with zero prep-work (Encore to Encore and Contender to Contender).

Third, the caliber selection is near limitless with TC. Their custom shop offers nearly 200 calibers, and if they do not have what you want, they will create it for you.

Fourth, both the Contender and Encore models are to be had in both rimfire and centerfire.

In closing, based on my own experiences with Contenders and Encores, my nod for trigger-friendly goes to the Contender. However, if you plan to step-up into some brut-force calibers (.338 Win Mag; .375 H&H Mag. ; .416 Rigby) then Encore gets the nod.

T/C Arms: www.tcarms.com

Encores: http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/encoreCenterfire.php

Contender (G2): http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/g2ContenderCenterfire.php

Geno

 

[R.W.Dale]

Well, guys, I'm partial to my Remington International/Bakail 223 with the nickle reciever; It will get more 'looks and compliments' then any h&r/handi; and it will out shoot any of them with its hammer forged barrel;

Your experience does not mirror mine.,

First off all Russian guns have chrome lined bores, something that doesn't lend itself to outstanding feats of accuracy.

Second as with all Russian guns QC is a completely foreign concept, my 7.62x39 Remington single shot was shipped to me with a blatantly out of round neck shoulder junction in it's chamber, in the end I reamed it to 303british but it still shot no better than 2MOA

Third, these guns have a typical third world single shot shotgun trigger, mine broke at well over 6lbs

Forth we're bragging about accuracy amongst break action firearms. That's like bragging about being the smartest kid in special ed class. I've owned just about every break action rifle you think of with over a dozen different frames and barrels. They all share one thing in common. I would get sick and tired of their variable and general lack of accuracy. Yeah I know I'm an idiot for buying more of em, but every couple years I see one and fall in love with how light compact and handy they are.......Then I shoot the darn thing

To the OP do yourself a huge favor, spend $50 more on a Marlin xl7 or stevens200