Hunting with a single shot

[FLYBYU44]

I usually have a collection of 3-4 firearms at a time. And I sell/buy if I become bored with them or need to pay some unexpected expenses. I recently ran into car trouble and sold my entire collection including my pump 12 guage I used for hunting. In the next few weeks I want to get a cheap replacement. I had bought one of Corwin's Sinsinati single shot 12 guages, unfortunately he had the 13" one on sale so I got it. I recently sold it, however I didn't care for the short barrel.

I am thinking of getting the 26" version now for hunting grouse and ducks and anything else I come across. I like the extenal hammer and the choke tubes/ribbed barrel, which are uncommon in a single shot. Have many of you used a single shot for an exclusive hunting gun? What did you like or dislike about it?

 

[S1de8urnz]

Make sure its good for steel shot. I found out the hard way that my over under was not. I will now not buy a shot gun that doesnt say steel shot in the manual. I wouldnt shoot steel threw that gun. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Magellann]

I used to use a single shot back when I first started. I could recommend anything it would be to get a Bennelli or Berretta pump shotgun. It will be th the last one you need for hunting birds

 

[FLYBYU44]

I used to use a single shot back when I first started. I could recommend anything it would be to get a Bennelli or Berretta pump shotgun. It will be th the last one you need for hunting birds

Already had a Ithaca, just sold it to pay some bills.

 

[FLYBYU44]

Make sure its good for steel shot. I found out the hard way that my over under was not. I will now not buy a shot gun that doesnt say steel shot in the manual. I wouldnt shoot steel threw that gun. Just my 2 cents.

They are supposed to be good for steel shot, take Browning invector chokes which are good for steel.

 

[EDJ]

I used a 20g single shot for a few years as my primary shotgun. It was great as I like to pack light and I usually ended up walking a lot. Singles are also usually shorter than pumps/semi's and are better (IMO) to walk in the woods with and also better in a ground blind. I used it to hunt small ponds (ducks), also hunted rabbits and Turkeys with it. Did eventually sell it and went to a Benelli ultra light 20g, still nice and light,its fairly small compared to many 12g, but now I have 2 more available shots.

 

[FLYBYU44]

I used a 20g single shot for a few years as my primary shotgun. It was great as I like to pack light and I usually ended up walking a lot. Singles are also usually shorter than pumps/semi's and are better (IMO) to walk in the woods with and also better in a ground blind. I used it to hunt small ponds (ducks), also hunted rabbits and Turkeys with it. Did eventually sell it and went to a Benelli ultra light 20g, still nice and light,its fairly small compared to many 12g, but now I have 2 more available shots.

Yes, when hunting grouse I will walk 13kms or more and I also like a light weight gun.

 

[300_savage]

Used a 20 guage CIL for the first 3 years, shot lots of ducks & grouse with it. Nothing wrong with a single shot, I think I got alot more ducks per box of shells then, now with a semi if I miss on the first shot the second and third don't hit anything either.

 

[FLYBYU44]

Used a 20 guage CIL for the first 3 years, shot lots of ducks & grouse with it. Nothing wrong with a single shot, I think I got alot more ducks per box of shells then, now with a semi if I miss on the first shot the second and third don't hit anything either.

Ha! I found that with my pump, I would occasionally get doubles but usually just blasting two shells into the air.

 

[28 gauge]

I have an old Winchester/Cooey Model 84 28 gauge that seems to work well on partridge and rabbits.

 

[JR86]

I just picked up the sinsinati single and the DA Backpacker 2 at the beginning of the month. Very nice guns for the price

I prefer the sinsinati, ejector, 18" barrel. Carried it for 6 hours during a rabbit hunt the day after I got it. Screw in chokes are a bonus. I bought mine used on the EE for $190 shipped and it came with a turkey choke and sling. I know they're sold out but if you can get the 18" barrel I find it the perfect length for thick bush hunting.

 

[City Boy]

What didn’t you like about the 13” barrel? Obviously, for serious hunting, that’s not an optimal barrel length, but was it also shooting too high or something like that? Some of these pack away pretty small .... I’ve been on the odd deer hunt or moose hunt where we got skunked, but found grouse everywhere and I could see something like that packed away as handy in those situations.

I had the opportunity to pick up an 18” stoeger double barrel for $350 when wholesale sports went under, but passed and have regretted it ever since. I’m not really into hunting anymore since the old man passed away, but I’ve given thought to getting back into grouse hunting. I can do that on a day trip with little equipment.

 

[FLYBYU44]

What didn’t you like about the 13” barrel? Obviously, for serious hunting, that’s not an optimal barrel length, but was it also shooting too high or something like that? Some of these pack away pretty small .... I’ve been on the odd deer hunt or moose hunt where we got skunked, but found grouse everywhere and I could see something like that packed away as handy in those situations.

I had the opportunity to pick up an 18” stoeger double barrel for $350 when wholesale sports went under, but passed and have regretted it ever since. I’m not really into hunting anymore since the old man passed away, but I’ve given thought to getting back into grouse hunting. I can do that on a day trip with little equipment.

The 13" barrel shot great, but was extremely loud and a little too light, I think the 26" barrel is amost a pound heavier. Plus it was back heavy while you were carrying it, which was annoying as it was awkward to carry. It did fit in my backpack however.

 

[Garaldtao]

I have an old Winchester/Cooey Model 84 28 gauge that seems to work well on partridge and rabbits.

I use to hunt with a Cooey 84 in 12 gauge with a 28 inch barrel and full choke. Had some good times with a gun that cost me under $50. Sold it at the local gun swap for $150 last fall and realize how much I miss the weight and simplicity.

I was over in the UK this winter and almost all the hunters are raving about Over Unders and when I told them that I am kinda a one shot type of hunter, they just loaded 1 shell in the lower barrel.lol. While over there I had the oppertunity to try out a single barrel with a high rib, designed to fit onto a Over Under. I thought that was neat. So when I returned home, I set out to buy the cheapest OU I could posibly find. I have a few Holland and Hollands that I enharited but never shot. They are too pretty, too sentimental, willed to my kids, blah, blah, blah... They are like a nice car you never drive or a sofa that your aunt has cover in plastic that you are not allowed to sit on. Sad, I know.

Anyways, I bought a beat up $450 Browning Citori and I am ready to try it out once the weather gets better. I passed up on an almost new Baikal O/U for $250 and a Baikal sxs for $200 all from the same dealer. Couldn't bring myself to purchase a Baikal. My wife said that she would kill me if I did but was ok with the Browning. The dealer also had a good selection of single shot 12g's at the $100 to $150 mark but for what it is worth, consider a O/U or SxS.

 

[Jay]

Lots of reasonably priced pump shotguns in the EE...

If I were in your shoes, I would likely pick up a Winchester SXP or Benelli Nova.

Cheers
Jay

 

[fraserdw]

Bass Pro has CVA 12 Gauge singles in rifled and smoothbore. A brace of them would serve all your hunting needs. Single shot is much more fun, you tend to consider the shot more and stalk (learn to stalk) better.

 

[City Boy]

The 13" barrel shot great, but was extremely loud and a little too light, I think the 26" barrel is amost a pound heavier. Plus it was back heavy while you were carrying it, which was annoying as it was awkward to carry. It did fit in my backpack however.

Cool ... thanks for the feedback.

 

[galamb]

Back when the kids were young, the wife didn't work and I was poor I got my two hunting firearms from SIR for a total of $200.

Both were H&R/NEF single shots - a 20 gauge and a 30.06, both break action, exposed hammer guns.

The 20 was no problem for upland game (birds/bunnies) - you can easily get away with not needing a follow-up shot that quickly that you are disadvantaged. Used it for ducks as well. It was fine if you were jumping them in small ponds but quickly realized I "needed" a pump if I was going to hunt from blinds where you are calling them in.

I never felt disadvantaged with the rifle. Unless you take hail mary shots you have lots of time to reload if all you are doing is finishing off an animal.

 

[straightshooter]

In my youth, I hunted with a Cooey M84 in 16 gauge. I was mostly into migratory bird hunting at that point. When I first sat in a blind, all my friends had pumps and semis. They were kind enough not to laugh out loud, but the grin on their faces told a different story.

They weren't grinning by the end of a day/season. I out shot all of them.

I don't believe I was a better shot. IMO, I was more careful with my shots. And, they rarely hit anything with second or third shots.

New hunters should consider using single shots on purpose - even if repeaters are available. I believe doing so develops better habits that serve a hunter well throughout their lifetime.

 

[salarguy]

In my youth, I hunted with a Cooey M84 in 16 gauge. I was mostly into migratory bird hunting at that point. When I first sat in a blind, all my friends had pumps and semis. They were kind enough not to laugh out loud, but the grin on their faces told a different story.

They weren't grinning by the end of a day/season. I out shot all of them.

I don't believe I was a better shot. IMO, I was more careful with my shots. And, they rarely hit anything with second or third shots.

New hunters should consider using single shots on purpose - even if repeaters are available. I believe doing so develops better habits that serve a hunter well throughout their lifetime.

My dad allowed me to use his Stevens single 16 to develop my skills on ducks and partridge,Bonus was the 30.30 accessory barrel, which I got my first caribou with. I'm convinced you will develop better hunters with single shot firearms. When you have only one shot you make it count.( I always had two in my teeth) I used my Ruger #1 until recently and would be still, but my arthritic arms couldn't carry or raise it with any proficiency. Win 100 saves the day. Got my new firing pin in and she's ready to rock next year! straightshooter we are of the same opinion!