most accurate single shot?

Ya I can get a bit vocal sometimes too haha. The first 4 shots measured .230", shot 5 opened it up to .96"
Still MOA, even with it's occasional 5th shot flier.
 
Not a troll question guys ..... I've never owned a single shot centerfire. (do have a single shot .22 for my young son and it's a cool little gun)

Other than the idea of reliability based on simplicity, what exactly is the appeal of single shot rifles ?

Even though they have less moving parts per say (which implies reliability), I'm not seeing how they are any more accurate than a good bolt action, often seems less so based on what I'm seeing here.

They don't appear to be a more cost effective way to go vs some decent bolt actions.


I'm willing to be talked into one in other words..
 
You are right, they cost more sometimes and 1/2" is a huge challenge. They look, fit, and feel better. They are styles of our forefathers. I like them because of history and some carry wonderfully ( not my Sharps ).
 
You are right, they cost more sometimes and 1/2" is a huge challenge. They look, fit, and feel better. They are styles of our forefathers. I like them because of history and some carry wonderfully ( not my Sharps ).

Fair answers.

I'm interested in effective tools and not so much in owing the history. Each to their own on that point.

I can accept lack of accuracy on say an SKS (because of it's inherent design) but not on a single shot. With a good load/shooter logically they should be amongst the most accurate rifles !??

Indeed, fit is important. However, if I find a rifle design I really like yet it doesn't quite fit right, I change the way it fits for me.

Carry tends to be a whole other thing... it either balances right and feels comfortable in hand or it doesn't.... at least in my experience.

So far the only thing convincing me on the single shot idea would be the "survivalist rifle" role. The idea of single shot being the most reliable. Given that role it would HAVE TO be in a vey common caliber (probably .308), not one of the more "interesting" calibers.

Like I said, I'm open to the whole idea, just not sold on it yet.
 
Not a troll question guys ..... I've never owned a single shot centerfire. (do have a single shot .22 for my young son and it's a cool little gun)

Other than the idea of reliability based on simplicity, what exactly is the appeal of single shot rifles ?

Even though they have less moving parts per say (which implies reliability), I'm not seeing how they are any more accurate than a good bolt action, often seems less so based on what I'm seeing here.

They don't appear to be a more cost effective way to go vs some decent bolt actions.


I'm willing to be talked into one in other words..

1 easier to pack. Typical bolt actions with the same barrel length and profile are 8-10oz heavier
2 shorter length by 6" since there is no bolt assembly
3 better balance for off hand shooting
4 arguably more 'sporting' than a bolt action
5 fit/finish the #1 is assembled with loving hands.
6 in a sea of bolt actions and lever actions, there is an elegance to a single shot that cannot be matched
7 it's like owning a Colt Diemaco. Once you have one, you will know why
8 there is a certain 'finesse' that single shot rifles have. For lack of a better term
9 one shot. No excuses. And you would be suprised how fast you can load another round.
10. Everyone needs to own 1 single shot Ruger or Merkel, or???
11 Watch Lightsaber video again. Especially effective when holding your Ruger #1
 
Fair answers.

I'm interested in effective tools and not so much in owing the history. Each to their own on that point.

I can accept lack of accuracy on say an SKS (because of it's inherent design) but not on a single shot. With a good load/shooter logically they should be amongst the most accurate rifles !??

Indeed, fit is important. However, if I find a rifle design I really like yet it doesn't quite fit right, I change the way it fits for me.

Carry tends to be a whole other thing... it either balances right and feels comfortable in hand or it doesn't.... at least in my experience.

So far the only thing convincing me on the single shot idea would be the "survivalist rifle" role. The idea of single shot being the most reliable. Given that role it would HAVE TO be in a vey common caliber (probably .308), not one of the more "interesting" calibers.

Like I said, I'm open to the whole idea, just not sold on it yet.

My fault. I perhaps overstated inaccuracy. Truth be told, I am VERY fussy when it comes to my guns and my hand loads. When a firearm does not meet with my expectations out of the box, I feel a little let down. Ruger#1's respond well to simple tuning, and once you do this, the gun will keep pace with a bolt action in terms of accuracy. Small investment in time that enhances the #1 ownership experience.
In truth, it is exactly that experience that enhances the mystique of these guns.

If any gun has a soul, the #1 has plenty.
 
1 easier to pack. Typical bolt actions with the same barrel length and profile are 8-10oz heavier
2 shorter length by 6" since there is no bolt assembly
3 better balance for off hand shooting
4 arguably more 'sporting' than a bolt action
5 fit/finish the #1 is assembled with loving hands.
6 in a sea of bolt actions and lever actions, there is an elegance to a single shot that cannot be matched
7 it's like owning a Colt Diemaco. Once you have one, you will know why
8 there is a certain 'finesse' that single shot rifles have. For lack of a better term
9 one shot. No excuses. And you would be suprised how fast you can load another round.
10. Everyone needs to own 1 single shot Ruger or Merkel, or???
11 Watch Lightsaber video again. Especially effective when holding your Ruger #1

Ok, I can see all these points.

If I ever pick one up it will be a .308, makes the most sense to me. I'll pay a bit more attention to the single shot threads to pick up more tips on what to look for.
Thanks for the thoughts GT.
 
The persistent rumor that No.1's are inherently and commonly inaccurate has NOT been my experience in the least. Over 50 No.1's and thousands of rounds fired, and I have found them to be as accurate as the average out of the box M70, M77 or M700 bolt action rifle. Those that were not immediately satisfactory (about the same percentage as any of my hundreds of bolt action rifles), were quickly cured with the right load or relatively simple tweaks to the forend. My flat out statement is that; "In my experience, Ruger No.1 rifles ARE accurate rifles."
 
You will never figure it out by listening to comments posted here. Get out with someone who has a nice #1 (redundant as they are all nice) and feel it, touch it, fondle it, play with it. You will fall in love like the rest of us.

My favorite and the one that gave me 5 shot cloverleafs was in 30.06 with an Alexander-Henry forestock. Comes with iron sites and scope mounts.
 
I've had and have #1's, 1885's, only difference in the guns to me, is weight. The Highwall is a bit heavier than the #1, the Low wall is lighter. Haven't had an accuracy issue with either one. The 450-400 in the #1 is not real pleasant to shoot, except with cast bullets, the 300H&H in the 1885 Highwall is a sweety. Want a really nice singleshot in a falling block?, at a still not bad price, CPA Stevens 44-1/2, just doesn't come in some of the more modern cartridges, but I expect, if you want it in one, he can likely do it. I have a Merkel K1 as well, nice gun, light, very nice to carry, all I have shot thru it, is a box of factory stuff, which didn't particularly turn my crank, it'll kill what ever I want , but, one day I'll get around to loading something for it. After buying the SXS, everything else got sidelined, parked in the safe.
 
Here is a ten shot group at 100m from a Browning 1885 that I used to own. Other than the flyer it was sub-moa.

It was chambered in .270 Win. I don't remember the exact load, but it was probably a 140gr Berger bullet and H-4831SC powder.

270Winchester.jpg


Chris.
 
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