Who hunts with single shots?

kombi1976

kombi1976

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There are a whole range of new single shot rifles out there that span from the budget end (H&R/NEF, Rossi, Spartan/Baikal), to mid range rifles (Ruger No1s, Thompson/Center) to the ultra expensive models (Martini & Hagn, Dakota, Merkel,etc.).
There are also the older types and their replicas, like Martinis, Sharps, Remington rolling blocks, Savage 219s, Browning 1885s and some of the more unusual European models from the turn of the century.
And who can forget the vast numbers of little .22lr single shot bolt action rifles made.
As such, unless you have a sick fascination with black rifles, there is pretty much something for everyone.
So do you hunt with one?
If so, what is it and what sort of game do you use it for?
 
A few years ago I had a Ruger No1-H tropical in 416 Rem, I hunted for two years with it for moose. Shot one bull with it and a mule deer that I happened across while hunting moose. It was a nice rifle, my next No1 will be a Light sporter in 7x57...someday!
 
I had been for years, Ruger No. 1 Light Sporter in '06.
Never let me down, it had a beautiful piece of walnut and someone offered me more money than I could turn down and sold it.

I have missed that little rifle, so short and sweet for carrying.
 
I do most of my hunting with singleshots and also collect them. Theyu have always worked for me. (not sure I would fit the gentlemen rule)
John
 
Guys who hunt with Rem 742,7400,and 750s are hunting with single shots at some point and time,but not by choice.

I hunted deer with a Ruger #1 quite a bit when I had one.It turned me into a way better hunter knowing that I only had one shot to do the job with..
 
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I either use a bolt-action (which acts as a single shot cuz I ALWAYS forget to cycle it, or my Ruger No.1, Remington rolling block or Sharps.
 
This year will be mostly single shot for me . or very close to it . I will be doing the archery season with my Excalibur Exomax , Muzzle loader with my T/C Hawkins and in rifle season I will be taking out my old Mosin Nagant. The Mosin is a repeater by definition but me being a southpaw makes it a single shot with a convienant place to store spare shells:) not really but a second shot in time to be of use hunting whitetail is not very likely.
 
You know, I was going to answer that with a resounding yes. But than I thought back to everytime I carried a single shot for anything in the field. And I have done that several times. I never felt at a disadvantage using one. I don't profess to me an expert marksman, but I felt if I missed, the animal should have gotten away anyways. I've carried muzzleloaders, an NEF in .25-06 and a single shot 16 gauge Winchester during hunting seasons. And single shot Ithaca's and Cooey's during the Spring. Sad thing is, not once did I ever kill anything with one while I conciously carried it. With my smokepole, the deer were out of range, but I saw lots of them. With my .25-06, I never saw an animal with that rifle. My 16 gauge hardly got used, but when it did, I was too slow. And with the .22's, I missed a Jack with the Cooey, and was never able to shoot that Ithaca well enough to nail a gopher with it. But, in all those times, I had great fun afield, and can remember every single time I did it. Perhaps that's one of the magical attributes to the single shot; They burn into your mind in such a way a run of the mill repeater cannot. Hmmm....
 
I use'em and love'em. I'll be going to Quebec this fall for caribou and plan on using an H&R Buffalo Classic in .45-70 as my primary gun.

...but I must admit that I'm taking along a stainless Ruger 77 just in case.

John
 
kombi1976 said:
There are a whole range of new single shot rifles out there that span from the budget end (H&R/NEF, Rossi, Spartan/Baikal), to mid range rifles (Ruger No1s, Thompson/Center) to the ultra expensive models (Martini & Hagn, Dakota, Merkel,etc.).
There are also the older types and their replicas, like Martinis, Sharps, Remington rolling blocks, Savage 219s, Browning 1885s and some of the more unusual European models from the turn of the century.
And who can forget the vast numbers of little .22lr single shot bolt action rifles made.
As such, unless you have a sick fascination with black rifles, there is pretty much something for everyone.
So do you hunt with one?
If so, what is it and what sort of game do you use it for?
Click to expand...

I've got a Lyman Great Plains Hunter flintlock in .50 that I use during muzzleloading season. Lots of fun. I love the smell of black powder smoke in the morning...
 
I have a very nice Ruger no.1 medium sporter in 45-70 topped with a VX-III 1.5-5x. Havn't shot anything with it yet but ill be taking her out for elk and deer this year for sure. Ive done a good bit of deer hunting with my savage 240C in 30 WCF.
 
I love using my 1885 in 45-70 as a walking around rifle. Light, slim and easy to maneuver not to mention it packs plenty of punch.

I have a #1H in 458 Winchester that I might break out for moose some time, but I think I'll stick to bolt rifles for dangerous game.
 
Most of my hunting is with single shots, either a C. Sharps Highwall 45/70or a 1874 Sharps in 50/90 or a Ruger #1 in 45/100 Sharps. I find these calibers much more effective on big game then the smaller calibers and except for a couple of big lever guns, all the smaller cals. are used for varmints and target.
 
At present I own 2 single shots although I'm endeavouring to pick up some more.
I have a 1910 Remington Model 6 "tilting block" in .22lr that shoots really well for a "boys rifle" with iron sights and I should really just get up the courage to take it out and whack a rabbit or 2.
Problem is my other single shot is a sporterised BSA Martini Cadet in 25-20 and it's REALLY accurate.
It has an old steel tube Weaver K-6 and will hit anything you point it at.
On top of that I have another Cadet action which will be fitted with an octagonal 32-20 from a Belgian rook rifle, as well as a large frame Martini Enfield which will probably be adapted to a breakdown/switch-bbl rifle.
A friend is also sourcing an original Martini Enfield 303 military rifle for me.
So I'm a tad hooked.
Another friend has a Sportco Martini 22 Hornet built on a cadet action which I was testing this arvo and may also eventually find a home here too.
It'll be taken out in the field next time to see its effectiveness on rabbits and hares.
A big round like 45-90 would be great but for he small game that makes up the bulk of my hunting it's a little unnecessary.
Nonetheless the large frame action will probably see something similar as one day I'd like to use it for the Asiatic buffalo that are wild in Northern Australia.
 
I use a NEF .243 with a bull barrel,topped off with a Bushnell Elite firefly as my deer rifle.Grand-daddy always taught me to make the first shot count and I guess old lessons die hard.But I carry extra shells in a stock holder just for a quick follow up even though I have never needed to yet
 
I guess having shot 37 WT's with a singleshot qualifies me;)
I also have an Nef that I carry for calling quite often and when chuck hunting I seldom ever load more than one cartridge at a time and very seldom even close the bolt till I prepare to shoot.
 
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