Single Shot Hunters

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ligonierbill

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Muzzleloaders aside (different game), does anyone here hunt with a single shot rifle in a "modern" caliber? I see some interesting rounds in 1885 reproductions, but mostly I'm thinking of the Ruger No. 1. I have the rifle (2 actually) but I have never taken them hunting. It would be interesting to hear some actual experiences from the forum.

There are videos of people hunting cape buffalo, including Craig Boddington. But I have also seen guides in the western US who will not allow single shots for their clients.
 
I own a couple of single shot rifles, Low Wall, High Wall, and TC Encore. I use “modern” and “older” cartridges in both. For the record, I’ve shot a lot of deer over the last sixty+ years of deer hunting and even with bolt guns I’ve very rarely ever used a second shot that I couldn’t have put in the gun just as fast with a single shot. I don’t consider a single shot a disadvantage. For sheer speed at dangerous game there is nothing that’s going to beat a double rifle.
 
I hunt with a Browning 1885 Highwall in .30-06, and an H&R single shot in .30-30, in addition to my bolt actions and semi-autos.

I’ve never felt myself at a disadvantage using a single shot vs. a repeater. One in the chamber, 4 spare rounds in the sling. I haven’t needed a follow up shot for the animals I’ve taken with my single shots, but, with a little practice, you can get pretty quick at reloading.
 
I don't hunt with a single but I've only needed one follow up shot on a deer and I had more than enough time to single load it if I had to.

As long as muzzleloaders are mentioned I have several relatives that have used them for years in limited rifle areas to get the ballistics they wanted outside of Pistol caliber cartridges. Since the laws changed they upgraded to bolt actions in 450 bushmaster.
 
I took a couple deer with a T/C carbine in 30-30. I used a 150 grain Nosler plastic tipped bullet and the performance was outstanding. I mean outstanding. Big does went right down. Reloading is really pretty quick, I hold the next round in between my left hand fingers.

Modern bullets make all the difference.
 
I've been hunting whitetail and wild hogs in Georgia for +30 years with single shot rifles: an H&R .30-30 Ackley Improved, a Wickliffe in .38-55 and an H&R in .357 Herrett (Long).

Never needed more than one shot, but ... I try to not take long or risky shots hunting. I consider the H&R a workhorse single shot rifle ... not very elegant but it sure works. The .30-30 AI was bought as a Handi Rifle in plain .30-30 with a 20 GA shotgun barrel, all can be transported broken down in a folding cordura carry pack.

The Wickliffe is my Buffalo Stakes competition rifle with a Baer (sp?) air-gauged barrel. 'Hunted with it once ... too heavy to tote through the woods. So it got one whitetail to it's credit then back to the range for weekend fun.
 
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i shot three deer last year. a buck with my ruger #3 in 45-70, two doe, one with a tc encore in 45-70 and the third with tc G2 in 375 JDJ. one shot each, no handycap at all.
 
Always wanted to hunt griz with a single shot .45-70. Poverty waylaid that plan.
You can load .45-70 to near .458 Win level for use in a Ruger #1.
Thought about a Kodiak double rifle in .30-06 when they were still marketed by Remington. Poverty did that one in too. That and they weren't on the market long.
 
Why Mr. O'Heir, I am shocked that a good citizen of the Commonwealth would consider the 45-70 Government (US government) over the Empire's own 450/400 Nitro Express, which can also be had in a Ruger #1.

My apologies for not mentioning the Handi Rifle and its like. A few years ago, my brother shot a big doe with one in 44 Magnum. Sure put a big hole clear through that deer. It was an accurate piece, too.
 
ligonierbill said:
Muzzleloaders aside (different game), does anyone here hunt with a single shot rifle in a "modern" caliber? I see some interesting rounds in 1885 reproductions, but mostly I'm thinking of the Ruger No. 1. I have the rifle (2 actually) but I have never taken them hunting. It would be interesting to hear some actual experiences from the forum.

There are videos of people hunting cape buffalo, including Craig Boddington. But I have also seen guides in the western US who will not allow single shots for their clients.
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I have taken many deer (lost count, so don't know exactly) with a Browning B78 High Wall in 6MM Remington. I also shot one six point with a Ruger #3 in .375 Winchester using a heavy cast lead bullet.

I used a Hornady 87 grain varmint bullet (no Cannelure) on those deer and performed excellently. I cannot evaluate the performance of the cast bullet in the .375 inasmuch as I did not want any meat damage, so I did a head shot and of course it dropped in its tracks.
 
single shot hunter

My T/C Contender in 7x30 Waters has been my go hog gun for many, many years.
Accurate, enough power for one shot kills.
Took a 270 pound hog with a single shot as it was running from right to left going away from me.

Also use a 357 Maximum in a T/C single shot pistol for many hunts with great success.

It takes lots of practice.
 
I've hunted with an 1884 Trapdoor Springfield but I'm curious as to why you consider muzzle loaders a different game?
 
This is an "all things equal" question. Everyone in camp is packing some sort of repeater in a popular big game caliber, and you show up with, say, a Ruger #1 in 308.

I like muzzleloaders, but even if you are well trained and loading a minie ball from a paper cartridge, it's slower. And you have to stand up. Most folks using muzzleloaders are driven by regulations (special season, restrictions) or the desire to relive another time. Maybe get into a trophy record book.
 
I hunt with a Ruger No. 1 in 45-70. Fantastic gun, just make your first shot count, as you always should, and have a spare cartridge within easy reach if you do need a fast follow up.
 
I've downed many game animals with my CVA muzzle-loader which is certainly a single shot. But doesn't seem like a handicap to me. Accuracy is amazing and those 50 caliber Power Belt bullets hit very hard yet recoil is moderate.

Previously I hunted within restricted zones with a 12 gauge slug gun. But vicious recoil discouraged me so that's why I chose the muzzle-loader.

Jack
 
Encore in .35 Whelen. MS is unusual in that our "primitive weapons" season allows you to use single-shot, external hammer, break open modern firearms of .35 and larger. Therefore, the caliber of choice for many MS hunters during that season is the .35 Whelen. Never needed a follow-up shot.
 
I took my first deer with a single shot h&r pardner youth in 243 my dad got me when I was a kid as I am left handed. One shot at 60 yards, directly in the shoulder. Bullet exited through the other leaving a devastating exit wound, took out the heart and both lungs. 120 lb doe (field dressed) went 20 feet, if that... now I hunt with an AR in .350 legend. Although I’ve been looking at Henry’s single shot rifles...


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I hunt with a single shot 45/70. Never any problems, quick reloads and I can tailor the load to the rifle without worrying about semi-auto malfunctions. CVA Hunter. Great rifle.
 
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