Single Shot on Safari?

P

pwd

New member
Would any of you fellas consider going to Africa (lion, elephant, buffalo, etc.) with a Ruger No. 1 Tropical single shot rifle? I'm presupposing you are with a professional hunter who is adequately armed. What do you think?
 
I'd say NO if dangerous game is on your ticket, many PH's will not allow you to hunt DG with a single shot (according to Craig Boddington's book "safari rifles')

How fast can you reload a #1?
 
jon sundra took a ruger #1 to africa for just that use. his was chambered in .375 in a 8mm remington magnum case. carried extra rounds on a wrist band.
 
I would take a Single on a DG hunt if it was in an interesting caliber.

IIRC some hunters used to use Singles in various large nitro calibers. And there are singles in 577 & such still floating around.

Not many would think you were crazy for using a double on dangerous game and it only gives you one more shot than a single.

Not to mention all the dangerous game that has been taken by single shot handguns. Or dangerous game taken with muzzle loaders. Heck a single shot breach loader like the Ruger No. 1 is a lot faster to load and shoot than a muzzle loading double.
 
I'm with Glamdring.

If it were chambered for an interesting and effective cartridge, I'd give it a whirl. I'd consider a Ruger No.1 Chambered for .470 NE, .500 NE or BPE, .45-120 Sharps, .50-140 Sharps, or a .577 NE or BPE would be fine. For a smaller caliber, I'd prefer a repeater.

I would not have a wrist band in my possession. I'd practice enough reloading with cartridges carried between the fingers of my support hand that I could load as fast as most people can work a bolt. If that method was good enough for the likes of Harry Selby, and Peter Capstick, it is good enough for me.

Doc Hudson

[Edited by Art Eatman on 04-25-2001 at 01:37 PM]
 
Interesting subject. In his book, AFRICAN RIFLES AND CARTRIDGES, the author, John Taylor remarked that every time he was hunting lions, he was armed with a "single-loader".
The late Jack Lott, a one time African professional hunter and safari company owner, felt that a Ruger #1 Tropical in .458 mag. was a fine "stopping rifle." (his words.)
Whether one likes Jon Sundra or not, he did hunt Cape Buffalo successfully with a Ruger #1 chamber to a potent .375 wildcat round.
There is an article that was written by Al Miller on speedloading single shot rifles. Following his various methods, a "one-shooter" can be loaded quite rapidly. He stated that one could get "aimed" shots off almost as fast as an experience person using a bolt action. His emphasis was on the word "aimed". With practice, I have found out that single shots can be fast enough, but you do have to do the practice.
How much dangerous game was killed by British hunters useing Farquharson's and similar rifles because they did not have the price of a British double? They got as close as they could so as not to miss. Something some of our writers in some of the gun rags have apparently forgotten how to do with their .300 R.U.M.'s and Lazzeroni's.
Would I hunt dangerous game with a single shot? Probably not, because I don't have the financial wherewithal to afford the trip. If I did? You bet. JMHO.
Paul B.
 
Not me! Since the first time I saw an African buffalo in the wild with that "I'd love to kill you" look on its face I want a good quality bolt action rifle chambered for .416 Rigby or .375 Magnum if I am going hunting over there.
 
I managed to fondle the perfect dangerous game single-shot this morning.

It was a break open 8 bore rifle built by Thomas Bland & Sons.

Wait until all the male lions of a pride are properly lined up and take 'em out with one raking side shot through the hearts and lungs.

Of course if they were no all instant kills, things could quickly become far too interesting for comfort. :)

Doc Hudson
 
Glamdring,

I can not answer that question. The gun was disassembled in a case, so I did not lift it. It was massive.

But the 8 bore double that I handled dwarfed it. It felt to weight around twenty pounds. Like I said, it was massive. The double was priced at around $23,000.00, I don't remember the maker, but I can check if you are interested. The single barrel did not have a price tag.

Thee were also several more modestly priced doubles (under
$10,000) in various .450 chamberings, a .470 NE, and a .577 single barrel (I think).

Doc Hudson
 
Doc: I would be interested in the 470 & the 577. Not that they are in the budget right now. But I plan to get a 470 double some day. And would like a 577 single or double also.

The more I think about it the more sense to me a $20k heavy makes than a $2.6k Steyr Scout [which I did buy].
 
I own a #1 in 375H&H, and someday I would like to go back to Africa and shoot a lion and buffalo with it. This rifle handles like a dream, and mine has a Williams peep sight on it that makes it quite accurate. About the only thing I would not do, is follow up a wounded buffalo or lion on my own without backup. You can probably shoot 10 shots quicker with a single shot Ruger than with a 458 with 3 shot magazine! The PH course in Zimbabwe requires you to pass a shooting course, shooting a certain number of rounds in a limited amount of time, with penalties for missed shots. The best score ever was shot with a 375H&H #1.
 
Hey Glamdring,

I gonna be a BAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDD Boy.

Here are links to photos of the 8 Bore single and double rifles I mentioned as well as a few others selected to whet your appetite. I copied and pasted the descriptions, so any typos come from Thad Scott's Fine Guns.

BE WARNED!!! Have a handkerchief at hand or do not lean over the key board when you access the links. EXTREME DANGER OF EXCESSIVE SALIVATION!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy,
Doc Hudson

Thomas Bland 8 bore top lever hammer single shot, oak & leather case, accessories, mint bore and 98% of original finish, ultra rare big bore....$19,950
http://www.thadscott.com/nntb.jpg


Thomas Bland 450 #2 Nitro Farquharson, mint bore, border engraved, 95% finish, nice wood....$10,950
http://www.thadscott.com/11012.jpg

Westley Richards 600 Nitro Farquharson, gold inlays by Hunt, leather case with accessories, fine bore. This is the first 600 ever made by Westleys and is the first of 6 singles built, near new....$24,950 http://www.thadscott.com/perwr.jpg

Tikka 9.3X74R O/U double rifle, model 512 SD, as new with very nice wood....$1250
http://www.thadscott.com/11434.jpg

R.B. Rodda & Co. 500 3" Double rifle, Damascus brls with 95% finish, fully engraved with complete gold wash, cased with all accessories, fine bores, made for an Indian prince....$8995

http://www.thadscott.com/a1921.jpg

Manton 470 top lever hammer nitro SXS, good bores, plain action, good hunting gun....$8750
http://www.thadscott.com/11036.jpg

Cogswell & Harrison 8 bore double rifle, massive 17 1/2 pound Damascus barreled gun, best hammerless sidelock, scroll engraved, stalking safetys, refinished long ago, a very rare beautiful big bore....$22,500
http://www.thadscott.com/a1935.jpg

C.G. Bonehill 577 SXS BP double rifle, 24" Damascus brls, great wood, hammerless action, near mint....$9750
http://www.thadscott.com/a1949.jpg

Thomas Bland 577-2 3/4" Nitro Farquharson, presented to Victoria Cross winner, near new condition....$17,500
http://www.thadscott.com/10972.jpg

Rigby 22 Hipower owned by WDM Bell, 98 Mauser Commercial Action, all original, with factory letter, very rare opportunity to own a rifle used by the worlds greatest elephant hunter....$27,500
http://www.thadscott.com/4958.jpg

And as backup:
Lancaster 4 brl 476, 6" brls, good solid Howdah, even grey patina....$3750
http://www.thadscott.com/a1729.jpg


[Edited by Doc Hudson on 04-27-2001 at 10:17 AM]
 
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