Do modern centerfire single-shot rifles have a place?

[PALADIN85020]

I have numerous antique single-shot rifles, but only one modern rifle that's a single-shot - this Ruger No. 1 in .30-06 chambering.



I bought it mostly as an attractive curiosity. It's a handsome rifle - accurate, handy and slick to operate. However, I don't shoot it much. The problem is I cannot see a use for it that a repeating rifle could not handle better.

For those that have modern centerfire single-shot rifles, what do you use them for? I can see target shooting as one alternative, and perhaps some types of hunting where non-dangerous animals are involved - but?

Let me know your thoughts! And let me know what you think of my choice of a representative rifle!

John

 

[Golddollar]

I have numerous antique single-shot rifles, but only one modern rifle that's a single-shot - this Ruger No. 1 in .30-06 chambering.



I bought it mostly as an attractive curiosity. It's a handsome rifle - accurate, handy and slick to operate. However, I don't shoot it much. The problem is I cannot see a use for it that a repeating rifle could not handle better.

For those that have modern centerfire single-shot rifles, what do you use them for? I can see target shooting as one alternative, and perhaps some types of hunting where non-dangerous animals are involved - but?

Let me know your thoughts! And let me know what you think of my choice of a representative rifle!

John

It's a beautiful rifle of quality workmanship.

As to its use, it is more modern technologically than my T/C Renegade FLINTLOCK rifle that I used to hunt deer with. Enjoy it for what it is.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

All guns have a place...........Whether you like em or not......Depends on whether they live at your place.

 

[Ethang]

A T/C Encore is my favorite hunting rifle. It does everything I need it to do. Years ago I sold a 30/06 #1 and wish to heck I had kept it.

 

[DWalt]

I have a Savage 112-V in .223, which is a pure bolt action single shot. For over 20 years I really enjoyed target shooting with it and doing a little varmint hunting. I have not fired it in over a year, and probably won't use it much in the future, but I am having a hard time deciding if I should sell it or not. I know I should but I do not want to.

 

[67tempest]

I have a TCR 83 in .223, one on the nicest rifles I own. It was a gift from a neighbor who was returning to Japan and couldn't take it with him. It's one I'd never sell, I'll pass it down to the grand kid's.

 

[kb1903]

single shot rifles

One of my favorites is a Browning 1895 BPCR in 40-65 Win. Also a CPA Schutzen in 32-40 and a Martini International Mk III in 22 rf. CPA was a 30th annivarsary present from my wife, 18 years ago. Still have her and the rifle. Won't part with any one of them, wife included. All are great fun. I'm a lucky man.

 

[Valmet]

Yes- I have a hunting buddy who uses a TC Contender rifle regularly and with great effect. The No 1s are classic rifles and I like that they’re still being made well into the 21st century. IMO the old single-shots really force the hunter/shooter to put a premium on accuracy.

 

[DWalt]

Coming right down to hunting and target shooting with a rifle, how often is using anything more than a single shot really essential? That may sound anti-gun but it's not.

 

[GypsmJim]

A T/C Encore is my favorite hunting rifle. It does everything I need it to do. Years ago I sold a 30/06 #1 and wish to heck I had kept it.

When handguns for deer were first allowed, I switched from a shotgun to a Blackhawk .45 Colt. With Ruger-only loads it was quite lethal.

In later years I bought an Encore in .308 Winchester and the first time out I harvested the biggest deer of my life.

After deer hunting for over 55 years I have never needed more than 1 shot to drop a deer. Of course, part of that I consider to be due to being a responsible hunter.

The guys that use a semi-auto shotgun and blast away at a running deer until their magazine is empty is the reason I bought property and stopped going to state land.

 

[H Richard]

There's a place for most any single shot. I did a lot of Prairie Dog hunting over the years, and all of my bolt actions had Single Shot adapters in the actions. When taking slow deliberate shots at long ranges you don't need fast follow up shots, and it removes the possibility of bullet nose deformation while feeding from a magazine.

 

[CH4]

Yes, absolutely!

Classy rifles that are great for hunting, target shooting, etc. My favorites are Ruger #1 A, S and H models. I still have em in 30-30, 45-70, 300 H&H, 35 Whelen, 450-400, 9.3x74R, 375 H&H.

 

[mtgianni]

When you only have one shot you make sure it counts. I have 4 Encore bbls and 3 frames to go with 3 Contender rifle barrels.

 

[Bald1]

Yes they have a place. I’d love to have ( and someday will) a Ruger#1 with a mannlicher stock in 308. Of course then I’d have to worry about scratching it in the deer woods. Someone else mentioned the T/C Encore. I have one in handgun format with 243 barrel. Like a fine single shot rifle I just appreciate its looks. Not to mention great accuracy. Even the inexpensive single shots have a place with people on a budget and new hunters that aren’t to sure they want to spend $1000 on a rifle and optic.

 

[BB57]

I have a few different .22 Hornets, but my Browning 1885 is the most fun to shoot. There’s a certain elegance to a well made single shot.

 

[Jebus35745]

Love the single shot rifles. Have 2 Martini’s in .22. One is a bench gun with a Lyman Super Target Spot and the other is a 12/15 with peep sights for fun offhand shooting. Have a T/C Contender in .357 Max but don’t hunt deer anymore, just a fun shooter at 100 yds. Also a Ruger NO1 in .223 with a heavy Douglas bbl used mainly for fun at 100 yds.

I think it would be great to hunt big with a single shot like yours or small game with an .22 single shot. Unless you use a semi auto, a second shot sometimes doesn’t happen. It’s a good feeling for me to be in the woods with a single shot rifle.

I also like SxS shotguns, no semi auto or pump. Kinda old fashioned I guess, Larry

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

I have but one single shot rifle, a Ruger No. 1 .35 Whelen. Maybe my favorite deer rifle. A trifle heavy but that is the only negative and it's a small one. Love the elegant design, plus it's an absolute hammer on bucks. I've never felt handicapped by having a single round available, wait for the right shot and make it count.

 

[Miracle Man]

Absolutely !!

I remember reading an article years ago, 80's? Talking about what a large % of successfully harvested deer are taken with the first and only shot.

 

[Lonegle57]

Though I usually take a single shot short gun to the woods, a Contender or Encore, my other passion has been single shot rifles. There is something about nice figured wood and a blue Ruger no1. The Brownings and Winchesters are also good looking to me. Have a best friend that customized a couple of number !'s for me. New barrel, new trigger and case colored receiver, both are nail drivers. Am fortunate enough to have a Colt Sharps in my collection, still unfired in 25-06. As for a second shot, can usually reload about as quickly as a bolt gun though normally dont need one. Your 06 is a work of art to me.

 

[Walter Rego]

I used to own a No.1S Medium Sporter in .338 Win. Mag. I had planned to hunt elk in heavy timber with it but the hunt never materialized unfortunately. I had one of those wrist band ammo carriers that held a few spare cartridges and could reload it pretty quickly. Or with the double rifle hunter technique of holding two cartridges between the fingers of the off hand.

I used to practice shooting empty 1 gallon paint cans set out at various distances from about 50 to 100 yards and had no problem drilling them shooting offhand.