I confess to a love of fine single shots. So, a few questions:

Would you hunt African GD with one?

Would you hunt African plains game with one?

If you have done so, did you find it limiting?

I not only would, I'm going to. PG with a drilling this coming Sept, and when I finish building a Ruger No.1 450#2 NE, we will hunt buffalo together.

Jeff

Dangerous game? NO!

Plains game? Yes!
465H&H

No, I would not, for either. I have never understood the facination with single shot rifles. The ideal is a single shot kill and I have had plenty, but I have been on too many hunts where fast follow-up shots are necessry not only to make a certain kill, but to kill humainly. Especially with dangerous game such as cape buffalo. I am not one to rely on the shooting expetise of my PH.

Jeff and Jeff, this has been discussed extensively before. You can use the search feature. PG, I don't think anyone would object if you shot within your abilities. After all, if you lose the animal you still have to pay the trophy fee! Some, myself included, do believe that, over and above the trophy fee, there is a moral obligation involved. So, perhaps the question you should answer is "Why?: Is this just a stunt?
With DG you have another situation. They are called DG for a reason. You might think that it is the job of the PH to finish off any animal you have wounded. Many on this site would disagree. They want to be responsible for the whole thing. In addition, situations have arisen where things have gone to hell in a handbasket and both he hunter and the PH are shooting to stop a fatal charge. In your case, it will be just the PH shooting! The quick follow up shot is the main reason why DG hunters for a hundred years now have been using double rifles.
Peter.

I think this pictures speaks better than i can tell you in english!







If you can handle your singelshot, go for it. On DG, i`m note sure.

What 465 H&H said. I once saw a TV show where TC "shill" Larry Weishun(sp?) hunted buffalo with one in 416 RIGBY. He shot it at close range,my guess under 20 yards.

It took him almost nine seconds (8.5 to be exact I timed him) to effect a reload. Fortunately the buff turned away at the shot. Had he charged, no way he could have put another slug into him.

Can it be done? sure. Is it prudent? of course, as long as you and your PH brief a plan and work within the limits. Hell, Jim Shockey kills EVERYTHING with one of those contraptions and in black powder too! jorge

I would, & I have hunted dangerous game (but I've not tried it with a single shot). But, I WOULD rely on the PH to back me up. Now, if I were hunting alone, I'd prefer something a little quicker; but I believe with practice, one could come very close to reloading as fast as someone using a bolt gun. Go for it ......

Jeff

If the one shooter turns your crank please go for it. I would make sure that the PH was clear that if there was any question about your first shot on DG that he would immediately follow up. That's just prudent policy for the animal's sake.

A single shot might not be my first choice but if it enhances your enjoyment use one.

Mark

The answer should be obvious to anyone who feels they have to learn how to load that second shot real fast in order to be prepared.

IMHO, Anyone as fast cycling a bolt as they are loading a single, can learn to work that bolt a lot faster.

All of my South African plains game was taken with a single shot firearm. I've also shot quite a few whitetail deer with a single shot rifle and have never found one shot limiting.

I consider hunting dangerous game with a bow, muzzle loader and a single shot firearm a stunt unless said intrepid hunter and his PH is willing to follow-up wounded game with the same type of weapon.

quote:

Originally posted by JeffreyPhD:
I confess to a love of fine single shots. So, a few questions:

Would you hunt African GD with one?

Would you hunt African plains game with one?

If you have done so, did you find it limiting?

Yep, I would, for both without any hestitation.

I recieved a Ruger #1 in 450/400 NE for Christmas this year, since I have been thinking of nothing but getting profficient enough with it to use in on a Buff. I see nothing wrong with it, so long as you know your limits and operate within them, but that would apply to a double rifle, bolt action, bow and arrow, or a rock for that matter.

I figured this thread would wind up firmly divided.

I would venture to say that the majority of those who think hunting with a SS is stupid, "immoral", blah blah blah; do so for one reason.. ignorance. Most have probably never hunted with a SS in there life, or if they did, just didn't do very well with one. Go to a public range and really observe how most folks handle repeaters(of any action type). In general, it's not all that impressive, and a shooter who really knows how to handle a SS could smoke them with ease.

Don't knock it till you try it!

JeffreyPhD – If you can drop an Elk with your single shot, bring it. If you can’t drop an Elk with one shot from your rifle, bring another rifle.

Grumulkin – how hard was it bringing the TC to South Africa? I was filling out my paperwork on the plane ride there and saw a lot of resections on handguns.

Yes, I would hunt both PG and DG with one. I like what some of the guys are doing (Mac for example) when they have a companion scoped single shot to go with their double rifle in the same caliber...groovy.

Lots of interesting replies. Didn't realize it had been discussed extensively before; should have done a search but I do appreciate the input. My only prior safari was to Zambia in 1999. My friend, Steve (bpsteve here) took a Ruger No. 1 in 375. I had a Win M70 in 375. He killed a whopper buff with the No. 1. We're going to Namibia in 09, and I'm planning on taking a bolt gun in 300 WSM. Buffalo isn't on the agenda, so I'm not taking a heavier rifle. But for PG, I'd enjoy hunting there with a single shot. Not sure I'd hunt DG though, although the idea is appealing to me.

As I have said this several times before- old AH members please bear with me. Every few years we see an apprentice PH turn up on our proficiency exam with a ruger No 1 in 375. Every candidate that has used that rifle has passed the shooting test - including the speed shooting (see African Reference section on the forum). Many people with bolt actions fail...

Every candidate that has used it has bought a better rifle as soon as he was able to afford one

For a client- No problem hunting dangerous game. All the guys I have guided against elephant, buff and lion with muzzel loaders only had a single shot and a Ruger No1 sure as heck beats a front loader!

Just practice with it, learn to love it and minimize it's weaknesses. I love the classic single shots and have a lovely Gibbs Farqueson - the perfect plains rifle and several Martini Henries I have also used. Had a Webly 1904 SS in .450 NE that was my back up rifle for a few years until I could afford something more functional (but sadly not as aesthetically pleasing or as fun to use!)

Yes, I would hunt both plains and DG with a single shot, provided it was chambered for an appropriate cartridge and I was totally familiar with it. Remember that many of the old world African hunters, whose exploits we have all read about and for which we can be thankful for enriching our interest in hunting in Africa, used single shot rifles.

I have a Ruger No2 (No3 action with No1 woodwork and modified lever) in .450/400 that I am planning on hunting both plainsgame and dangerous game with and, while this rifle carries a scope in QD mounts, I would like to do the entire hunt with open sights, just like our forefathers did. Yes, it will require close stalking but lots of handgun and bowhunters do the same, so why not a rifle hunter with a single shot rifle?

I do all my own DG hunting with my Ruger #1 in 500NE, and have thoroughly enjoyed it.
I have had several clients hunt with single shots as well.

500

quote:

Grumulkin – how hard was it bringing the TC to South Africa? I was filling out my paperwork on the plane ride there and saw a lot of resections on handguns.

It wasn't hard at all in 2005; you just have to do the paperwork and make sure the handgun isn't a semiautomatic and that it won't be construed as a "self defense" weapon. I think it would be hard for even the customs bureaucrats to call a scoped single shot handgun anything but a hunting weapon.

I plan to take an Encore handgun on my 2008 trip. From what my travel agent has told me, not much has changed in South Africa as far as getting handguns in is concerned.

I wouldn't hunt Africa with anything BUT a single shot.

I hunted Namibia with a single shot in May of this year and here are the results. The rifle is a T/C Encore in 300 WinMag.

quote:

Originally posted by JeffreyPhD:
I confess to a love of fine single shots. So, a few questions:

Would you hunt African GD with one?

Would you hunt African plains game with one?

If you have done so, did you find it limiting?

As is common the answers you got are from ABSOLUTELY NO! to CERTAINLY I WOULD! The sensability of this question is probably somewhere in the middle of the answers you got! I can only answer for myself, and that answer is, YES I not only would,I have hunted Dangerous game with single shots on many occasions, both here in North America, and in Africa as well.

I own, several Ruger No1s, and have owned many more in chamberings from 222 Rem to 500/450NE In most cases these SS No1s were companion to a double rifle chambered the same way. Loads worked up for the double to regulate, then adjusting the scope, and irons on the No1 to shoot the double rifle ammo. This worked perfectly, and gave me a scoped rifle useing the same ammo as my double rifle. The tracker or other member of the hunting party carried the No1 till I needed it, and I carried the ammo, and my double. Many times the first shot was taken with the No1, and no other shot was needed. I must say I can re-load a No1 about as fast as I can work the bolt on a bolt rifle. All it takes is practice!

If the single shot floats your boat, set sail, but discuss this with your PH, not to get his permission, because you don't need that. Discuss it with him as to when he is to follow up, and at sight in show him how quickly you can re-load, and get back on target, to ease his mind! The main thing is to have a ss rifle with a proper chambering, and learn not only to hit what you want, but where to hit on the game you want to hunt, and make that first shot count!

I would not go to Africa with only one rifle, no matter the type, and now RSA has a law that will not let you bring in two rifles of the same caliber, and IMO that is a non-sense mistake on their part. It is simply a stupid law, and requires a person to bring two types of ammo, when he could do all his hunting with one type ammo, and automaticlly know the trejectory of either rifle he has in his hands at any time!

I say go for it, but do your part, and get very proficient with your rifle, both shooting, and reloading!
..................GOOD LUCK, and enjoy your safari!

I plan on using one on hippo. See no reason not to. Have taken alot of smaller game with original Sharps, Hi-Walls, Stevens 44 1/2, Rem RB, and a German stalking rifle in 8.14 x 46R. including 5 deer, 3 coyotes, a fox, and a plethora of squirrels and rabbits. Plan to use on on elk. With practice you can master a fast reload under pressure.

Dutch

Just sittin' in the gutter sluggin" rats, Ma.

I would not even own one for hunting in the USA!

quote:

Originally posted by MacD37:

As is common the answers you got are from ABSOLUTELY NO! to CERTAINLY I WOULD!

EDIT

..................GOOD LUCK, and enjoy your safari!

Right you are, and thanks! I think of SS rifles as setting between "primitive" weapons such as muzzle loaders, bow/arrow, and perhaps handguns (some are so high tech it's hard to think of them as primitive) and modern, scope sighted bolt guns. Part of the appeal is the history of the use of such rifles, particularly if it is chambered in a cartridge that is authentic to the era when they were a common weapon. No doubt that's part of the appeal for those that use more primitive weapons as well. I managed to snag a Ruger No. 1 in 450/400, and have been enjoying it.

I enjoy hunting with my single shot rifle.

But not for dangerous game. I have more sense than that.

Sure, why not?? The "definately NO" answers here are probably from the double rifle clique who believe it is heresy to use anything but a double on anything larger than a ground squirrel. Give me a break!!! If Larry Weishun took 9 seconds to reload his Encore, he needs to practice.

I've never felt handicapped useing a singleshot, love the slim feel and looks of one too. Yes I've used one in africa as well as the staes and Australia. I've never had doubts about where the first shots going to feel I need bolt guns with extended mags ect.

I've got a custom Ruger #1 in 7mmRemMag that I've hunted most game (except bears) with in North America. My hunting partners know I'm getting really serious when I pull this out of its case. It will soon be a .400/.395 Nitro Express as discussed on the Big Bore forum. I'd like to take it to Africa in 2009 and use it. The rifle and I fit, I can reload fast, and it does have the classical thought processes churning. Go with what makes you feel secure.

quote:

Originally posted by Tembo:
Sure, why not?? The "definately NO" answers here are probably from the double rifle clique who believe it is heresy to use anything but a double on anything larger than a ground squirrel. Give me a break!!! If Larry Weishun took 9 seconds to reload his Encore, he needs to practice.

Hey, not all double rifle owners think that way - I own and hunt with two doubles (9.3 and .500) and I am still planning a single shot only hunt for the future!

quote:

Originally posted by Tembo:
Sure, why not?? The "definately NO" answers here are probably from the double rifle clique who believe it is heresy to use anything but a double on anything larger than a ground squirrel. Give me a break!!! If Larry Weishun took 9 seconds to reload his Encore, he needs to practice.

Certainly no bias in that post HUH?

I probably hunt more than anyone on this forum with double rifles, but if you read my post above you will see, I also hunt with single shots, and bolt rifles as well. What, prey tell, has the type of rifle got to do with the size of the animal. I have doubles, bolts, single shots, and combo guns suited for every animal from sparrow to elephant. What a dumb class envy post that was!

Single shots are for amateurs who think they know it all - enough said. When shooting any game you should respect the animal enough to have the means to kill it as fast as you can when things go wrong, which they will if you hunt enough. And I am not even thinking about saving your life in a tough spot.

For plainsgame, who gives a shit?

For dangerous game, there are a few big talkers here. I suspect the promoters of single-shot rifles have never experienced a real, determined charge.

And the PH bailing you out? What is the point of hunting DG is the PH is going to shoot it? And it just infuriates me if the PH shoots. And if a repeater is ever needed it is to shoot that kind of shithead PH.

Let's see the single-shot shooter go into thick bush after the wounded lion, by himself. He'll be shitting all over his internet bravery.

quote:

Originally posted by reddy375:
Single shots are for amateurs who think they know it all - enough said.

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!

#

Very simple solution. Hunt with MS and you'll never have to fire a second shot, after he gets his in!

Will .... I agree 100% and I also think that if you're going to use a black-powder rifle or a bow for hunting DG then the regs should also require the PH to back you up with a similar weapon. I bet not many PH's would book those hunts if that were the case.

quote:

Originally posted by reddy375:
Single shots are for amateurs who think they know it all - enough said. When shooting any game you should respect the animal enough to have the means to kill it as fast as you can when things go wrong, which they will if you hunt enough. And I am not even thinking about saving your life in a tough spot.

Wow, talk about someone who thinks he knows it all!