Didn't Selous often hunt with a Farquharson? Why would he have done so if I could have used a double?

Funny that you guys should mention it, but I'm planning on taking my unicycle on my next DG hunt, along w/ my No. 1, in 45-70 of course.

Ducking for cover and running for the bunker.......

I have no doubt that most trained people can shoot a bolt faster on multiple shots as a person trained with a Ruger.
As is said in certain circles, "there is best and then there is good enough."
I think a person who trained adequately and used common sense in the placement of reserve cartridges AND paid attention to the situation they were in could do just fine with a single shot.

I used a Ruger No 1 in .450/400-3" to take two cape buffalo & a variety of plainsgame in Zimbabwe in 2002. I did not feel handicapped with a single shot and look forward to using an original Jeffery Farquharson in the same caliber that I'm rebuilding.
Roger

Old Larry needs practice. The only way he should take that long is if he had to go into his backpack for more ammo. An Encore is a more beefed up Contender, capable of handling higher pressure rounds. I completely agree with you that a single shot is not a rifle you want in your hands IF a DG hunt goes South. But for a shot at an undisturbed animal, I don't see why it wouldn't work. Approach it like archers do, make the first shot count.

It is very clear that a single shot can work just fine on a dangerous game hunt.

I know a man who rides a unicycle to work every day and has done so for years. But my personal preference is to drive a car...

I suspect its one of those deals that your perfectly satisfied with one as long as nothing goes wrong, so since nothing has gone tits up, you think they are fine for hunting DG....but when things go sour, then you KNOW its time to change your mind if you live through it, and you will probably use a repeater from that point on, is my take on the subject....

That said, the PH has a big bore to help out in the short rows, so I'd say use whatever turns your crank, I would use a Ruger No. 1 for DG without hesitation, but then I would use an axe if thats all I had.......

John,

I think he just likes to do it. He is fit, and handles the hills just fine.

(Hijacker.)

i've used singles hots for years on small stuff, but on the big stuff I feel alot more comfortable with another barrel. I can't think of much that hasn't been killed with the first shot, but most dangerous animals can hit about 30 MPH which is about 11 yds a second. Thus if you are within 40 yards the animal can get you within about 2 seconds. My question then becomes How fast can you run??

Selous favoured a single shot over a double for three main reasons.



1) Doubles of the day regulated very poorly. Selous started off using a double .577 but never replaceced it for normal hunting after it was stolen. He did buy a cape double for night use against lion. (.577/.450 left barrel and 12g 3�" in the right). Fourved shotgun load was 3 .50 cal ball ahead of 4 drams of powder in the brass 3" or 3�" shell ( yup 3�" 12 gage is 131 years old now).



Once smokless powder came in and decently regulated doubles became available, Selous worked up from a .303 to a .450/.400. By then though he wasn't doing to much big game hunting except the odd buff and a good few lion. He carried the .400 all through his service in tanganyika in WWI, but used it very little.



2) No Black powder rifle possesed enough penetration to stop an ele charge. Selous started off using a 4 bore on ele and had several narrow escapes. He became a dedicated small bore fan relying on one accurate shot from the Gibbs. He never got chaced again.



3) The gibbs Rifles are much quicker and quieter to load than an under leaver, external hammer, non ejector, double. I own one of Selous Gibbs (He ordered at least 10 over the years in three different calibers) Work the leaver slowly and the rifle can be reloaded almost silently. Work the lever vigorously and the case lands over your shoulder. The Gibbs being a hamerless design, it is simply a matter of opening the leaver, stuffing a new round in and flicking the lever up with your fingers and you are ready to shoot again. The older doubles (Pre 1890) that I have tried are effectively single shots from the right barrel for accurate fire, with a back up shot for use at less than 10 paces from the left barrel. Almost all except Greener used a side swinging under leaver to operate. Classy but slow, especially combined with having to thumb back the hammer.



For Buffalo a double was probably a good idea, but Selous hunted very few of them in fact. They were too much trouble for the meat, and the hide wasn't worth anything. For ele, His single was as good a choice as any in that day.

Jorge,

I own a Ruger N1 in 7mm RM and I can fire a second shot faster than with a scoped bolt action. With a TC it is a completely different thing and you must not confuse two completely different actions!

Andrea: Given all things equal, that is, given two shooters of equal competence, there is no way that one can fire a single shot, even a Ruger #1 faster than a bolt. jorge

I would tend to think that just working the bolt back and fourth, is simplier than having to eject and insert individual rounds. Especially if something is coming at you.

a sweaty shaky hand feeling around for a cartridge and then stuffing it into a single shot... you have a greater chance for messing up IMO!