The Accurate Reloading Forums
Is it safe to shoot a single shot rifle?
10 June 2005, 22:51
RiflemanZIs it safe to shoot a single shot rifle?
Is it safe to shoot a ruger single shot rifle on safari?This one is a 375 ruger.If a buffalo charges,will i have time to chamber another round?Does anyone use these?
*We Band of .338 ers*.NRA Member
10 June 2005, 22:53
GeorgeSUse the search feature. This has been discussed many times in the past.
George
Geez, George....
You could say that about 90% of the posts on these boards. By the way, whaddya think... .270 or 30-06
RiflemanZ
It's perfectly safe. Just make sure you shoot 'em in the eyeball
Regards
Elmo
10 June 2005, 23:06
AfricanHunterquote:
Originally posted by RiflemanZ:
Is it safe to shoot a ruger single shot rifle on safari?This one is a 375 ruger.If a buffalo charges,will i have time to chamber another round?Does anyone use these?
Certainly the rifle should be safe to shoot. Would I use it or recommend it for a buffalo hunt? No, but that's a personnal opinion and not the last word with proof and etc.!
10 June 2005, 23:08
T.CarrA controversial subject with no definitive answer. Many buffalo have been killed with single shot rifles. IMHO, not the best selection for a DGR.
Regards,
Terry
Msasi haogopi mwiba [A hunter is not afraid of thorns]
10 June 2005, 23:58
JohnTheGreekquote:
Originally posted by elmo:
By the way, whaddya think... .270 or 30-06
45-70, OF COURSE ! ! !
Best,
JohnTheGreek
11 June 2005, 00:05
Mike378If you can believe the double rifle fans a bolt action is only a single shot if a charge occurs.
I am not a fan as such of Ruger # 1s but have often wondered would they be better than the bolt action as they are free of feeding and jamming problems.
Mike
11 June 2005, 00:11
GeorgeSquote:
Originally posted by elmo:
Geez, George....
You could say that about 90% of the posts on these boards. By the way, whaddya think... .270 or 30-06
True, but after seeing the same questions asked 40, 50, even 100 times, it should occur to you that people should search a forum to see if the question has been asked and answered before.
George
11 June 2005, 00:22
LaDoumaThere is a thread for qulaifications of a PH that contains the tidbit that many of the newbys have qualified under the eyes of local authorities using an old Ruger #1 in .375 H&H cause it's a cheap gun.
Looks like it meets their specifications. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
11 June 2005, 01:40
Wooly ESSI have never hunted Cape Buffalo, but on many occasions while shooting ground squirrels with a single shot 22 Hornet I have wished for a quick followup shot. If I am aware of the absence of a followup shot while shooting gophers, I imagine the shortfall would be even more noticeable while hunting Cape Buffalo!
11 June 2005, 02:42
AtkinsonWould I? probably
Is it recommended? probably not..
I mean it just makes common since to realize that if you get a charge, your at a terrible disadvantage, make it a 45-70 single shot and your toast!
Ray Atkinson
Atkinson Hunting Adventures
10 Ward Lane,
Filer, Idaho, 83328
208-731-4120
rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com
11 June 2005, 02:48
500grainsquote:
Originally posted by RiflemanZ:
Is it safe to shoot a ruger single shot rifle on safari?This one is a 375 ruger.If a buffalo charges,will i have time to chamber another round?Does anyone use these?
Rifleman,
1. The PH probably will not let you get too close to the buffalo.
2. The PH will probably be pretty quick on the trigger himself.
If you want to get up close and personal with a buff and handle the situation yourself, a single shot is not the way to go.
11 June 2005, 02:50
Michael RobinsonJohn Barsness used a Ruger No. 1 on buff and IIRC he had some trouble bringing his down although he was in no danger and finally dropped it.
That crew from Rifle magazine is more than a little bit strange when it comes to picking DGRs. Scovill takes an '86 Winchester in .50-something and Pearce takes a .45-70.
And these guys are the so-called experts. More like stunt men if you ask me.
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
11 June 2005, 03:39
Keith AtchesonKnowing how dangerous a cape buffalo can be, I can't imagine why anyone would use a single shot rifle in a situation where a buff might charge.............unless one has a death wish.
Matter of fact, I really can't see why anyone would use a SSR on any dangerous game, but I'm definetely biased. Up to the shooter though...
Jack Atcheson & Sons
www.atcheson.comGO HUNTING NOW WHILE YOU ARE PHYSICALLY ABLE
11 June 2005, 04:47
onefunzr2quote:
Is it safe to shoot a ruger single shot rifle on safari?
No more dangerous than many other American hunters who, after firing the first shot from their repeater, just stand there with their mouth open admiring the situation.
Or so I've been told by a South African PH.
There are lots of guys that have used single shots. But by definition you are using the PH as backup in case things go to crap. Not quite playing the game fair.
But what the hey, fewer hunters, cheaper prices.
-------------------------------
Will / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
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11 June 2005, 04:57
Charles Mc Williamsquote:
Originally posted by RiflemanZ:
Is it safe to shoot a ruger single shot rifle on safari?This one is a 375 ruger.If a buffalo charges,will i have time to chamber another round?Does anyone use these?
For Buff i would shy off of a single unless you have super fast loading technique. My uncle showed me the down fall of a single when i was young. I liked shooting his old Martini so he gave me two rounds. He then rolled a ball up a hill and told me to hit it when it reached the top and then to hit it before it reached me. I dont have to tell you what happened. If it were Old George instead of a ball i wouldnt be typing this. Hope this helps you out. Charlie
11 June 2005, 05:00
vapodogPlase be advised that a lot of hunters spend a bundle to get their Bolt Action rifle a new drop box and stock just to allow one more round in the magazine.
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11 June 2005, 05:04
invader66I have seen people work a #1 as fast as some work a bolt. There are those with a bolt who drop the weapon down to work the bolt loose sight picture etc. To me It's about skill, practice & what you have faith in. I do like the #1 and have one in a 458 lott. Several shooters, better than me, have shot it rapid fire and none of us have been able to get the empty to clear without having to turn or elevate the barrel. Therefore disrupting sight picture. Wheh I go after buff I,m thinking of taking a CZ.If I do it will be in a lott also. Have not bought one yet though.
just my thought and I like the #1.
Semper Fi
WE BAND OF BUBBAS
STC Hunting Club
11 June 2005, 09:47
NitroXquote:
Originally posted by Keith Atcheson:
Knowing how dangerous a cape buffalo can be, I can't imagine why anyone would use a single shot rifle in a situation where a buff might charge.............unless one has a death wish.
Matter of fact, I really can't see why anyone would use a SSR on any dangerous game, but I'm definetely biased. Up to the shooter though...
The voice of unfortunate experience should be listened too ......
IMHO: Single shot= Death wish
11 June 2005, 13:15
ForrestBExperience says no.
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"Truth is the daughter of time."
Francis Bacon
11 June 2005, 14:29
fredj338You could w/ the right situation, more open area, good back up, as always, good shot placement w/ the right bullet. I would want more than a .375h&h though if I am only getting one, maybe two shots off. I am very fast reloading w/ mine.
Invader, have your gunsmith take the safety off & reshape it so your empties clear. Then you can reload that #1 pretty darn fast.
LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR'S SPORT!
If you like it, go ahead and use it.
The likelyhood of getting a charge if your first shot was good is extremely small.
Unless, of course, you hunt with Mark Sullivan.
11 June 2005, 21:58
retreeverRZ,
Here is how I look at it...You are going for DG with the mimimum caliber...If the do hits the fan are you ready to hold your fire for nyati to be at 20 feet or closer till you make a spine shot...
Or look at it this way...You will be spending almost 9G's for a buf hunt what's a little more for a multiple shot rifle..
I shoot the 458 Lott in the M77...
Or trade up to a 577N.E.
Mike
Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting
www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
11 June 2005, 22:11
BiggestGunI agree with Saeed. If you like it then go ahead. We don't all have to have a CZ. Make your own decision! After five buffalo I can say it mostly depends on the first shot anyways. I personally would rather use a single shot 458 Lott than a 375 bolt gun on Buff. Of course a 500 or 577 double would be sweet.
Marshall Jones
12 June 2005, 01:58
velodogRebarrel it to a 500 nitro express ,at least you will get one good shot in, and have at least some confidence in the gun, otherwise its like pig shooting with a 22 ,just fill them full of lead until they go down .Or like a aborigine in the northern territory of Australia said about buffalo hunting ''shootum plenty bullets and by and by him lay down and die''
12 June 2005, 08:29
invader66Forrest: Post more Info,Hog killer thinks I should take my #1 458 lott when I go. Dose he think I'd leave him my guns or what?
Gene
Semper Fi
WE BAND OF BUBBAS
STC Hunting Club
12 June 2005, 08:43
RiflemanZI will take a look at the M77!
*We Band of .338 ers*.NRA Member
12 June 2005, 09:02
500grainsquote:
Originally posted by RiflemanZ:
I will take a look at the M77!
See here:
quote:
Then we come to one that surprises me. Ruger. The early Ruger M77's with the non rotating claw extractors but still a push feed mechanism, in .458 Win could be relied upon to jam if the bolt was worked quickly. In the 1980's the National Parks culling teams found this out the hard way and the new Rugers were quickly disposed of or issued to stations where a heavy rifle was seldom required. The new MkII Ruger with a proper controlled feed seemed to be a vast improvement and were reputed to work a whole lot better and of course come at a top dollar price. I learned differently. All but one out of seven I’ve seen or handled this year (6 in .416 Rigby and one .458 Win) would not eject if the bolt was opened vigorously. Slow down just a fraction and they throw the empty case half way into the next province. For a client coming out to Africa this may be acceptable. Any really fast fancy shooting is going to be the PH’s.
For the Professional Hunter or Guide though, a rifle that is guaranteed not to eject when worked at speed is a death sentence waiting to happen. The fault lies with the sprung loaded ejector that springs into place as the bolt is withdrawn. Work the bolt at a moderate speed and the ejector is in place to cleanly throw the case clear. Work the bolt fast and the ejector is still on its way up when the case passes over it. A few will work provided the ejector is scrupulously clean and well oiled but many will not do even that (and how do you keep it clean AND oiled in the usual dusty conditions?). A much stronger spring and a little polishing of the raceway that it fits into may cure the problem, but they are not safe as they come from the factory. A local gun shop tells me that they have sent two new rifles back this year because of this problem, and our local top gunsmith tells me that while most can be made to work perfectly, some cannot. Ruger needs to wake up, their No.1, single shot rifle is a far safer and more dependable weapon than their bolt action.
http://www.african-hunter.com/lessons_learned.htm
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