I don't want to get into the debate of CRF vs PF etc. but surely there must be many of you out there that have considered using a falling block rifle in Africa.

Surely it's handling properties, and the fact a lot of hunting has been done with Farquesons' (sp) falling blocks at the turn of the previous century must have had some guys thinking of using a Ruger #1 in Africa.

Would you/have you, with the backing up of a good PH, use/used a single shot in Africa for dangerous game?

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Regards
Dave

DRB,

I am sure lots of people have used their #1s on DG without hesitation. That doesn't make it the best tool for the job.

I would hunt buffalo (and lion or leopard over bait) with a single-shot, but I would use my SSK .375JDJ handgun. I know it's a stunt, but I'd like to try it sometime (as long as my rifle is nearby )

I can use it well, and I can reload it faster than I can my #1s.

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

[This message has been edited by GeorgeS (edited 08-22-2001).]

Have thought of the #1 often. Where else can a left hander get a 9 pound rifle with a 24� barrel that handles like a 22� or even 20� bolt action and is chambered for honest to gosh African calibers like the .416 Rigby, .416 Rem. Mag. and the much maligned .458 Magnum, all for an actually reasonable price? (And if the .458 WM is not enough, all it takes is a chambering reamer to make it a Lott. No magazine feed rail or other modifications to be worried with.) The action is certainly as strong as anything you will find with a turnbolt attached. There may be some concerns that accuracy is not on par with the finest bolt actions, but what the hey, even a 2� grouping ability is plenty good enough for a .416 or .458 caliber bullet.

I would definitely have reservations about using one for a �Dangerous Game Charge Stopping Rifle� given the current de rigueur specifications for one of those. But I keep thinking of a saying about single shot weapons, spoken in a movie I saw once. �Many�s the time that nought has stood twixt me and the Gates of Hell but a single ball�. Don�t know if I�d have the cajones to actually test that out! Also don�t know how a modern PH would feel about that. Given the feelings of many about certain action types, you would be just as well armed with a single shot as you would be with a Remington Model 700, right? (That�s a joke, folks ;0)

Seriously, for any kind of really big game I think a decent shot could get by just fine with a Ruger #1. Again, in my sinistral case, it looks to be the easiest way to get into a really hard thumpin� rifle and still leave room for the trophy fees on the animals to be thumped.

Jim,
As a fellow lefty, I feel your pain. One reason I got the #1s was because no one was making LH rifles in these calibers.

DRB,
Single-shots are fine for hunting big game that doesn't bite back most of the time, but are a disadvantage when hunting DG. If you are willing to live with (or die because of) this disadvantage, go for it.
Your PH and trackers will race you back to the truck if anything goes wrong, though

George
P.S. Jim, you can get into LH DGRs for less than you think. They may not be in a common
cartridge, but they can be had for under $1500.

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

That last post post was pretty left hand self centered, so I wanted to address the larger issue.

I think the Ruger #1 makes a fine hunting rifle. From a safety standpoint, I understand that the safety blocks both the trigger and the hammer, so it is as safe as a Model 70 that way. The trigger on the only one I ever owned was adjustable and was excellent. They are plenty accurate enough and there are proven techniques to help them in that regard, if help is needed. I don't know enough about the mechanics of them to address the extraction issue, I guess that might be a weak point. The longer barrel can only help the ballistics of whatever cartridge you use, while maintaining a "short rifle" handling quality. It IS slower to reload if a fast second shot is needed, so if you make a bad shot on that kudu and it disappears into the bush, would you have time to take a second shot with a bolt action where you wouldn't with the #1? Who can really say? But barring that, what else bad can you say about one?

As George points out, maybe it is not the best choice for a real dangerous game type rifle if you assume that multiple shots will be required in a very short time, but I know a fellow who used his 1H in .458 Mag. to kill a buffalo. He thought the whole experience was kind of disappointing, he shot, the buffalo died, end of story. Maybe he was hoping to see just how fast he could reload in a charge situation?

Maybe someone would use a #1 in Africa for the same reason it would be used anywhere else, which is the challenge of making that first shot count with the knowledge that you don't have another round instantly available. Folks bow hunt Africa, why not "single shot" Africa?

I think a Ruger #1 would be a very sporting rifle to take to Africa. It would be up to the individual to decide on how big of a detriment the single loading aspect would be when facing buffalo, lion or whatever.

George, you made your second post while I was writing mine.

You've got my curiousity up. What LH DGR are you referring to for under $1500? And in what calibers? Does CZ or someone make lefthanded CRF rifles? I know Winchester is making some more LH M70's (so they say) in .375 and they could be bought and rebarreled for under $1500.

There are several ways to go about it:
1) you can look for a LH M-70 .375 (there's a guy who says he'll sell one NIB for ~$850-900), and either leave it as is or re-barrel to a bigger cartridge;
2) you can look for a LH M-70 in .300 Win. (or .338 if they made them), and rebarrel to .416 Taylor, .425 Express, or .458 Win., etc. (plus the other necessary alterations); 3) forego the CRF, and base it on a Sako action (the L461, not the new 75); or,
4) go with a Ruger M77 as the basis for your rifle (I can't get past Bill Ruger's sellout and the fact that it took him almost 50 years to produce a LH action, when he himself is lefthanded!!!)).
Unless you find a LH M-70 .375, the Ruger is probably your least expensive route. I've seen LH Mk IIs for ~ $375; add a barrel ($100-250, even more if a secondary recoil lug is needed), a trigger (~$75), bedding and crossbolts for the stock, plus proper sights and other gunsmithing ($500), and you should be done. (Note: reamers can be rented, so if your 'smith demands that you buy it, inform him otherwise).

Hope this helps,
George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

I have hunted game for years with my single shot bow. Tink Nathan and others have succesfully used archery tackle on dangerous game many times. I would not feel undergunned with my #1 458 Lott for dangerous game. Remember, a single WELL PLACED shot is better that 4 badly placed shots. Thanks, Tom C.

I have used my #1 in 500NE for buff and kudu. Were it not for "mugrabbers" goons I would have used it on Jumbo in Zim this year. It is a handy custom built rifle,22" barrel, weighs 7 1/2 lbs and is a cinch to carry for hours in the bush and when you need to use it you are not tuckered out from carrying it.
I have never had an extraction problem.

500Nitro,
How do you like the .500NE in the #1? I was toying with the idea of having a .450NE barrel installed on a #1 for the entertainment value.

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

George,
I thoroughly enjoy the little rifle. PWN on this forum shot a few rounds through it and I think he has stopped twitching now )
The 450 should work fine.
I can send you a pic off forum if you want, just holler,
J

Fellow lefties and #1 fans, I've been dreaming of a #1 for many years. The are beautiful in form and function.

FWIW, Gunsamerica (I have the LH search bookmarked) recently had a LH SS Savage in .458 for around $700, if I remember correctly. I just checked. It's gone.

They now have a custom .300 Win in Sako L691 for $999. It has an abominable thumbhole stock though.

Good shooting, Talus

500Nitro,
I'd appreciate it if you sent me a photo of it; please send to orion1@optonline.net

Thanks,

Talus,
I saw that Savage before; they just took a magnum action and installed a .458 barrel on it. It does not have CRF (if that matters).
You can take any .338 and do the same thing for less money than they're asking.

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

George,

500NE's rifle is beautiful and a pleasure to carry, even if one is a bit tired from folowing lost natives around in the bush of Mozambique for half the night. The recoil isn't really painful, but it is certainly present and you want to use good form when firing it. One of our mutual friends equated firing Gertude with a religious experience. It will cetainly test ones faith.

Perry

500NE & PWN....a 7.5 Boomer! I'm suprised you can remember firing it. Does it have the original stock...how about posting a photo?

Why not? I speed practice with my No. 1's all the time. In the bigger bore calibers, I have them in 416 Rigby and 375 H&H, along with the hardest kicking NO. 1 I have, a 45-70. While doing this on the range has become routine, I do not know what I might do if facing a charging buff. I may keep my composure and drop him on the spot, or I might crap my britches and run for the nearest tree. Don't know for sure what I would do until I was there. But, for range speed loading I can keep up easily with any bolt gun to three shots. Keeping two shells between my left fingers I shoot, eject, grab a shell and reload all without ever taking the rifle from my shoulder, same with the third shot. After that I'm out of fingers and shells so I fall behind the bolt gun then. Again, that's range performance, not real world ass-on-the-line performance. But, if they what they say is correct, you will behave under stress exactly how you have practiced. That includes stopping to pick up spent shells, so don't do it, but that's another rant.

I see no reason why the Ruger #1 can't be used for dangerous game-I'd say the same thing about lever guns. I wouldn't, however, recommend either for the first-timer. Rather, I see it as something thaat somebody who's been over a few times, knows the score, and who wants a new challenge. I would also do it with a PH who I had hunted with before and discuss it with him before the safari.

The Farquharson'action single shots were very popular in Asia and Africa in colonial times.Ruger#1 in .500Nitro would be an exellent tool for visiting hunter.To hunt smaller game, .500Nitro For Blackpowder, cartridge can be used with lower recoil. And .500Nitro has lot of charm for reloading with lighter/heavier bullets for single-shot , since it does not have to be regulated like double rifle. I dream of two single shot rifles ; 1:Ruger#1..........500NitroEx 2 akota#10........257WbyMag

The best choice is also the most easily available: Ruger No. 1 in 416 Rigby. I also have one in 510/460 Wby, but the 416 Rigby will do it all, most easily and affordably.

Alf and 500 Nitro make a good case for the single shot, with a PH backup.

I have had no extraction problems with rimless cartridges. The low pressure standard Rigby 416 ballistics are perfect.

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Good huntin' and shootin',
RAB