I've never had a single shot rifle - can they achieve MOA accuracy at 3-500 yard ranges? I'm looking for a 7MM Mag and the benefit of that round is the ability to reach out and touch something.

If so, what make/model do you recommend?

Hunter308

Ive never shot that far yet. I have 2 N0.1's, one in 22/250 and the other in 30/06. Both shoot right at .50" @ 100 yards. Great rifles. I would think as far as hunting accuracy they should do well at those distances. Both of mine are Ruger No.1 1B models, with 26" barrels.

Hunter, I am not qualified to speak to single shots as a group but I can tell you that the single shots I own are extremely accurate at distances I shoot them with.
I have every confidence that single shots can be as accurate as any other action but saying they are more accurate than say, bolt actions for example, would be pure speculation on my part.

My Browning hi-wall is a tack driver. Superior design and fit-n-finish.

They're not made anymore but were made in 7mm mag up until 2001.

An excellent example of a modern single shot, based on an old action. Superbly built and extremel accurate.

My 14yr old son shoots a Encore w/Pro Hunter barrel in 243.
He just had 1 shot kills on deer @ 212yds and 287yds.
I really don't shoot paper that much.
I set up clay birds and we shoot them from all different positions. I figure a 4" clay bird is a kill shot on any animal.
We've made plenty of long shots on prairie dogs during the summer.
I figure it loading for the gun and getting plenty of trigger time helps ALOT!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Hunter308:
I've never had a single shot rifle - can they achieve MOA accuracy at 3-500 yard ranges? I'm looking for a 7MM Mag and the benefit of that round is the ability to reach out and touch something.

If so, what make/model do you recommend?

Hunter308

Provided the muzzle velocity and barrel twist rates are the same, if you compare say a bolt action with a single shot capable of MOA accuracy at 100 yards, their respective accuracy at longer ranges should also be similar.

I easily achieve better than MOA accuracy with Encores and Contenders. I have no experience with other single shot rifles or handguns. My Encore barrel collection includes a 7mm Remington Magnum barrel and it's no exception but my favorite long range Encore barrel is my 300 Win. Mag.

The 1885 Browning has a hanger for the fore end so the fore end never touches the barrel.It's a fairly heavy barrel and barrel[Badger] and action [Miroku] are very well made .I've only used my 45-70 for hunting so I don't know the ultimate accuracy but I never did find ammo that wouldn't keep them inside 1 MOA.

They can be superbly accurate, but there are some intricacies to familiarize yourself with as both loading and shooting techniques are crucial to achieving optimum results.













This bobcat, taken with a 24" 30-30 AI and a 150 grain Ballistic Silvertip at 297 yards, was one of my longer shots. He was facing me at a slight quartering angle, and the bullet entered above the left eye and exited the lower right abdomen.

Thanks for the scoop and the detailed photos! It looks like I'll be getting a single shot rifle for Xmas!

Next decision: Contender or NEF? The NEFs are half the price - do you think they'd shoot as well? Note: I do not plan to change barrels, so that advantage of the Contender doesn't matter to me. I just want one 7MM Mag rig that's not too long.

Hunter 308

In another price range but the Blaser K95 single shots are among the most accurate hunting rifles.

Highwall, open sights, 100 meter, three plus three between sight adjustments.

quote:

Originally posted by Hunter308:
Thanks for the scoop and the detailed photos! It looks like I'll be getting a single shot rifle for Xmas!

Next decision: Contender or NEF? The NEFs are half the price - do you think they'd shoot as well? Note: I do not plan to change barrels, so that advantage of the Contender doesn't matter to me. I just want one 7MM Mag rig that's not too long.

Hunter 308

I don't know if you can expect the accuracy with the NEF Bobby has shown with his Contenders. My guess is they are half price for a reason. If you are going with a magnum caliber, I would use a good, proven, safe platform. We know the Encore can handle the pressures generated by the 7Mag. I'm not sure the NEF will give you the same level of satisfaction.
Bobby is the go-to man for Contender questions. I do not believe the Contender will accept the 7 Mag but Bobby can give us confirmation.

Cliff-

Thanks for the kind words, and you are indeed right in that the 7mm Mag needs the Encore platform.

Hunter308-

While the beauty of the TC single shots is the barrel interchangeability you refer to, I find myself dedicating a given barrel to a given frame and leaving it as-is. I guess I defeat the purpose of the system, but for me, it's all about repeatable accuracy and the confidence in knowing the next shot launched downrange will be precisely where it should be -- assuming I can hold up my end of the bargain.

Keep us posted on your project.

All the best...
Bobby

I have several single shots Encore 338 Mag shoote like a lazer ! winchester highwall 45/70 put to bed with discust ! remington rolling block 45/90 would drop a T-REX if we had them ! another 40/65 same hole at 200 yds ! Ruger #1 375 H&H a prize to shoot ,I reload all my ammo !

I would consider this my best shot this year and it was done with my Thompson/Center Contender chambered in 204 Ruger.

There have been more crows around this year than I can remember and they are bullies. In the spring the fly around my field eating the eggs of various birds that nest on the ground, etc. so I've decided to take them out at every opportunity.

In Ohio, the days you're allowed to shoot crows are Friday, Saturday and Sunday so I was out on my front porch this morning around 10 AM which is the usual time crows show up in front of my house but today that didn't happen. I heard them and they were on the property across the road from my place but they didn't come on to my property so eventually I gave up and went back inside the house.

After lunch I looked out and lo there were a couple of crows out in front of my place. I had placed a chair on the front porch near the porch railing so I could use the railing as a rest. My forethought now brought its rewards as with as much stealth as possible I went out the front door, sat in the chair, got a good rest on the railing and fired.

I knew the crows were quite a ways away; I figured about 300 yards and I know that with my 2-7X Leupold scope I would have to hold 10 to 11 inches high at 300 yards. Knowing about how tall crows are, I held over it what I estimated to be the correct amount and fired and to my delight hit the crow quite upsetting its partner.

I got my GPS out and got 311 yards from where I shot to where the crow met its demise.

Since I respect crows, it won't go to waste. By the time I was walking down to the scene of the kill, a hawk was already on it. I removed the crow though and put it in my back yard; maybe it will attract a fox or something that I can also tag.

By the way, there is nothing special about my Contender. It hasn't had a trigger job, it has no hanger bar, etc. The stock is one I got years ago from Fox Ridge Outfitter so I guess it's a bit special. I do switch barrels around on my Contender and Encores but I try to make sure a given barrel always goes with a given frame but that may not be all that important. I also have my Encore and Contender scopes in Warne QD rings on Warne steel bases and switch scopes around at will.

Well, tomorrow deer gun season opens in Ohio and there has been quite a bit of shooting around my house. Out of courtesy to my neighbors, I usually don't shoot on Sunday but, if they're doing it I guess I will to. Maybe I'll break out the 378 Weatherby.

It isn't the type of action or the price that affects accuracy...or the shooter. Most of the time it's just the individual rifle...some shoot great right out of the box some are totally pizzpoor.

I have several NEF's including stubbed switch barreled ones that shoot bughole groups and I've had some that ended up as donor receivers because the barrels were so lousy it was beyond belief. But to get ANY of them to shoot what I consider good groups (less than half inch for 5 shots) I had to tune the rifle AND the ammo.

I have only two T/C's now and one has been rechambered and forend work to get it to shoot straight. but now it will shoot MUCH less than half inch with the loads that are tuned to it.

I've had the same problems with bolt, pump and semi-auto guns and NONE of them shot anywhere near half in with factory ammo right out of the box.

There ain't no free meal here, you just have to pick your poison, pay your money and take the consequences...or buy a used one from someone that you can see shoots good...and good luck...I've NEVER sold or traded a good shooting rifle...only the "bad" ones.

Sometimes what looks like a real deal is only the beginning of a money pit or a total nightmare.

The good thing about the cheapness of the NEF is you won't be out much if it doesn't shoot and you can always sell it for almost what you paid for it. Graybeard has all the scooby on how to make one shoot plenty good.

If you really want a good single shot right from the gitgo, buy a Ruger #1 or Win Hi Wall first choice or a T/C with the 28" bbl as second choice, then have a tuneup done by a single shot specialist, learn how to tune your ammo and have a lifetime full of good shooting.

How does the saying go...everyone wants a silk purse, but tries to make it out of a sows ear.

Luck