Break open single shot rifle vs Ruger No.1

25 October 2012, 02:43

Today’s hunting perspective?
Would you prefer the No.1 over the break open for more powerful cartridges? (375 and up)
What do you consider as a faster loading system?
Pros and cons between them upon your experience?
CZ

25 October 2012, 03:55

N E 450 No2

I have always been a fan of the Ruger No1.

I have owned two a 243 and a 45/70. Both shoot good, I used the 45/70 with some upper loads.
I have shot 375 H&H and 458 Win Mag No1's as well.

However, after my experience with break open guns, especially a single shot Blaser K 95, I now prefer a break open rifle for a single shot.

One of the reasons is, I really like the fact that a break open "gun", rifle, combo gun, drilling, double rifle drilling, or double rifle, can be transported to the hunt, broken down, in a case half as long as a "normal" rifle case.

Also it is very easy to have more than one barrel fitted to a break open system...

25 October 2012, 05:43

George Semel

Well, Ruger # 1's tend to be heavy compared to the break open stalking rifles such as the Blaser K 95 or the Merkel K-1. My heart warms for a Merkel but I would not say no to a Blaser. A 270 would be oh so right for most all of my current hunting chores.

25 October 2012, 06:31

mdstewart

I am a big fan of the falling blocks such as the Ruger #1, but I also find some of the break actions extremely accurate and handy. I am listing a new in box Merkel K-3 in .308 with a Swarovski 3x9x42 Z-3, and I bet the whole package doesn't weight 7.5 lbs. For a mountain or stalking rifle, it's perfect. And these K-3's are the most accurate rifles Merkel have ever built.

JP Sauer Drilling 12x12x9.3x72
David Murray Scottish Hammer 12 Bore
Alex Henry 500/450 Double Rifle
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock 6.5x55
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock .30-06
Walther PPQ H2 9mm
Walther PPS M2
Cogswell & Harrison Hammer 12 Bore Damascus
And Too Many More

25 October 2012, 07:10

Grenadier

They both have advantages and disadvantages. Break open single shot rifles tend to be lighter than falling block rifles. In sitting and prone positions falling block rifles are easier to unload and reload than break open rifles.

25 October 2012, 07:23

f224

quote:
Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I have always been a fan of the Ruger No1.

I have owned two a 243 and a 45/70. Both shoot good, I used the 45/70 with some upper loads.
I have shot 375 H&H and 458 Win Mag No1's as well.

However, after my experience with break open guns, especially a single shot Blaser K 95, I now prefer a break open rifle for a single shot.

One of the reasons is, I really like the fact that a break open "gun", rifle, combo gun, drilling, double rifle drilling, or double rifle, can be transported to the hunt, broken down, in a case half as long as a "normal" rifle case.

Also it is very easy to have more than one barrel fitted to a break open system...

What Tony said, I have a Blaser K-95 and it shoots sub .5moa with every load I have tried in it.

25 October 2012, 07:52

505ED

I like the break guns too. I had a K 95 in a 243 that was very accurate, and now have a Luxus M11 in a 6BR that is just as accurate.

25 October 2012, 08:58

1894mk2

I have a K95 and always wanted a #1.

The big issue with the #1 for me is the fact that loading and unloading is nigh on impossible to do silently. Add in the questionable reputation for accuracy (maybe not fair but it's there) and I haven't gone there.

The K95 is a dream

25 October 2012, 09:47

Brandon.Gleason

After handling both a No1 and a Merkel K1, I can only conclude that I must own one of both action type at some point. I think I'll be budgeting for a nice, handy break open first. Really love the way they shoulder and carry, not to mention how they look.

25 October 2012, 12:55

Geedubya

quote:
Originally posted by FFemt5287:
After handling both a No1 and a Merkel K1, I can only conclude that I must own one of both action type at some point. I think I'll be budgeting for a nice, handy break open first. Really love the way they shoulder and carry, not to mention how they look.

I find that since its acquisition several months ago, I am constantly conjuring up reasons to employ my little Merkel K1 rather that other rifles in my collection.

In fact I've been in contact with Steyr/Merkel to see if I can acquire a barrel and fore-end in the stutzen configuration in a 9.3 x 74R chambering. The 7-08 and that would cover a number of bases.

Best

GWB

25 October 2012, 14:55

Brandon.Gleason

^^^^^You^^^^^, my friend, are to blame for my new found lust for a K1! I've my eyes peeled for a nice .270 once funds become available....

25 October 2012, 20:08

Mike Scott

quote:
They both have advantages and disadvantages. Break open single shot rifles tend to be lighter than falling block rifles. In sitting and prone positions falling block rifles are easier to unload and reload than break open rifles.

25 October 2012, 23:12

J.D.Steele

2 problems and ONLY 2 problems with the breakopens IMO. First (and something I could probably live with, grin) is the difficulty of reloading while prone.

Second (and a LOT harder for me to overcome) is the cost of a good one. I don't need and wouldn't have the factory wood and while the factory barrels are accurate they are also expensive and limited in appearance/accouterments.

So at least for now I guess I'll hafta be content with the falling blocks (grin).
Regards, Joe

26 October 2012, 06:50

kjjm4

My only experiences with break opens are with H&R and T/C guns, but I'd rather have a Number 1 or other falling block in a heavy caliber (especially one that runs at relatively high pressure). It just think a falling block is a stronger action.

26 October 2012, 23:47

butchloc

quote:
2 problems and ONLY 2 problems with the breakopens IMO. First (and something I could probably live with, grin) is the difficulty of reloading while prone.

Second (and a LOT harder for me to overcome) is the cost of a good one. I don't need and wouldn't have the factory wood and while the factory barrels are accurate they are also expensive and limited in appearance/accouterments.

So at least for now I guess I'll hafta be content with the falling blocks (grin).
Regards, Joe

yup me2

27 October 2012, 22:10

209jones

I used a Ruger 1H 450/400ne last year, will use it again this year. I have an 1885 in 300H&H to blood this year, which at 10lbs 2oz, is a tad heavier than I'd like, but, will get by with it. I also picked up a Merkel K1 7 Remmag this spring. Took 3 yrs of watching on them, to see the price come down to where it was viable. Looking forward to trying it out.
They all shoot well. The #1 is comfy to carry all day for me, likely a pound or a bit more, lighter than the 1885 though. The Merkel is just sweet in the carry/handling dept, although it felt a bit like the 450/400 on the shoulder, w/o a recoil pad on it, that has been cured though.

Strengthwise as to the actions, I won't try to hot rod the Merkel, it is a good action, but, I don't need to test it , either. In fact, I will likely run 140's out of it @ 2950 or so, that will do what I need it to do,if asked to.

They are all just fun to play with.

29 October 2012, 06:00

Alberta Canuck

As all have agreed above, both action types can be found serving as the bases for some very nice and very accurate rifles.

About the only type of single shot action I don't like is the side-lever falling blocks.

Even the finest, such as the older Dan'l Fraser "best-grade" .303s built in Edinburgh are sometimes danged near impossible to get reliable extraction from....especially if you want to be able to use whatever factory ammo comes along when you are on an extended hunt in foreign climes.

I agree that falling blocks likely have more innate strength, but I also think that break actions often feel handier in the field. It seems easier to stock a break-action so it shoulders and handles like an excquisite ahotgun than some falling blocks allow.

All JMO....I'll provide a good home to any of either which you wish to exile to my premises postage paid.

29 October 2012, 08:13

mdstewart

quote:
Originally posted by 209jones:
I used a Ruger 1H 450/400ne last year, will use it again this year. I have an 1885 in 300H&H to blood this year, which at 10lbs 2oz, is a tad heavier than I'd like, but, will get by with it. I also picked up a Merkel K1 7 Remmag this spring. Took 3 yrs of watching on them, to see the price come down to where it was viable. Looking forward to trying it out.
They all shoot well. The #1 is comfy to carry all day for me, likely a pound or a bit more, lighter than the 1885 though. The Merkel is just sweet in the carry/handling dept, although it felt a bit like the 450/400 on the shoulder, w/o a recoil pad on it, that has been cured though.

Strengthwise as to the actions, I won't try to hot rod the Merkel, it is a good action, but, I don't need to test it , either. In fact, I will likely run 140's out of it @ 2950 or so, that will do what I need it to do,if asked to.

They are all just fun to play with.

Winchester obviously didn't make very many .300 H&H's in the 1885. I've been looking for one that's up for sale, can't find one anywhere. If I eventually find one and the wood looks good, I'll grab it.

Let us know how yours shoots. It is quite heavy for caliber. Recoil should be nothing.

01 November 2012, 12:49

209jones

It took a while for me to get the 1885, nearly 20 months. Up here we pay dearly for it also.there are a couple more up here, and a 375. The wood is not fancy on them, I have some walnut I will whittle away on this winter for it. I had to grit my teeth and turn down the 375 as I have a Krieghoff double coming. It is really nice to shoot. One of the reasons it is heavy is Leupold rings and a 4.5-14x44 Conquest on it. All I have shot in it so far is factory 180 Hornady Interbonds. It likes them well enough that I haven't bothered developing any loads for it yet.Bought 80 of them with it, have about 25-30 left to blast off to get the brass.
I will take it hunting over the next couple of weeks, Likely will use it on some cutblocks or pipelines where I can sit with it.