Hello out there! I'm a new member here, with a fascination for the sigle shot firearm and a simple said question with, perhaps, a complicated answer.I would like to own a single shot rifle in the .223 remingtion cartridge with open sights (yes, open sights. Twenty- ten vision you see). I have seen and handled several; Spartans and Baikals (same thing), Rugers, and NEFs, the like. But I would like the opinions of people who have more experience on the subject of single shot rifles. My experience ends with a life time of SxS 12 gauges and 22 bolt actions. So, to the question:

Based on the information above, what is the gun I am looking for?

The one I have is a Browning 1885 in .223 no sights but a good gunsmith could put some on. Not much quality singles in .223. The Browning or Ruger with added sights would be my choice.

RLI

Artic,

I have 20/15 vision, but it doesn't start until about 5 feet from my face!!

I'm guessing you are using it for varmint, seal, polar bear and the like inside 150 yds or so. NEF makes a very functional rifle with open sights. My NEF with a scope shoots about 1" at 100 yds with just about any ammo. Since they are inexpensive, I don't mind dropping it once in awhile. A NEF in 22 K-Hornet is my truck gun. They are a lot of gun for the money. They also have a barrel swap program but you must send the gun back to the factory for them to fit the new barrel.

For twice the money, Thompson Center Contender and Encore are also possibilites, but mostly without iron sights. The Contender with a Super 16" barrel makes a really sweet rifle and you can also get other calibers at some point in the future if you desire. The Encore is almost a pound heavier, but will take barrels in much more powerful cartridges and still makes a nice lite rifle. All in all, very flexible guns!!

Ruger, Browning, and others make super fine rifles and there may be some models available with open sights, but probably not the .223. They do clean your wallet out quicker than the others, but they are wonderful guns!!

Check out the manufacturer web sites and get more info on idividual guns and then try to find the ones you are interested in so you can handle them before buying.

Good luck and hunt safe!!

Here's a nice one for sale on GunsAmerica with open sights and a scope:
223Remington