Why buy/use a single shot rifle?

[cbd10pt]

Been hunting with an ar lately, won't
Go back, to a single or bolt gun.

Not as fun as archery but I can't figure out why I would ever want anything else for Texas critters.

[westtexducks]

Shorter overall length with same length barrel making it handier also lighter weight making it easier to carry. And they can be down right sexy compared to a bolt gun


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cajuntec]

Initially, my draw to the single shot firearms was the versatility. I initially purchased a Thompson Center Encore with the intention of swapping out barrels whenever I wanted. I started with .25-06 and 7mm-08 with one frame, and swapped between the two. Then came .308. Then .22-250. Then 6.8 SPC.

But after a while, I didn't feel like swapping barrels when I wanted to change cartridge. So I bought frames to match each barrel.

One of my friends pointed out that he liked the way I was doing it because he could justify those kinds of purchases to his wife. Slowly buying piece by piece - kind of like a single shot version of an AR. Assemble the firearm at home, piece by piece, with the components you want. Spread out the cost over time so either you aren't upsetting your spouse with your large expenditure gun purchases, or simply because you know that you don't have the disposable income or the patience to save up money to buy whole firearms at once. I'm lucky in the fact that my wife never cared what I purchased. But it does help to assemble a firearm over time, and the T/C platforms allow you to do so - Customized as you buy each piece too.

But then I wanted to get into single shot pistols. So I bought Encore pistol frames. Then pistol barrels. Then specialty grips. And that collection grew (along with frames for each barrel - there goes that whole "interchangable barrel" plan).

But then I got my first T/C Contender. I built an ultra lightweight carbine in .357 Max. Here's another instance where the single shot, build-able platform comes in handy. I just shipped the 14" barrel I had to a machine shop, and had them permanently attach a brake, bringing the overall barrel length to 16 1/4" I didn't have to get any special tools to remove the barrel, or send in a whole barreled action, or anything like that. Just drop the barrel in a piece of PVC pipe, mail, wait, pay, and get my barrel back. Install with one hinge pin and done! Legal carbine length barrel on my Contender rifle frame. But then I had to build another, and another, and another.

They are every bit as addictive as assembling AR's. Single - Shot "Lego's for Adults".

All the best,
Glenn

[lungbuster1985]

We use a TC encore pro hunter in .308. My wife is left handed and the stocks my bolt guns never fit her right. The gun is accurate and using it allows us to bring only one rifle to the stand. After using it for a while, I really want a ruger No.1.

[billfromtx]

I’ve been hunting with a Ruger #1 270 for 25 years. Ive got 4 other bolt guns and 3 lever guns and a BAR 30-06. My single shot is by far my favorite. Beautiful, accurate, simple.

[okrattler]

For shooting prairie dogs and small varmints I don't mind having a single shot. For a big group of hogs or multiple coyotes coming in to a call I'd rather have something different. I try to make every shot count no matter what I'm using. I'd rather be quick about it though.

[Abcdj]

Kids and grandkids can't go thru ammo like candy. They have to learn how to use a gun safely and properly concentrate.

[Tx_Wader]

I had a Ruger #1 in 25-06 that had the most beautiful burl wood stock and fore piece and it shot very very well. I really liked that rifle and it's one that I wish I had back.

My Dad was into double rifles and he had an o/u rifle in .348 Winchester that was just awesome to shoot. He hunted deer with it numerous times.

They're unique in appearance and they shoot well. I guess that's why people like them.

[bullets13]

I started hunting with a TC encore in 25-06. Great shooting gun. I don't know if I can give an argument that single shot is better than other types of rifles, but if you make a good shot you should only need one bullet unless you're in an area with a lot of pigs, which is why I usually shoot a bolt action .308 now

[RifleBowPistol]

I have had multiple single shot rifles. I used to have a Browning copy of a 1895 Winchester high wall, very good shooting rifle. I really wish I had another. I usually carried five extra rounds in my pocket, but never needed a back up shot with that rifle. Later I got a Ruger Number 1, never could get that rifle to shoot, so I sold it, then found out it was the expensive scope and likely there was nothing wrong with the rifle.

I have also had three T/C Contenders, I love them, they are very accurate, then the selection of barrels is huge. My current Contender, is set up as a carbine, with a 18" barrel. It is very short, light and accurate. Very seldom have I ever needed a follow up shot with any of my Contenders. I have shot a lot of game with them over the years, mostly 30-30 barrels. Used to have two 14", pistol barrels for the ones I had years ago, the current one has the carbine barrel. Back when I had the pistol barrels, I would carry the gun, with it broke open, with a round in the chamber, then three rounds either in my pocket or in the ash tray. Now with the carbine, I will typically carry, three to five rounds in my pocket and one in the chamber with the gun closed.

As for why I have owned those guns, the Browning was a beautiful gun, chambered for 22-250 with a heavy barrel, it was very accurate. I liked the styling, it had a hammer similar to a lever action. As a kid I grew up with a Winchester 9422. So I liked having a gun with a hammer. It was different and I usually did not need a follow up shot. I have always liked falling blocks, they are just cool.

As for the Contenders, I liked the caliber selection accuracy, light weight, the option of switching back and forth from pistol to rifle or changing calibers easily. Then again, it has a external hammer.

As for the idea of buying a single shot, because it will be safer, I have never looked at it that way. Mainly because it only takes one shot to kill someone and external hammers that I like so much have caused many accidental shootings over the years, for multiple reasons. So in ways, they are potentially more dangerous.

[hpdrifter]

I just like the shorter overall length of a single shot. Feels better.

[Cajun Blake]

You must misunderstand the term "bolt action" They can be single shot or repeaters. I have many of both types.

For the utmost accuracy single shot bolt actions are used, typically they are stiffer due to not having a cut out in it for a magazine. They can be right handed left ported or right ported or left handed left ported or right ported.

pretty much all I shoot .... single shot bolt actions, as I prefer Rt bolt/Left port

[okrattler]

I know a lot of kids that were started out on a break action single shot rifle. Myself included but in my opinion as far as safety goes they're much more dangerous than a bolt action or semi automatic. Once that hammer is pulled back,it's ready to go. If you don't shoot all it takes is your thumb slipping off that hammer while you're lowering it and it's gonna go off.

[hully1029]

pretty much all I shoot .... single shot bolt actions, as I prefer Rt bolt/Left port

that's sexy right there. what round is that?

[kmon]

Many good reasons given so far. Main reason to me is they are FUN
Additional reasons can have a shorter gun with the same length barrel or the same length gun with a longer barrel when compared to other actions
Most I have shot have been accurate
They look cool
Make you concentrate on that first shot.
Some can save some weight for a hunting gun
Most are accurate as hunting guns
Then there are the single shot boltactions, cool guns as pointed out above
Simple mechanisms not much to go wrong with most designs.


I have old a couple I wish I had held on to but still have a few.
H&R topper 44 mag
TC Contender 7-30 Waters and 22 lr in the carbine
TC Encore 22-250 and 50 cal ML
Ruger #1 International 275 Rigby
Browning Low wall 22 Horner
Browning 1885 High Wall 45-70
Little Sharps Rifle Company Lil' Reliable 38-55, my favorite Single shot

Little Sharps with Mississippi Doe and Brittney that loves a blood trail.