Bolt or a #1

[rwp315]

Would like to get a .458 Win.
Have shot a #1 in 30.06 and liked the size etc. Would you do one in a #1 or stick with a bolt gun?

Thanks,
RWP

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

A No1 will bring an extra dose of pleasure.

 

[Mark R]

A bolt. My reasoning is if you’re hunting something with a 458 you are probably wanting to fire another shot quickly.

 

[flatwater bill]

I'm with Kevin on this one...........go with the No. 1. If you're hunting something dangerous, make your first shot count. If you need another, you will likely have a couple of PH's with you anyway. As a side note, I have shot a lot of black powder in my number ones....even the 22' bbl of the 45-70 has taken a lot of African plains game for me with 63 grains of 2F and a 405 grain hard cast. The 458 has the 24" bbl and holds close to 100 grains (if you use a drop tube,) I have taken deer and elk with it and a 440 grain hard cast. Recoil with black is mild, but with heavy smokeless loads both calibers are fierce kickers in the relatively light No. 1 (My rifles had the old red Ruger pad on them which is as hard as a drill bit).........Best of luck with your choice.........FWB

 

[mark-hunter]

A No1 will bring an extra dose of pleasure.

Until a moment of need of urgent reload, with running away or charging buffalo!

But, I admit many hunters choose No1. There is appeal to it.
So, the choice of rifle type is either sentimental (no. 1), or realistic (bolt or dr). Personal choice.

 

[V.Veritas]

I'll through my 2 cents in.
1. Dr Kevin Robertson mentioned in a book or interview that the quickest PH shooting qualification match for Zimbabwe PH licence was shoot with a 375 H&H Ruger no.1 by a well exercised student. The bullets were installed in elastic loops sawed to his shoulder - the bullets pointing rewards if memeory serves me correctly.
2. Roger No.1 kicks significantly more than a bolt gun due to weight and stock design.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I highly recommend a bolt action. You never know when those extra rounds in the magazine can save your life. I’ve had some pretty unpleasant experiences while hunting dangerous game with single barreled firearms over the years (I documented two such incidents in my autobiography).

Having a single shot rifle chambered in a high pressure rimless case like the .458 Winchester Magnum to hunt in the heat of Africa… is extremely unwise in my humble experience.