Would you use single shot for Dangerous Game?

[rookhawk]

All this discussion makes me think of the purity and challenge of taking a DG shot with a traditionally, original Gibbs Farquarson single shot. It is indeed a feat and would be a special hunt. I'd love to see it myself. The question is really, are we as hunters willing to accept the limitations and lack of flexibility that comes from using more challenging tools to hunt? Are we willing to accept the consequences to our safari that comes from reduced technology?

I bring a single shot 7x57 with me most every hunt I take. I've killed Kudu, Warthog, Impala, Steenbok, Duiker, Waterbuck, Hyena, Zebra and a lot of other things with my single shot. I love it. I realize that I'm accepting some limitations due to my choice of implement but also some benefits beyond just nostalgia and purity. (tang safeties typically allow faster first shot) Nonetheless, I've certainly missed before with my single and its cost me a couple of amazing trophies but I found it a worthwhile endeavor. (and a pleasure to carry all day compared to a magazine rifle)

My longwinded point is that there are trade offs and the level of anachronism and tradition you demand will diminish your bag. Thats okay if you know that going in.

I'll bet you this, even if we don't want to hunt DG with a single shot personally, I think all of us would like to see it done. I feel the same way about stalking game with a recurve bow...count me out of the doing but I'd sure like to buy the successful hunter a beer and celebrate his success if it all clicks.

 

[AZDAVE]

@rookhawk I will be hunting elk in about 2 weeks with a Allen style underhammer 12 bore, traditional round ball with 190gr of 2ff under it. So I will take you up on the beer If I am successful. If I am not I will buy you the beer. no matter what we are both going to get a beer at some point

 

[rookhawk]

Hats off to you @AZDAVE !

To those that say "what we do is less important than how we do it", I salute you.

Good luck on your hunt.

 

[Kavik]

@Royal27 (Here is a question for the hunters. What would you think if you showed up at camp and your PH said he would be backing you up with a Ruger No 1, but not to worry, its a Lott.) I personally wouldn't have a problem as at the distance 10M and under that the PH would back up there will only be time for one shot. But I have also hunted most my life with a single (Rifle, Muzzle loader and bow) before a good friend (IE good miserable rotten scoundrel of a friend) introduced me to doubles that first right and left out of that 500NE cost me alllllot of money and caused many horse trades of some of my old classic singles (Sharps, ballards, stevens, rolling blocks) to get what I believe are a nice set or rifles. I also hunt with bolt guns but just not as often. The trick with a single is learning how to reload smoothly and quickly while still keeping your eye on the target. I found that taking three dummy rounds and practising in the dark over and over it develops muscle memory. Did the dame thing with double when I first started shooting them. Like @rookhawk mentioned it is the target acquisition after the shot as you reload that is hard to do with bolt or singles. Many folks bring the bolt gun down off their shoulder when cycling the bolt and singles are much the same. It is teaching yourself to keep eyes on the target and work the reload process on the rifle be it a double, bolt or single with the minimum number of movements.

I, also hunted most of my youth in Colorado with a Win. Hi-wall 38/55. Then in Alaska and Yukon with Mann-Schoen 7x57, However, fewer annimals in N. Am. are truely freight train dangerous. I would stick with PH advice in Africa, wherecI now reside. 375 + for DG. Or 9.3 for cats, where allowed.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I would not.

A great first shot is obviously important, but not always as effective as we need.

You need a rapid second or 3rd shot. When your PH says “Quickly, shot again, and another” will you be able to?

 

[grand veneur]

I would not use a single shot rifle for hunting big game, especially not if I were alone without a PH for backup. But if you have one with you, you can use a lot of various devices. Big game is sometime shot with bow and arrows, crossbow or muzzle loaders, all is also only possible with a PH or similar.

 

[BeeMaa]

Would I do it? No, it’s just not my passion.

However, I would fully support anyone who would like to as long as they have acquired the skills to do so. Hopefully they would be doing so with an experienced PH who’s able to provide proper advice on the shot.

Of course I’d want the same from a PH regardless of the weapon being used.

 

[grand veneur]

There are enough hunting areas and game species that can easily be hunted with a single shot rifle. Why does it have to be big game where it was already recognized in earlier times that there were more better rifles suitable for hunting big game that single shot rifles.

 

[MS 9x56]

Every hunter endeavors to kill with his first shot everytime. I am not willing to bet my life on it.

 

[rookhawk]

There are enough hunting areas and game species that can easily be hunted with a single shot rifle. Why does it have to be big game where it was already recognized in earlier times that there were more better rifles suitable for hunting big game that single shot rifles.

What do you mean by big game? If you mean dangerous game, I agree, bolt and doubles. If you mean big game as in deer and larger, that i disagree.

 

[Challer]

It’s a step above bow hunting or a spear.

 

[grand veneur]

What do you mean by big game? If you mean dangerous game, I agree, bolt and doubles. If you mean big game as in deer and larger, that i disagree.

I mean Big and Dangerous game of Africa or India. I would describe other big game species as Heavy Game. The bear is not a big game by definition, but it is also very dangerous. I would also think carefully about what kind of rifle I would use for his hunt. Otherwise, you can shot a lot of heavy game with a single shot rifle.

 

[Papa72]

Of course I would hunt DG with my newly acquired #1 in .450/.400 NE 3”. (That’s exactly what my line was to Mrs when I begged her outta the Botox money she got for Christmas).

 

[Philip Glass]

For DG I have become very comfortable with my double. I would not personally take a single shot on a DG hunt. Those that love them and are proficient with them will likely never have a problem however.

 

[Rafiki]

I admit using a single shot is not for everyone, for me yes as I do hunt Buffalo with a single shot. Mine is a Ruger No 1 chambered in 500 Sharps 2 1/2" (50-90 Sharps), hand loaded for purpose of course. Thus far it has taken 3 of the 4 buffalo (and 1 bison) I've taken, none requiring PH backup. The 4th was taken with a 375 Ruger RSM simply because I had it customized and hauled it to TZ for Buffalo otherwise I would have used the No 1 without qualms.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

If you’ve read my autobiography, I share two incidents where using a single shot firearm on man eating Royal Bengal tigers nearly got me killed.

If for some unforeseen reason, the expended shell fails to extract… then, all you’ve got in your hands is a very big stick.

The co author of my book recently bought a BSA Model XII in 12 gauge 3” Magnum. Very accurate hard hitter, but spent shells frequently fail to extract. He sent me this photo on Friday during a teal hunt.

 

[mark-hunter]

Would you hunt Cape buffalo, lion, or hippo on land with the Ruger #1 450/400 loaded to 400gr at 2300fps?

I would.
Ruger no1, is exception from my rule to use bolt action.
I was on a buffalo hunt where I was using bolt action, and my friend used Ruger no1. We took two buffalos, one each.
He was reloading the rifle, faster then I could cycle the bolt. (I do not exaggerate)
Besides, Ruger no 1, has this old fashion, strong reliability appeal. I would use it on buffalo without much problems.

 

[AZDAVE]

@Rafiki Who did your 50/90 #1. I have a old rolling block in 50/90 and a #1 would be a good addition.

 

[WAB]

I would definitely use a single shot for buffalo. My problem would be in finding the right single shot. IMO, Ruger number ones have a poor stock design and are typically too light in heavy calibers. Those that are heavy enough gain their weight through wall thickness instead of barrel length taking away the sleek appearance a single shot should have.

To me, a heavy caliber single shot should have a twenty six inch barrel of medium wall thickness, a well designed stock with a large butt, and a proper recoil pad. Ruger came oh so close.

 

[AZDAVE]

Year ago I had a 500NE built on a #1. Had it with a 26in octagon barrel and I restocked it with a heavier and thicker buttstock to try an make up for the short comings in the factory stock. It was still about 1 1/2 lbs to lite. So the recoil was sporty. Had someone offer me about twice the $$$ I had in it so it went down the road and I put the funds towards a double. The old english singles did a better job of getting the gun fit right in a single shot.