NO free lunch

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Well, ... after all of my weeping and wailing about everything from problems with my 308Win Remington SPR18 Baikal to the high price of Ruger #1s,
       ...             ...          I have re-discovered that ancient fundamental principal:

                                                           There is no free lunch.                                  

You do not always get what you pay for; ... but ... you will certainly pay for what you do get.
                                                                                                           

After researching prices on Ruger #1s, Martinis, BSA Internationals, Merkels, etc., etc..; ...

I have decided to quit whining and get to work on my 308Win Remington SPR18 Baikal.

                                                                                                   

It ain't perfect, ... but it can be improved into a pretty dog gone competent hunting rifle ... at a very reasonable price.

                                                                                                                 

Would I recommend this to anyone else?

If they just won the lotto: ... absolutely not; ... go buy a brace of Merkels, a handful of BSA Martini Internationals, and a truckload of Ruger #1s !

If not, and they are on a budget:  ***  In a heartbeat ! ! !  ***

And frankly, ... I also have a new found appreciation for H&Rs and NEFs ....


The man with a single shot will ... and probably can ... make the first ... and ... every ... shot count !


 

[kombi1976]

Yep, if you have one shot in a hot minute you will make it count or learn to.
For the record Martinis are relatively cheap pieces of kit here in Oz althought the Baikal/Remington break opens are good items.
A mate has one in 7.62x39 and loves it.
I'd like one in 7x57R.
They list them on Baikal's website but I don't think that cal will ever see the light of day in Australia. 

[DEACONLLB]

There are a lot of single shots out there and your pocket book set the price for what you can pay for one. I have looked at the SPR 18 but could not get use to that twisted looking barrel but almost bought one a couple of times at gun shows new in box 225.00 US out the door. I have a couple of number ones but money wise I like the Mossberg SSI one which I have a couple of ,223 and 06. just wish they had never dropped it but there is a very limited market when it comes to single shot rifles. So we buy what we can afford and make it work and each one of us has a wish list and maybe some day that wish will come true My wish is a nice number 1 in 7x57 really dont know why as I have a TCR 87 7mm rem mag which I load to 7x57 specs and a encore 7mm08 which is same spec. as 7x57 but then it don't say 7x57 on the barrel oh well maybe next gun show it will be there at my price.

Deaconllb

oh
goday mate

Maybe one of these days I can afford a real bush hat from down under. I served with some Aussies in Korea in 1952 but there was no way they would part with that hat something else I really dont need.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Part of my heartburn with my 308Win Remington SPR18 Baikal ...

is that I really wanted a 270Win, a 25-06, ... or even a 243Win, ...

Ruger #1 !

Not even sure why, but, in a single shot, 308Win just does not appeal to me.

If my Remington SPR18 Baikal were in 270Win, or 243Win, I could probably excite me.

Oh, well.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Dang keyboard  ...and old eyes:
                                                       
"I could probably excite me"
should read:
it could probably excite me.         

                                        

[kombi1976]

Why didn't you buy an H&R, then?
But hey, you have the Baikal, vive la difference. 
It's a different cal but it's just as capable IMO.
Try loading it with 130gr projectiles.
It'll be a great rifle.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

How about a compromise:          

I will keep the 308Win Remington SPR18 Baikal;         

get back into handloading;          
[sold all of my reloading gear on the way to Gulf War I ... that is the weak link in all of this]

and,

buy a H&R ! ! !                              

OK.         

Now, what caliber:  270Win,  25-06,  243win,  22-250,  204 Ruger ...  ? ? ?                       

[kombi1976]

7mm-08 perhaps or 280 Rem? 

[dougk]

Now, what caliber:  270Win,  25-06,  243win,  22-250,  204 Ruger ... 

What are you going to be doing with it?

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Primarily:
plinking, target, and varmint / predator / small game. 

Since I will keep the 308Win Remington SPR18 Baikal;
it [the new rifle] would be used mostly for shooting things too small for the 308Win.

Some overlap [270Win, 25-06, 243Win] is ok, ...         
but should not be at the expense of the primary [22-250, 223, 204 Ruger] purpose.

The 243Win would "share" the same brass with the 308Win;     
not sure if that is a good thing      

Since I will also [probably / hopefully] have the obligatory 5.56 / 223 [near moa] "sporting rifle";   
[maybe even a SIG 516 or SIG 556]                 
not sure if another 22cf is "necessary" ? ? ?                     

[dougk]

Primarily:
plinking, target, and varmint / predator / small game. 

Since I will keep the 308Win Remington SPR18 Baikal;
it [the new rifle] would be used mostly for shooting things too small for the 308Win.

243 or 222 would be my vote    I know the 222 was not on the list.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Thanks.   

Would 243 be too big for coyotes ... in east Texas  ... shorter ranges?   
Out west, ... at   long   ranges, ...  even a 270 might be ok.     

Have been out of reloading ... way too long.             
How heavy do you have to go in .243 to get good ballistic coefficients?
How heavy do you have to go in .22 to get good [equivalent] ballistic coefficients?


Don't remember much about 222.     
Seems to me that the old timers liked it better than 223 for varmints, or reloading, or   
How does it compare with 223 these days?

The 243Win would "share" the same brass with the 308Win;
... is that an advantage ...     
or, ... a problem ?
Back in the "old days", seems to me that they were fireforming / necking down .243 from more readily available [cheaper] 308 brass.