Author Topic: I want a new single shot, which one ?? (Read 5158 times)

fox fire · « **on:** December 09, 2011, 04:42:32 PM »

I've had 2 of the handi's & one of the Balkai's, but really want a well made, accurate, dependable single shot.

Of course have been eyeball'n the encores, but naver been around any of the no 1's, what little I've read about the no 1's its a bit of a crap shoot when it comes to accuracy.

have been wunder'n about the E.Author Brown singles also but never had a chance to fondle one & have'nt read a whole lot about what ther realy about & how they compare to the others, but am still dig'n thru the threads to find out.

so...what say you ?? any input would be greatly appreciated, pics of trips to the range would be great also.

Enlighten me, thanx guys.

Flynmoose · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2011, 06:25:59 PM »

I have and like very much, G2s and Encores. I like the many caliber choices the two platforms offer. They have all proven to be accurate and downright fun to shoot. The G2 would offer many choices for rimfire and centerfire calibers. The Encore has rimfire barrels available but will accept barrels with much more power than the G2. I really like the 30-06 myself. I have looked at the EABCO rifles but they seem to be offered in mostly wildcat calibers, OK in you load your own ammo. It would be best to handle as many different rifles as you can to see what fits you best. ENJOY!
FM

StrawHat · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2011, 01:17:35 AM »

E A Brown makes great rifles if you want a whole rifle,

http://www.eabco.com/store/products/Standard_Model_97D_Rifle_DREAM_GUN_DISCOUNT-1835-0.html

He also makes upgrade barrels for a variety of single shot rifles of other makes.

Another one to consider is the Blazer single shot rifle

http://www.blaser-usa.com/K-95-Single-shot-Rifles.61.0.html

The Blazer is a purpose built single shot and well desined and executed.

Other options would be finding a used single shot on one of the sales sites.

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2011, 01:34:41 AM »

The #1s and #3s in .45-70 are tack drivers. I strongly dislike the Encores, I'd rather have a Handi Rifle. They are more attractive and more accurate.

kynardsj · « **Reply #4 on:** December 10, 2011, 01:41:24 AM »

Lots of good ones out there. I've had one or more of a lot of them at some time in my life. NEF's, Ruger #1's, Contenders and Encores. I've settled in now with stainless Encores. Love the look, versatility and the fact that I can change the looks of the rifle or the caliber if I take a notion. Also, once you find the right load, they shoot great. Good luck on your choice.

Ladobe · « **Reply #5 on:** December 10, 2011, 07:30:41 AM »

No mention of for what cartridge or purpose... but if cartridges like the 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250 Rem, 243 Win, 6mm Rem, 25-06, 260 Rem, 270 Win, 30-06, 7mm Rem Mag or 45-70 will fill the bill for your purposes... you might consider the Browning B-78's and 1885's. They are both excellent rifles, very accurate with tuned handloads, always reliable and simply beautiful. They come at a price, but are well worth every penny.

These two were used mostly for long to extreme range Belding ground squirrels and were pure death on them...

FWIW

Rangr44 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 10, 2011, 12:29:03 PM »

Those Browning LoWalls are sweet - I'd LOVE to have one in .243 ! !

.

woods · « **Reply #7 on:** December 10, 2011, 02:55:43 PM »

I have the 1885 highwall in 223, heavy gun to carry but you fall in love at first sight. With a rifle pushing 9 lbs it just lightly taps your shoulder. Excelent acuracy from the 28" octagon barrel.

woods

fox fire · « **Reply #8 on:** December 10, 2011, 03:30:32 PM »

I've wanted one of the Brownings since the first time I laid eyes on one, ther a beautiful gun but a little pricey, that be'n said I could go ther.

Whats the difference between a roll'n block vs fall'n block vs low/high wall (if any)?

fox fire · « **Reply #9 on:** December 10, 2011, 03:45:24 PM »

By chance any range pics show'n the accuracy of the brownings ??

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #10 on:** December 10, 2011, 03:51:46 PM »

Quote from: fox fire on December 10, 2011, 03:30:32 PM

I've wanted one of the Brownings since the first time I laid eyes on one, ther a beautiful gun but a little pricey, that be'n said I could go ther.

Whats the difference between a roll'n block vs fall'n block vs low/high wall (if any)?

Rolling block is the weakest of all the ones you mention. The action is a hing pin in the action.
Falling blocks are Ruger No.1, Sharps, winchester High / low wall. Stronger action as the block is in a rail system in the reciever and can handle more pressure.
The High and low walls refer to the caliber. The High wall was large case and the low wall was smaller cases. Uberti maks some nice falling and rolling blocks.
I have a No.3 Ruger in 45-70 and it is a great little brush rifle for any big game. A No1 in 300 H&H is on my whish list. I like the looks of the rifle.
I still would like to know what caliber or use you are thinking of using the rifle for.

Ladobe · « **Reply #11 on:** December 10, 2011, 11:30:36 PM »

mcwoodduck answered your strength question g'nuf.

But the standard Browning 1885's did not follow the larger case in HW's and smaller case in LW's exactly... the 28" octagon HW's came in small to larger case cartridges - the 24" octagon LW's in small and mid size case cartridges.

Their other 1885 (and B-78) models add more to the mix... the Traditional Hunter HW had a 30" octagon barrel for 30-30, 38-55 and 45-70 while the LW of this model 357MAG, 44MAG and 45Colt with half round-half octagon 24" barrels. Their BPCR models had half/half 30" & 34" barrels for 40-65, 45-70 and 45-90 black powder. And the B-78's had 24" & 26" round or octagon barrels for mid to large case cartridges.

There is a big difference in approximate weight between the 1885 HW/LW as well... the HW 8.75 and LW 6.25 pounds. So in use the HW was heavy by the time you put a scope and sling on it for carry (my last 22-250 over 11#), but the LW set up the same is quite pleasant to carry (my 22 Hornet was about 7.5#). These were a little higher weight because both wore fairly big target scopes for small targets at long ranges.

Accuracy? I always get a chuckle out of accuracy questions. The firearm itself is only a part of the equation... with many other factors that play a huge roll in consistent precision. To hit small you have to aim small, so the better the sights... A load tuned to the firearm is a must for consistant precision. Conditions are variable, but with lots of experience and knowing your firearms/loads ballistics you can get past reasonably poor conditions with any firearm. Nothing but a hellofalot of shooting time and lead down range makes a consistant trigger jockey. So accuracy will be dependant on each factor and will vary accordingly. But these rifles are very capable of getting the job done if the I's are dotted and the T's crossed.

I wasn't a paper shooter beyond sight in and load work, nor did I bother to take pictures of targets. But with quality scopes, tuned loads and very long experience shooting long range with these and many other firearms my B-78's and 1885's were pure death in the killing fields no matter what the game was. As a very serious ADC predator and long range varmint hunter since the 50's who shot 1,000's to 10,000's of rounds a year, what were ethical shots for me some folks might not feel comfortable shooting though.

martineta · « **Reply #12 on:** December 11, 2011, 12:35:48 AM »

I have encores, contenders, and a short 20" barre lRuger no. 1 RSI in 7x57. I like all of them but am planning on selling my encore 243 that shoots great and get another Ruger no. 1 in .243,,,, why,,,, because they are pretty. The ruger no. 1's I have been around all shoot great. As Ladobe said, you have to play around with different powders and bullet weights to find what the rifle wants.

StrawHat · « **Reply #13 on:** December 11, 2011, 12:57:57 AM »

Here is an Italian copy of the Remington Rolling Block.

Well made but heavy rifles, they were originally built to fire the straight walled black powder cartridges. Later adapted to smokeless and necked cartridges (7mm Mauser and others). from Remington there were several frame sizes but the Italians have only offered two sizes, one for the larger cartridges (45-70) and one for 30-30, 22 Hornet, 22 LR and such.

If weight is not a problem, the Rolling Block is a decent action from which to build a rifle. I have never found the strength of the action to be a problem like others but I no longer feel the need to hot rod my reloads or stretch the original ballistics.

The Falling block is found in the Winchester (Browning) Model 1885, B-78 or Ruger Single Shot. Knowing your intended use of the rifle would help us recommend an action.

Swampman · « **Reply #14 on:** December 11, 2011, 03:19:08 AM »

The new Lipseys .45-70s with the 26" barrels will shoot 1/2 MOA or better (as will any black pad #1) and they don't look cheap. That plastic finish that Jap Brownings have on the wood isn't pretty.

fox fire · « **Reply #15 on:** December 11, 2011, 04:32:29 AM »

Sorry about forget'n to post anything on which caliber, if I hunt it'll be deer or coyote, so anything from .223, .22-250, .243, 30-06, it'll mostly amount to a toy, but aint they all.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #16 on:** December 13, 2011, 04:13:09 PM »

If you want something a bit fancy or more expensive there are several good choices out there, however if what you want is "a well made, accurate, dependable single shot" you don't have to look any further than the H&R/NEF's that you already have....<><....

Mad Dog · « **Reply #17 on:** December 15, 2011, 04:18:18 AM »

I have 2 ruger no.1s and a CVA Scout. I like all of them. The scout is a 44 mag., I use here in Indiana to deer hunt. One ruger is a 375 H&H mag. I used it in Zimbabwe to shoot a tuskless elephant and a cape buffalo. The 30-06 is going to get worked up for Texas hogs and Wyoming antelope.

Guess it just depends on how much you want to spend, and what you want to use it for. For a utilitarian working man's gun, I really like the CVA Scout, and it comes in several different calibers.

Mad Dog

Swampman · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2011, 04:33:33 AM »

I would avoid anything made in a foreign country.

Ladobe · « **Reply #19 on:** December 15, 2011, 06:49:16 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on December 15, 2011, 04:33:33 AM

I would avoid anything made in a foreign country.

Many of the best made, most reliable and highest quality firearms ARE made in foreign countries, and are far better than any firearm made in America.

Swampman · « **Reply #20 on:** December 15, 2011, 07:27:25 AM »

Having shot and owned nearly all of them, I'm not sure which brands that would be. Most are unremarkable at best, and dangerous at worst.

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 15, 2011, 07:52:44 AM »

Quote from: Ladobe on December 15, 2011, 06:49:16 AM

Quote from: Swampman on December 15, 2011, 04:33:33 AM
I would avoid anything made in a foreign country.

Many of the best made, most reliable and highest quality firearms ARE made in foreign countries, and are far better than any firearm made in America.

care to show me a foreign made Sharps better than a Shiloh or a C. Sharps? Or give some examples of single shots you consider better than any made in America?

Swampman · « **Reply #22 on:** December 15, 2011, 11:32:04 AM »

The Pedersoli Sharps will out shoot the American made Sharps but it isn't better. I really dislike the Jap made Brownings and Winchesters but I just can't stand recent Browning anything.

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 15, 2011, 01:32:11 PM »

Swamp, you really think a Pedersoli is more accurate than a Shiloh? That surprises me....and runs contrary to my experience.

Swampman · « **Reply #24 on:** December 15, 2011, 01:37:07 PM »

The Pedersoli rifles I've shot have been more accurate than the Shilohs I've shot. I want a Shiloh and I may buy one but it's annoying that they aren't remarkably accurate for the price they charge. I want the Business Rifle with a 28" barrel.

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 15, 2011, 01:57:14 PM »

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but what loads were you shooting? I think one if the guys told me his Shiloh shoots best with 450 gr plus loads. I've never shot anything out of them but 480+. I've shot 4 Shilohs (or C. Sharps) and I think 6 Pedersolis and found accuracy far better in the Shiloh's

Swampman · « **Reply #26 on:** December 15, 2011, 02:02:51 PM »

I mostly shoot 405s over blackpowder or IMR-4198. All the local shooters discourage me from getting a Shiloh but I may still buy one. I want it for plinking and hunting.

Dalgo · « **Reply #27 on:** December 15, 2011, 06:27:44 PM »

"Guess it just depends on how much you want to spend, and what you want to use it for. " Mad Dog

"Many of the best made, most reliable and highest quality firearms ARE made in foreign countries, and are far better than any firearm made in America." Ladobe

Kriegoff Ubertus, Merkel K-1, Blaser K-95. Here are examples of superb singleshots that are foreign made. Dakota, Shiloh, C-Sharps Arms, Ballard, Meacham, Lone Star are examples of great American made firearms. All are superbly made foreign and American arms. Choices are great. How much do you want to spend and what do you want to use it for? Just remember, you get what you pay for when it comes to quality.

Swampman · « **Reply #28 on:** December 15, 2011, 11:32:33 PM »

Lone Star may be out of the picture. The owner died while pulling his rifle from the truck yesterday. It discharged and killed him.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #29 on:** December 16, 2011, 12:31:25 AM »

I'm really interested in the EA Brown rifles. Having only seen them online, I'm curious to hear from anybody who has handled or shot one.

Encores seem to be pretty popular today. The combination sets with a centerfire barrel and a muzzle loader barrel do make for a useful rig. I like the Contenders a little better myself. I little leaner, and I have an older one with the EDMed 'engraving'. Kind of nice.

If you already have a handi or two, no point in discussing them much. If you wanted another you'd be getting it already. IMO they are a great value.

I have been looking into a non break action single for a while myself. One thing I've come across a few times from a few sources is the inconsistency of the Ubertis. If you decide to get an Itallian gun it's best to buy one you can handle and inspect first rather than an internet purchase.

Personally, I wish Savage/Stevens would bring back their 44 1/2. I don't understand why American companies have more or less completely sceded the western rifle market to foreign makers. Marlin makes a cowboy carbine, but Mossberg doesn't. Puma/Rossi owns the entry level of that type of gun with Uberti taking it from there up the price chain. If you want a single shot for cowboy action shooting, you kind of have to buy Itallian or handmade. If Stevens upscaled their 'favorite' for revolver rounds and rifles from 30-30 to 45-70 and reintroduced it as a revived 44 1/2 they would be nearly alone in that end of the market and American made. They would even have the advantage of being the original manufacturer of a gun with real history. Mossberg could sell all the revolver cartridge lever guns they could make, taking Braztech's cake right off their plate. But I digress.