Ruger single shot drill

[Guy Miner]

I've only hunted a bit with Ruger single shots - it's a neat falling-block action. Most of my practice sessions involved using a little cartidge carrier in the left breast pocket of my canvas hunting shirt. This worked real well on the range. I'd shoot, pop the action open with my right hand, reach across my chest for a new cartridge, put it in the chamber and close the rifle up. Only takes a couple of seconds. I had that drill down pretty well.

On the first afternoon of our bear hunt, temps climbed up over 80 degrees and I took that shirt off, going down to just my t-shirt. The cartridges and their carrier got stuffed in a pocket in my jeans.

I shot my son's bear once, and needed to reload. Automatically reached for the shirt pocket - that wasn't there - flailed about for a moment trying to figure out which jeans pocket I'd stuffed the cartridges into. Got the Ruger reloaded and did plant a second, and likely unnecessary shot into the bear.

The next day I had my canvas shirt back on, with the cartridges right where they belong. I shot my bear, and within a couple of seconds had a fresh cartridge in the rifle.

Lesson learned. Keep those cartridges where I'm used to having them. A fumbled reload could result in game escaping, or in getting trampled or eaten!

 

[onesonek]

I make a wrist band to carry spare rounds for use with my single shots. I have made them from 2 -5 rounds. I have also wrapped them around the barrel and forend. Either way keeps them right handy. I also in certain situations, when I want to place two rounds in the animal no matter what, I keep a second round between the fingers of my offhand.

Dave

 

[JD338]

Guy,

A wrist band cartridge carries with be the way to go. I have also seen big bore hunters in Africa have 2 fresh rounds places between their fingers of the off hand when shooting double bore rifles.

Congratulations again to you and your son!

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Guy, just read your story! I have had the same thing happen when switching around speed reload pouch locations. Takes a little bit of time to build the muscle memory back up! Sounds like it worked out well for you though! Great shooting. Scotty

 

[6mm Remington]

Guy I've had good luck with one of the belt cartridge cases that holds ten rounds that is always on my right front side. I open the action with my right hand and reach down and open the cartridge case and extract a round from there. I then put it in the chamber with the same hand, close it up, and I'm ready to go. I've also carried an extra in my right front pants pocket in addition to to the carrier. They both have worked out well for me. It really isn't too slow with a #1 Ruger is it! Great job on the bears again!!

 

[Greg Nolan]

I'm not as quick to remember when I'm EXCITED so I put my carry rounds in the butler creek Alaskan slings on all my rifles. They carry 4 rounds. I use the 10 round slide for extras in my fanny pack. I've been to the fire drill when we see an animal when we don't expect to and everyone grabs a gun but cant find or get to the bullets. If I have my rifle I have at least four rounds quick at hand no matter what.
Greg

 

[JDMAG]

Guy, I haven't had to make a quick follow up shot with my number 1 yet. but I use one of those shell holders that slide over on the stock on all of my rifles. bolt, auto, and single shot. That way, what ever I am shooting, it is in the same place every time.
I will be needing a new one of those next month cause I am acquireing a new #1 from Greg. :grin:

 

[bullet]

I liked my Ruger # 1 in 300Wby and never had a problem loading quickly. I miss that rifle from time to time.