Single Shot vs. Bolt Action

[huntnfool]

I am considering purchasing either a 7mm-08 or a 25-06 for general hunting and target shooting.

I have never owned a single shot but own a bolt action.

In your opinion, what are the advantages/disadvantages of either?

Your input would be greatly appreciated


Thanks,

Paul

 

[JD338]

I am a bolt fan, and own several M700 Remingtons. Accuracy is excellent and I have the ability to deliver additional shots quickly.

As for single shots, there are several manufactures out there. The low cost Handi rifles, New England etc would not be my idea of an accurate single shot. Thompson Center offers their Encore, advantage being interchangable barrels.
IMHO, Ruger No 1 is an excellent single shot rifle. Very solid, accurate and elegant all in one package. If I were to go with a single shot, a Ruger No. 1 would be my pick, most likely in a 25-06.

JD338

 

[6mm Remington]

Ruger No 1 is an excellent single shot rifle. Very solid, accurate and elegant all in one package. If I were to go with a single shot, a Ruger No. 1 would be my pick, most likely in a 25-06.

JD338

JD338 is right on. :shock: :lol: I also would go with the 25-06 if choosing between the two choices you have narrowed it down to. I have always liked the look and elegance of the Ruger #1 and what it means to hunt with a single-shot. I feel it makes you a better hunter because YOU KNOW that first shot had better be a good one. They are very very classy looking, carry nice, and are a dream to shoot. One thing that is nice over a bolt rifle as well is the fact that you don't have to worry about your magazine length being the limiting factor to how far out you seat your bullets. Your SINGLE-SHOT will dictate this by its throat length and at what depth it needs the bullets seated to shoot those little groups we all like :!:

I hunt with both a bolt rifle (Remington 700) and my (2)-TWO Ruger #1B's. The Remington happens to be my wifes rifle, so I don't use it much. I sold my Remington MTN Rifle in .280 Remington a couple years ago thinking I would replace it soon. Right now I have a 30-06 and a 6mm Remington in the #1B. I love them and do not feel handicapped in the least shooting one! That's all I have hunted coyotes, antelope, deer, and elk with this year and nothing else. I think you would like the Ruger. I know Browning or Winchester used to make a single-shot, but I do not know if they still do. It also was a nice looking rifle. Not in my opinion as nice as the Ruger, but a very attractive rifle.

Mine are blued and walnut. They make the #!B in stainless with a laminate stock and that would be my choice now. I like the laminates for their strength and stability. You won't be sorry for hunting with one. They are fun!

Good luck.
David.

 

[YoteSmoker]

As for calibers, it's more up to personal preference and expected hunting situations than anything else. The 25-06 is better suited for deer sized game down to groundhog size game and both of them way out there. The 7mm08 is an awesome mid-range caliber that can push a bigger bullet with low recoil and can be stretched for elk sized game but not as well suited on smaller than deer sized game as the 25-06, however, neither would be a good choice with pelts in mind.

If you are are think you might ever want to get into muzzleloading, I would go with the TC Encore. Ruger #1s are pretty but not nearly as versitile as the Encore. If you purchase the frame designated as a long gun, you can make it a muzzleloader, centerfire rifle, rimfire rifle, and shotgun. If you purchase the frame designated legal for pistol, you can make it any configuration you want it to be, granted the rifle stock could only be used for barrels 16.25" or longer per federal regulations. I really, really like my encore! I used it this past monday to hunt coyotes with the 22 hornet and had my scoped and dialed in @ 250 yards 22-250 barrel and a screwdriver along for longer range hunting. My girlfriend will use it in a 20 gauge configuration for spring turkeys and come fall I'll hunt deer and elk with it as a muzzleloader and if I strike out, can use the same rifle in 7mm08 configuration come rifle season. Can't do that with one Ruger!

 

[Greg Nolan]

IMO
A single shot rifle is either a cheap or first gun for a youngster or a masterpiece for the shooter that appreciates beauty and the challange of a fine single shot like a Ruger #1 or Shilo Sharps. It depends on your need. I have a Ruger and a H&R but they aren't used as much as my bolt actions. If they were I'd probably be a lot better shot :wink: . If Texas whitetail is your game or the occasional hog either caliber mentioned will work just fine.
Greg

 

[6mm Remington]

After shooting one for a while, you can get pretty darn fast on a reload with a single shot too! It really isn't much of a handicap in that respect either. ON the lower right side of my pack belt I have a 10 round cartridge holder that after I fire a shot, I unsnap and pluck a round out and have it in ready to go pretty darn fast. They also make the cartidge holders that stretch tight over the butt-stock and those would be quick to access too. It's slower than bolt, but not a as much as you might think.

I am a big bolt fan myself as well so I don't really feel I'm predjudice in the opinion I have given. It's hard to look at a rifle in a store rack and try and decide wtihout having the ability to shoot one and try it out like you would a car. Look at several though and see what looks and feels right for you.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Guy Miner]

You know you want a Ruger Number One... :grin:

Most of my center-fire rifle shooting and hunting is with a bolt action, and will likely continue to be... BUT, I really like a good single-shot. They look great, carry well, and are generally both accurate & reliable.

My 7mm mag is having a persistent issue with poor extraction, but this particular rifle seems to be unique in this ailment... Grrrrr....

The obvious things - well the single shot is shorter and handier by a couple of inches, given the same barrel length. It is however, a single shot... Doh! :grin: A good rifleman with a good bolt rifle can fire fast, accurate repeat shots rather well, it's quite a bit slower with the single shot.

No big deal though - I hunted for several years with a muzzle loader, and the Number One is vastly quicker to reload than was the muzzle loader!

Both are good. Buy the one that makes you happy. Heck, buy a couple of each.

Regards, Guy

 

[6mm Remington]

You know you want a Ruger Number One...Regards, Guy

I have to go with guy, buy two! :grin:

 

[JDMAG]

I think Guy Said it best!
And Greg might be loosing one of those #1's. I would go with the 7MM-08.if you can find one in a #1.

 

[Desert Fox]

All my single shot are bolt action with the exception of my T.C contender pistol. I like single shot because they're more rigid and stronger than the repeaters.

 

[JD338]

Guy,

Those are some fine looking No 1's!

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

Thanks! The one with the really outstanding wood in the butt stock and the price tag still attached is a .458 Win mag, and still for sale at the local dealer. I just couldn't justify it...

 

[JD338]

Thanks! The one with the really outstanding wood in the butt stock and the price tag still attached is a .458 Win mag, and still for sale at the local dealer. I just couldn't justify it...

Guy,

ITS EASY TO JUSTIFY! get the 458 Win and plana speed goat hunt with Pop. :lol: :lol:

It sure has a beautiful stock.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

I have both bolts and #1's. I adore my #1's!


25-06 1B

204 Ruger 1V

458 Lott 1H

 

[Larry in SD]

I hunted this past season with a T/C Encore .30-06. With a 24" Barrel it's overall length was 38 1/2" making a nice compact package. I didn't feel handicapped at all in hunting with the Single Shot T/C Encore but then I have hunted with Single Shot T/C Contender Handguns since 1982.

No the Encores are not as elegant as a Ruger #1, never will be. Heck I'd be afraid to hunt with one of those beautiful #1's for fear of putting a ding in them.

However I have always wanted a Ruger #1 and will have one some day.

Larry

 

[xphunter]

I do almost all of my hunting and all of my LR shooting with a single-shot.
I do not hunt dangerous game though.

 

[cloverleaf]

I knew Guy would get a picture of the pretty number one in here.... :lol: They are just the classiest, coolest looking rifle. Could I afford it I'd have one too! Im kinda surprised the vote goes with the 25-06. How come? Ive got a .25 cal and a 7mm-08. Bullet options seem a little in favor of the 7mm. Why then the votes for 25-06? CL

 

[REDGREEN]

Get the #1. You'll love it! I know that I do.

 

[Coyote Hunter]

Ruger #1's...


Drool...

 

[bobbyrum]

I have owned my Ruger #1 for close to 35 years. Originally chambered in 7mm Rem. Mag. The only bullet I ever put through it was the 160 NP, IMHO the best bullet weight in the 7 mags. I have taken whitetail, mule deer, pronghorn, black bear & caribou. I had it rebarrelled with a stainless 27 3/4 in. bbl. in 7mm RUM & now use the 160 AB. If I do it right I can keep it under an inch at 100 yds. I made the change for the fun of it & I love it. I really don't find that it beats the heck out of me either. Because there is no magazine restrictions as to COL I can customize the cartridge to full advantage, and it does have a beautiful piece of wood on it. The only other change I made to it was to put a new recoil pad on it. The other was getting old & dried out. If you get a #1 you will love it. :grin: