A Challenge for Those Who Are Interested: Single-shot Speed Shooting

[TheAzn]

It has been stated in this forum and other sites that- with training - a person can reload and fire a single shot rifle almost as fast as a semi-auto. I became curious and decided to do research and watch videos online.

It seems that the fastest time for a person to finish reloading a single shot is at least 2 to 3 seconds, critically slower than a bolt-action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPSiMlrnAnM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhgwHQCJwWw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txB6Ul8mMd4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkB9xiujh-Q

Meanwhile, a bolt action is faster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiajgOeKOKU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFYZHLuxXZ8

Can you guys go any faster with a single shot? If you can, is it possible for you upload your performance to Youtube?

Thank you

 

[9mmepiphany]

A couple of things to note in your videos is that you really are comparing apple vs. oranges...because the clips weren't attempting the same thing

The fastest single shot reload was Clint Smith...but he was slowed down so that he could describe it when he was doing it. The guys shooting at the 3 targets had no speed technique at all.

The guys with the bolt action had 3 things that were very different
1. They were using an Enfield, which is the fastest bolt action to operate
2. They weren't re-establishing a firing grip on the buttstock with their strong hand
3. They weren't trying to hit a target

Likely the fastest shotgun shooter who reload quickly and try to hit targets are Cowboy Action shooters. Take a look at this video (at the 6 min point) for speed and accuracy...granted he is reloading a double barrel (which should be slower) and he lacks ejectors (which is slower still).

I would say you won't find a clip of someone shooting a bolt-action M700 or M70 measurably faster...or even a .22lr

 

[TheAzn]

Hi 9mmEpiphany, I guess I should been more clear in my OP. The reason why I compared single shots with Lee-Enfields is because I am ultimately trying to compare single-shots with semi-autos, to see if the claims are true.
If a single-shot user can fire as fast as the Lee-Enfield users - who are just a tad bit slower than semi-auto users - then it can be reasonably stated that the single-shot user can fire almost as quickly as users of semi-autos. While it is true that the Lee-Enfield users weren't aiming at particularly anything, those single-shot users were aiming at very close targets. It's true that the single-shot users kept on re-establishing firing grip after each shot, and this is why I want see if there are faster single-shot techniques out there.

Thank you for posting those two great videos. Now I can truly believe that a person, with a proper technique, can shoot a single-shot rifle almost as fast as a semi-auto.

 

[45_auto]

Now I can truly believe that a person, with a proper technique, can shoot a single-shot rifle almost as fast as a semi-auto.

I suppose so, depending on your definition of "almost".

 

[RX-178]

The idea that people with the proper practice can shoot a single shot as fast as semi auto is actually true, at least IMO, but only with two significant conditions applied.

1: Misses don't count, only hits.
2: The amount of rounds fired between the two weapons exceeds the amount that is contained in the semi-automatic firearm's magazine, necessitating one or more reloads.

 

[tuj]

While not single shot, biathlon rifles have a straight-pull bolt action and are much faster to shoot than a conventional bolt-action.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Especially once you learn to operate the both by flicking it back-and-forth with your fingers

 

[gondorian]

It's not really as fast. It may be just as effective against unarmed confined targets, but it isn't as fast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVGPEgRZwIw&list=UUs5iRZoqlgf2YPtvjHfDdXw&index=32

 

[Win73]

I shoot a single shot .30-06. I don't claim to be nearly as fast as a semi-auto because you can just squeeze a trigger pretty fast. However with the butt stock shell carrier on it, I can reload and fire at a target almost as fast as a typical bolt action.

BTW, I have never had to take a second shot.

 

[1911 guy]

When I was a kid and a bolt action .22 and single shot 20 guage were the entirety of my collection, I regularly shot report doubles with the shotgun.

While any type of repeater would have been faster, there still remains the question of how fast is fast enough? If it's something you might need suppressive fire, you definately need a semi-auto. If, however, aimed fire is the only need or goal, a single shot will probably be enough.

Keep in mind, though, that a break top rifle or shotgun will always be faster than a bolt single shot.