Tell Me About Single Shot Cartridge Rifles and Carbines

[Dave DeLaurant]

I really wish that they still produced the Ruger #3 carbine.
I owned a .45-70 example that is one of the many guns in my life that got sold.
These were great value for anyone wanting to emulate the single shot era or just to have a compact hunting rifle.
Great wood, great action, very handy.
I can still recall shooting 500 grain cast bullets cast from a now 100 year old tong tool mold at an indoor range.
What a blast (literally).
Sure rocked you back on your heels.

The kick of my No.3 in 45-70 is pretty civilized using my favorite load of a 300 grain cast round nose over a case full of Trail Boss. I brought a newbie to the range last year and he thought this load hurt considerably less out of my No.3 than 30-06 M2 in my M1 Garand.

 

[Offfhand]

One of the nicest of modern day American made single shot actions is the Miller. Rimed cartridges go best with falling block actions so I had this one built for .225 Win..

 

[H&Hhunter]

The falling block high wall is a wicked strong action. I’ve often though of having a C-Sharps 1885 in .405 Win as a saddle gun. A modern built falling block turns a .405 into an entirely different animal. I have a buddy who used to work at C Sharps and he’s told be about some of their destructive test numbers. I won’t repeat the numbers here but they are extremely high values.

 

[Iggy]

Rejuvenated Trapdoor 45-70 that my Grand Dad bought from Bannerman's at the turn of the last century, and left in the barn for 47 years.. I put in a new barrel and a sporter stock It became my favorite hunting rifle.

 

[DocRock]

I really wish that they still produced the Ruger #3 carbine.
I owned a .45-70 example that is one of the many guns in my life that got sold.
These were great value for anyone wanting to emulate the single shot era or just to have a compact hunting rifle.
Great wood, great action, very handy.
I can still recall shooting 500 grain cast bullets cast from a now 100 year old tong tool mold at an indoor range.
What a blast (literally).
Sure rocked you back on your heels.

I have one in 30-40. Great rifle. In the No. 3, 30-40 loads like 308 Win. Took it out elk hunting this year loaded 175 Berger VLDs to 2600 fps. Sadly, no elk this year. My one shot would have dropped the bull 200 yards down steep gravel scree into a creek. I thought better of it...

 

[1911 guy]

I went through a phase 20 years ago with single shot rifles. I still own one and thoroughly enjoy it. I find it relaxing. The routine of getting into position and making every shot exactly like the last one to get a small group is a great mental stress reliever for me. Shut out the rest of the world and poke holes in paper one at a time as far away as I can.

 

[Retreever]

Well, Marstar used to be the mecca for Martini-Henry stuff, and may still handle a few today. Check with them by email and ask what other single shots are available on the Canadian market -- nice folks: https://marstar.ca/

Pedersoli and Uberti are pretty popular up North -- Marstar carries quite a few, and Stoeger Canada markets the Ubertis: https://www.stoegercanada.ca/brands/a-uberti/

Looks like the Henry single shot is also available in Canada: https://macdonaldsportinggoods.com/products/henry-h015-single-shot-rifles

Thanks Dave, I have checked the Marstar web site previously but all they have are Pedersoli and Pietta copies and they are above my budget for now, same for the Uberti stuff via Stoeger. The Henry is in my price range but break action and I'd really rather have a rolling block or fall block rifle. Guess I'll just have to be patient and watch the used sales. Thanks again for being so helpful I appreciate it.

Regards, Retreever

 

[Nature Boy]

I shoot a single shot bolt action target rifle but I suspect that’s not what you’re talking about.

I will say that I’ve been thinking about the benefits of a single shot rifle in a hunting application.

The obvious limitation is the inability to execute a quick follow up shot if necessary, however, I can’t think of any others.

A big positive would not being limited to magazine length when working up a load for maximum accuracy. If you’re not a hand loader then this doesn’t matter

 

[SG1]

I've been looking at reproduction high walls for a while. Taylor's and company has a model with MSRP under a grand. I haven't been able to to tell why that model is cheaper than the rest. May only be offered in 45-70 though.

Edit: The model is 203B if you're interested.

 

[Retreever]

I've been looking at reproduction high walls for a while. Taylor's and company has a model with MSRP under a grand. I haven't been able to to tell why that model is cheaper than the rest. May only be offered in 45-70 though.

Edit: The model is 203B if you're interested.

Thanks SG1, unfortunately while I can get Taylor products I'm in Canada which mean about a 40% premium because of the exchange rate. I'm hoping I can find something decent used.

Retreever

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Two rifles I regret not buying when I had the chance were both single shots. One was a Ruger No. 1 in 30-06 & the other a beautiful Browning falling block rifle in 243 Win. Both were in great shape & the prices were right but at that time I wasn't interested in that kind of rifle. If only I knew then what I know now....

 

[Retreever]

Broke down and bought an H&R 1871 Buffalo Classic .45-70 this is a break action gun but I think it's a good entry level gun for a single shot rifle. Price was reasonable , approx. $360.00USD. Gun should arrive next week will post pics when I get it.

 

[Random 8]

Broke down and bought an H&R 1871 Buffalo Classic .45-70 this is a break action gun but I think it's a good entry level gun for a single shot rifle. Price was reasonable , approx. $360.00USD. Gun should arrive next week will post pics when I get it.

I would have been all over that for 360 USD! Congrats! Looking forward to pics and range report!

 

[Hookeye]

I too wanted a TCR, double trigger "Aristocrat".
Pops got a single trigger one.
The safety is horrendous.

No longer want one.

 

[mustanger98]

I don't see the point in a single shot Rolling Block in .45 Colt unless it's one of the short carbines based on the small action. Then it would be handy and fun.

The .45-70 version makes the most sense for a full length rifle since it is both a traditional and powerful cartridge for such.

I recall seeing old photos of Mexican rurales with Rolling Block carbines in .44-40... been a while since I looked for one on gunbroker, too. If you have a six-shooter or two, it might pay to have your carbine in the same chambering.

 

[mustanger98]

Broke down and bought an H&R 1871 Buffalo Classic .45-70 this is a break action gun but I think it's a good entry level gun for a single shot rifle. Price was reasonable , approx. $360.00USD. Gun should arrive next week will post pics when I get it.

Those are pretty nice rifles. Been a while since I shot one. IIRC, the handload was a 405gr Lazercast over 12grs Unique. Recoil was really mild... reminded me of my old muzzleloader.

That having been said, these rifles usually ship with a Williams Guide rear sight. That's a set-and-forget deal. If you want micrometer click adjustability, Williams also made... maybe still makes... the FP-TK to fit this model.

 

[Llama Bob]

I've got 1885s and Browning B78s in three cartridges:
.45-90 (will also shoot .45-70)
6.5 Creedmoor
6mm Remington

The .45-90 in it's current form recoils too much to use with nitro loads (even .45-70). It is decidedly unpleasant compared to my .416 Rigby for example. Stock work is definitely required.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is very fun and a great general purpose hunter - with a 28" barrel it comes very close to the various 6.5mm magnums and recoil is light.
The 6mm Remington I've just started working with but it's interesting and pleasant to shoot. It's intended as a dedicated varmint gun.

 

[Retreever]

Those are pretty nice rifles. Been a while since I shot one. IIRC, the handload was a 405gr Lazercast over 12grs Unique. Recoil was really mild... reminded me of my old muzzleloader.

That having been said, these rifles usually ship with a Williams Guide rear sight. That's a set-and-forget deal. If you want micrometer click adjustability, Williams also made... maybe still makes... the FP-TK to fit this model.

Thanks Mustanger98 appreciate the info on the handload and on the adjustable peep sight.

 

[Charlie98]

Taylor's sells an 1885 High Wall in 45-70 that looks sweet.

I've got a Pedersoli 1885 High Wall in .45-70... it is just a blast to shoot. I've had this particular rifle out to 700yds, but I'm confident I could make hits at 1200yds (the furthest I've shot.) This is with cast bullets traveling in the 1300-1500fps range. I have a tang mounted peep sight.

There are a number of versions of the High Wall... Browning and Winchester have or have had them, Uberti makes them, and the Pedersoli. I'm sure there are others. I suppose the classic single-shot would be the Sharps, but I prefer the High Wall.

Further... there is no reason you can't shoot any lever-action as a single-shot... I do it quite a bit. I have a Browning 71 in .348WCF that I shoot long range... I've made hits at 900yds (200grn cast bullet @ 2200fps, with peep sights,) loading each round individually. For that matter, and speaking of pistol cartridges... I shoot my Marlin 1894FG in .41 Magnum out to 600yds, although I don't typically single load that.

 

[mustanger98]

Thanks Mustanger98 appreciate the info on the handload and on the adjustable peep sight.

I hope it helps. Now, the handload... I knew a guy who used it in his Sharps on a buffalo-shaped Volkswagen-sized target at 1000yds. IIRC, he was using a vernier tang sight... one of the tall ones... that gives the 40MOA worth of elevation he said was necessary at 1000yds. The Williams FP-TK, I think from my own fooling with reciever sights, won't give you 40MOA, but it will be a pretty good rig for a good ways out.

 

[Hookeye]

Single shots.
Not a fan of break opens in rifle form.
They are a pain when shooting from prone or bench (w bipods).
Falling blocks are much nicer

 

[Hookeye]

Contenders are cool in handgun form though
Even so, I've gotten out of them.
Sold my last one this yr.

I'd like another Ruger #1 but am getting too cheap, er I mean practical, in my old age.

 

[Charlie98]

Here's the Williams receiver peep on my Browning 71... It's jacked up almost out of the stops, I had that set for 600yds if memory serves. For the 900yd target, I just put the front bead on TOP of the peep, and shot it that way.

 

[792mauser]

I love my single shot rifles.
Pedersoli and Emf sharps in 45-70
A few trapdoors
Browning BPCR 45-90
Buncha 22s
Rolling block in 7mm
Snider 577
And my 2 dearest old brutal martini-henry.
Patched .46 500 grain projo, 2 juice box cards, beeswax sandwiched between, 95gr goes and cotton fluff as a filler.

It'll rock the bejeezus outta ya.

And no honking way am I firing rifle loaded ammo outta my carbine again. Did it 2x (the second time was just to prove to myself that I didn't teleport into a boxing match by mistake).
Dang that carbine is BRUTAL when not using carbine ammo.

 

[jmorris]

I have a number of single shots, break open, bolt action, block actions and some that are not supposed to be single shots but are anyway.

The cons are slower follow up shots, the pros are making the first one being the only one needed.

For my “hunting” I don’t feel under gunned with one shot as I am only going to take one animal and if that’s the case I don’t pick a substandard round or load. A one and done situation.

For lots of varmints, I don’t use them as much.