The anti-AR/AK - single shot rifles

[DMW1116]

Like the Ruger falling block. Don't see much difference in follow up shot speed between it and a bolt gun and its a lot tighter package to lug and shoot even with a 24" barrel. Don't think I've used more that two follow up shots in the 40yrs I've used it though for deer hunting.

With the cost of ammo today and the way things are, I can understand why people have big count mags but can't understand why they shoot them. Almost every time I've seen someone use one at the range they are just wasting ammo and don't appear to care if they hit the target or not.

I agree. I’m not complaining too much since I collect their brass but a few people seem completely happy with 12” groups from their AR at my local range, and the range requires seated shooting.

 

[ECVMatt]

I am an accuracy nut and do everything I can do make every shot count. I also enjoy shooting semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and handguns. I see no reason why one has to be mutually exclusive of the other.

I also don't think that folks who shoot single-shot firearms assume a morally higher position or are more proficient than someone who enjoys shooting repeating arms.

In fact I know lots of folks that bought HR/NEF Handi-rifles at Wal-Mart when they were cheap and blasted away at anything that moved in the woods with little to no effect, assuming they were riflemen simply by the fact they owned a rifle.

I think it is more important than ever for shooters to look for common bonds in our sport rather than to actively look for ways we are different.

 

[Hookeye]

I don't care for the TCR safety system.
May want to investigate it before purchase.
Its funky.

 

[Hookeye]

I love single shot rifles and if I had to sell everything and keep the one I love most, I might well end up with the .54 flintlock muzzleloader.

That said I did a mag dump with a friend’s FAL yesterday and it was pretty sweet. May need to add one of those to the arsenal.

They are fun.
$20 worth of ammo per mag.
And they don't last long LOL

 

[mavracer]

I agree. I’m not complaining too much since I collect their brass but a few people seem completely happy with 12” groups from their AR at my local range, and the range requires seated shooting.

I understand this is a bash AR/AK praise the Holy single shot thread but I sold both Ruger #3 even after sending it in to be rebarreled by Ruger for poor accuracy. It wouldn't shoot any better than the mini 14 I have.

 

[Robert]

While I would absolutely love a Sharps type rifle is something absolutely ridiculous like 45-2 7/8, I'm not giving up my ARs or my FAL. Everything has a place.

 

[HKGuns]

While proponents of the autoloaders are buying larger and larger magazines and practicing changing them, those of us who like single shots are learning how to make that one round count.

If you think my one shot from a 30 round mag will be any less accurate than yours, you are sadly mistaken. In a free country, people are free to buy and shoot as they please.

You are clearly part of the problem.

 

[OS/N]

AR15s are fine and well suited to the purpose they were designed. They are also fun to shoot and fairly accurate with optimized ammo.

They are not however a 30-06 or even a 30-30 for that matter and I think anyone using one inside the home for defense would be better served with a shotgun, handgun, or PCC.

Nothing wrong with owning or shooting one. I don't think they are the end all be all firearm that some make them out to be is all.

 

[Robert]

I think anyone using one inside the home for defense would be better served with a shotgun, handgun, or PCC.

This has been demonstrated to not be true many, many times. With appropriate ammo they are perfectly fine for personal in home defense.

 

[Robert]

While proponents of the autoloaders are buying larger and larger magazines and practicing changing them, those of us who like single shots are learning how to make that one round count.

I make all 20, or 30 count just as much as the one round from my bolt gun.

 

[DMW1116]

Whether cartridge or muzzle loader, the single shot weapon is the antithesis of the currently popular autoloading rifle. While proponents of the autoloaders are buying larger and larger magazines and practicing changing them, those of us who like single shots are learning how to make that one round count.

That makes a lot of assumptions about AR owners/shooters.

 

[CraigC]

That makes a lot of assumptions about AR owners/shooters.

I think everyone gets judged by the annoying mag dumpers that don't hit anything.

 

[mavracer]

This has been demonstrated to not be true many, many times. With appropriate ammo they are perfectly fine for personal in home defense.

Don't let facts get in the way of feelings.

 

[wesmonster]

Used to own a Handi rifle in 22-250, great rifle that gave me an appreciation for breech load single shots.
Simple light weight action with few moving parts, and the short receiver allows for long barrels with shorter overall length.

Been tempted to buy another breech load single shot but just have a hard time justifying one at today's prices. The old Handi rifles were well made but to me they're priced at more than what I'm willing to pay. At least I have a few breech load & drop block rimfire rifles and an Iver Johnson 12ga single shotty.

I also miss my Dad's old Savage .22/.410 over/under, great squirrel gun. Came close to buying the new version but just not in the same league. And a Henry single shot is cheaper.

I do occasionally see a CVA at a good price. I should look closer at one of those.

 

[someguy2800]

Used to own a Handi rifle in 22-250, great rifle that gave me an appreciation for breech load single shots.
Simple light weight action with few moving parts, and the short receiver allows for long barrels with shorter overall length.

Been tempted to buy another breech load single shot but just have a hard time justifying one at today's prices. The old Handi rifles were well made but to me they're priced at more than what I'm willing to pay. At least I have a few breech load & drop block rimfire rifles and an Iver Johnson 12ga single shotty.

I also miss my Dad's old Savage .22/.410 over/under, great squirrel gun. Came close to buying the new version but just not in the same league. And a Henry single shot is cheaper.

I do occasionally see a CVA at a good price. I should look closer at one of those.

The CVA scouts are nicely made rifles. They have all the craftsmanship of a harbor freight adjustable wrench, but they are accurate and well made and have a nice trigger. They are the savage axis of single shots.

 

[drobs]

 

[d2wing]

Single shots do have a place. This is mine.

 

[BreechFace]

I wouldn’t mind a Ruger No. 1 in 35 Whelen.

 

[benEzra]

They are not however a 30-06 or even a 30-30 for that matter

In terms of accuracy (the subject of this thread), the typical .30-30 will be less accurate than a typical modern AR with a floated barrel and optic, all else being equal. Not to bash .30-30 at all, because it is a great hunting cartridge, but it is not renowned as a precision/target round.

and I think anyone using one inside the home for defense would be better served with a shotgun, handgun, or PCC.

Why? .223 from a 16” unbraked barrel is no louder than full-house 12-gauge buckshot from an 18” barrel or a .40/.357, and non-bonded-core 55gr JHP or light SP is demonstrably less penetrative in building materials than heavy buckshot or non-frangible handgun rounds.

Now, I wouldn’t want to shoot a braked 14.5” or shorter .223 indoors, but even that is probably no louder than a .357 revolver, and plenty of .357’s serve in the home-defense role.

 

[CraigC]

In terms of accuracy (the subject of this thread), the typical .30-30 will be less accurate than a typical modern AR with a floated barrel and optic, all else being equal. Not to bash .30-30 at all, because it is a great hunting cartridge, but it is not renowned as a precision/target round.

That's probably more due to the typical rifles that chamber it and the way they are used than anything inherent to the cartridge.

 

[doubleh]

Tell us more…

Probably half of the deer I’ve taken over the last 35 years have been with a single shot muzzle loader. It’s not the limitation some people make it out to be.

I have been a fan of the Contender and even the Encore break action rifles for years. One Handi-Rifle cured me of ever spending money on another shotgun action turned into a rifle. I suppose not all are bad but mine was worthless. Although I only have two, the Ruger falling block is my favorite.

 

[someguy2800]

I have been a fan of the Contender and even the Encore break action rifles for years. One Handi-Rifle cured me of ever spending money on another shotgun action turned into a rifle. I suppose not all are bad but mine was worthless. Although I only have two, the Ruger falling block is my favorite.

As a handi rifle fanboy, yes some of them are indeed worthless lol. Accuracy is hit or miss and they can be anywhere from a 3 lb trigger to a 9 lb trigger. I've had some that were sub moa rifles with great triggers. Others were... well they were trying their best. Bless their hearts.

 

[Elkins45]

I have been a fan of the Contender and even the Encore break action rifles for years. One Handi-Rifle cured me of ever spending money on another shotgun action turned into a rifle. I suppose not all are bad but mine was worthless. Although I only have two, the Ruger falling block is my favorite.

I bought a 223 Handi for my dad as a Christmas present about 30 years ago. I mounted a scope and attempted to sight it in. Imagine my surprise where it broke open and threw the empty case over my shoulder after every shot.

Needless to say that one went back to the factory.

 

[entropy]

Both of mine only did that when 5.56 was fired in them.

 

[benEzra]

That's probably more due to the typical rifles that chamber it and the way they are used than anything inherent to the cartridge.

Very true. But .30-30 does not really lend itself to target rifles; its forte is reliably delivering a deer-appropriate bullet out to a couple hundred yards from a lightweight, compact, easy-to-carry rifle, which has made it a deer rifle par excellence.

But the low drag coefficient of the relatively short, blunt-nosed bullets makes it suboptimal for 300+ yard paper punching due to drag and wind drift, hence the rarity of target rifles in that caliber. .223/5.56mm has acquitted itself fairly well in 600-yard target competition even against such stalwarts as .308 Winchester and .30-06, although it is outclassed in that role by the heavier-bullet 6-7mm target calibers (.223 doesn’t have a lot of horsepower to work with, and OAL is too short for the highest-BC .224 bullets).