Who uses a single shot for deer

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coondogger

coondogger

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By the way, I'm talking about white tail deer. About three years ago, I set aside my .30-06. I was tired of the recoil. I started using a Ruger No. 1 in .270 caliber. I didn't see any deer those years (NH) but this year I got to second guessing myself about not having a quick following shot. My other option is a bolt action Savage in .243. I'm skeptical about the .243 for an animal of that size. So it's back to the single shot. Any single shot users out there? Or anyone that has had success with a .243. In NH, even sighting a deer can be rare and you wouldn't want to waste the moment.
 
Lots of deer with a .243. Though it was a bolt action, I considered it a single shot in the woods. Never needed a 2nd trigger pull.
 
I cant say this from experience, but my $0.02 is this... If a bowhunter can be effective with a single arrow, a rifle hunter with .270 most definitely would be. I think you can reload a #1 as fast as you can reload with a bow, so I wouldnt worry about the quick follow up argument. In most cases (yes I know there are exceptions, thats why I didnt say all), the deer are running too quickly and/or have made it behind cover after the first shot for a realistic second shot to be taken anyway.

Having said that... I wouldnt feel undergunned with a .243 either. So all that to say, I think either of your options is just fine for hunting. Use what you want and shoot comfortably with.
 
Never hunted with 243 but it shouldn't be a problem. Scores of other people use them to kill deer with one shot. IMO, a person shouldnt take a shot that is questionable for the caliber they're using. As long as you use adaquate discretion with shot placement you should be fine.
My first deer gun was a muzzleloader and I don't have any problems with one bullet. I do carry 2 extra quick loads for it though.
Last time I hunted I heard some moron shoot 5 times with little pause in between shots. To further prove the hunter's ignorance/stupidity, Ohio has a 3 shot limit to shotguns. 1 in the chamber 2 in the tube.

Carrying a couple extra rounds is not unwise but my experience has been that once a shot happens deer are on the move and a moving target is difficult (usually stupid) so pick your shot and you'll do fine.
 
This year Im dragging out a Savage 110 built for FClass a few years ago in 6.5x55. I havent fixed the magazine yet which was set up for 223. So technically itll be a single shot. Some people call a 243 marginal for deer but will do the job if used correctly. Good luck
 
I used to hunt deer with a Savage model 110 in .243 and never had an issue . Never needed a follow up shot, all fell where they stood. I'd be very confident hunting with that caliber even in a single shot rifle.
 
I have used a H&R single shot in 44 mag. Never had a problem with only one shot.
 
My other option is a bolt action Savage in .243. I'm skeptical about the .243 for an animal of that size.
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I used to be skeptical about it as well. Then I shot a deer with one. It ran about 20 yds and died. The hole was just as big as my '06 makes.
Then my wife shot one with the same gun and a handloaded 85 grain SGK BTHP bullet and it fell like lightning struck it.
This opening weekend a lady in our camp shot a 135 inch 10 point with a .243. DRT

I'm not skeptical any more.
 
In most cases (yes I know there are exceptions, thats why I didnt say all), the deer are running too quickly and/or have made it behind cover after the first shot for a realistic second shot to be taken anyway.
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Agreed. If you need a second shot, you'll have plenty of time to reload for it. Whenever I've needed a follow-up (I can count them on one hand), I've had time to load it. Think about shot placement like real estate, it's all about location, location, location. One could feasibly kill a deer with a .22*** if they put the bullet in the right spot.

***In NO WAY do I advocate this, I'm just trying to make a point.
 
Why not load your 30:06 with a lighter bullet and lighter load. You could create a tailored load to your exact needs.
 
I don't usually hunt deer with a single shot, but I've killed about 30 deer with a Browning high wall in 45-70. Repeaters offer advantages but you shouldn't let go that first shot unless you believe it will do the job, but just because you're carrying a single shot doesn't mean that you can't get off a fast second or even third shot. Once I set up two banks of five gongs at fifty yards in a practice session with the idea that I wanted to see if I could get two of my gongs with the aperture sighted 45-70 before the fellow shooting beside me could clean his bank with a telescopically sighted bolt gun. To my dismay I went against three different shooters, and I cleaned my bank of five faster than any of them could with their bolt guns. They all said that the big single shot shooting beside them that never missed unnerved them. That stunt wouldn't have worked against a seasoned rifleman, but I think it does serve to show that a single shot is not nearly the handicap most might imagine.

A .243 is an excellent deer cartridge provided that you understand the nature of its quick expanding bullet, and you don't try to reach the chest cavity by pushing through too much meat.
 
Although my "go to gun" holds 3 rounds, i only load the rifle bbl. when i sit for deer, as my shots are always 100 to 250 yards long...

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I've made 28 one shot kills in a row on big game with it now, and that includes moose, bear, deer and other big game, including this buck,

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DM
 
DM, Nice job. As you have demonstrated, the ability of the hunter is what brings home the goods.
What caliber is that old friend, and what is it's history, etc.? It looks like a neat rig.
 
I would think that a Ruger #1 in 270 would have very close to the same recoil as a -06. Regardless any of your choices will work well for deer. My son uses 243 with the 100gr PPU SP. When I hunt Jersey I use a single shot CVA Optima black powder, no chance of a reload. Plenty of guys using R#1 and Encore for deer and larger game. Take your time and pick your shots. Nothing worse than a wounded animal running off to die hours or days later.
 
I use a single shot .45-70 during primitive weapon season here...I don't feel under-gunned. It's very rare for me to need a second shot...I can't recall the last time I needed one.
 
Occasionally I hunt with a Springfield Trapdoor in 45/70, took this small doe a couple years ago.

Doedecember102011withtrapdoor.jpg
 
splithoof said:
DM, Nice job. As you have demonstrated, the ability of the hunter is what brings home the goods.
What caliber is that old friend, and what is it's history, etc.? It looks like a neat rig.
Click to expand...

My "go to gun" is a Krieghoff Semper, proofed in Oct. of 1935, chambered 8x57jrs. I handload 200NP's (2,550 MV) in it for all my hunting, and it's the best "all around" 8mm bullet i've ever used.

I've owned it since the early 80's and bought it from the guy who brought it here from Germany. It's been "fixed up" a bit since i bought it and it's very accurate with my handloads,

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A GREAT gun that put's a LOT of meat in my freezer!

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Sometimes when i'm meat hunting, i even make a double! ;)

DM
 
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I am a Ruger No. 1 person, I use .22-250 mainly, but .270, 30-06, come out of my safe tooo.... right now looking for a No. 1 in .308, .257 Roberts and wish they chambered one in 7mm-08. I stay away from the magnums, wsms etc. at almost 60 don't need the punishment and I know what I can do with conventional cartridges.
 
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