Can you reload a single shot fast enough for DG?

[Altitude sickness]

I have in the past done a fair bit of competitive shooting. From years of actual shooting/competing and practicing, the best approaches I found to creating muscle memory to simulate actual competition were a combination of visualization AND dry fire practice.

Dry fire practice alone is a great way to 'learn' a movement. In fact loading a shotgun on the clock was something I struggled with, my eyes were slowing me down. For nearly a year, I was between 1.5 and 2 seconds / shot (really poor). A very good (world class) shooter told me my eyes were slowing me down and to start practicing in the dark. It helped me get past a major plateau in my speed. After a few months of practicing in the dark, I was able to on occasion break the 1 second/shot speed. The final step was to visualize a specific situation (like competing in a large event) and then doing my dry fire practice after visualizing a specific situation.

This approach might help someone load 'faster'. But the original question was can you reload a single shot fast enought for DG. I'd bet that I could get as fast with a single shot rifle as most hunters are with a bolt action. But I'd never get as fast with a single shot as I can be with a bolt action, so I wouldn't handicap myself. And I'd never be as error-proof, handling shells with sweaty hands in the heat on a hillside with poor footing, not a risk I'd want to take.

That's just me.

AJ

I guess I’m in the “It’s the Indian not the bow” camp.

After watching AJ’s cowboy action shooting video. And how fast he can load and shoot accurately. I’m wagering he would be faster and more accurate with a single shot than 99% of the DG hunters I watch on Safari Classics tv. This is Africa and Untamed tv shows.

If I had a classic fine single action in a capable caliber. And felt proficient in loading it. And trusted my PH. Yes I would use it.

But just as a DR with iron sights may restrict the type of shots possible. The single shot would possibly restrict shot opportunities more.

watching DG hunting shows. It’s apparent that most Nimrods do not prepare properly. And would be unprepared no matter the weapon carried.

I’m sure if you asked most PH’s they would rather take a competent guy with a single shot than an incompetent with a belt fed anti-aircraft cannon.

 

[Altitude sickness]

While on the subject of asking PH’s. I’m confident they would rather have a hunter that is capable of sneaking in undetected and then sneaking back out than someone that can get the most rounds off.

The animal not knowing you are even there, or where you are is a better defense than putting lead in the air. Of course this isn’t always possible. But stealth is also a defensive skill.

 

[steve white]

Hi Rafiki, This a fun topic. I like single shot rifles.

But it's official, I am in a very small minority category of dangerous game hunters. ( The majority of cape buffalo hunters, last time I checked, like the .375 with mediocre bullets.)

Here is what I like about single shot rifles.
1. They are a few inches shorter than bolt actions and lever actions. Easy to carry, handy.
2. You can load different types of bullets for them as the cartridge doesn't have to cycle though an
action. No overall length issues other than chamber throat length.
3. You can mount a fabric band of several cartridge loops on the butt stock and reload pretty quickly.
4. You can shoot ay length of big bore cartridge in them for reliable killing power. I don't remember
ever having to make a second shot on a cape buffalo when I hit one on the engine room with my
.500 or .577. They were all dead right there. ( I use premium bullets, they kill way better.)
5. With a single shot, go for at least a .416 cal. with the best bullets. NorthFork, CEB are winners.

Hunting buffalo with a single shot focuses the mind and gets the energy flowing.

This year I am heading over to hunt 10 water buffalo, "beyond the black stump" in Northern Territory in Australia. I will be using my TC Encore Single Shot in .50-110 Winchester, 500 cal. Cutting Edge Bullets Raptor and Safari Solid, 400 grain to 450 grains at around 2,100 fps.

G'day mate. Brian

Fair enough! I had not considered a 577 shooting Raptors. Buffalo would probably be a sick puppy after receiving one of those--especially if he never saw it coming.

 

[camlo]

One and done.

 

[camlo]

I am having a hard time attaching pictures but I was able to put it together today on a huge lioness. Ruger No1 did its job and everyone on the hunt was safe.

 

[deewayne2003]

True enough but shooting a single shot rifle, or even a double, adds another element over a magazine rifle; which I believe was the begining premise of this thread ... but yeah, practice with what you use, nobody is going to argue with that.

You both have valid points and I’ll say this….

I’m easing into African hunting, I’ve got one Safari under my belt and my first animal in Africa was a tuskless at 12 paces with a double .470ne.

I love the double and can get off 4 shots with it faster than I can with my .300win because it has a 3rd capacity.

When choosing my bolt rifles I went with BRNO in .375H&H & .404J - the former holds six and the latter will hold five rounds.

I appreciate single shot rifles, but when it comes to dangerous game I appreciate magazine capacity and instant follow up more.

 

[AJ Peacock]

How about a 45-70 lever gun with 5+1 capacity? I wonder if I could smooth up the action a little and be quicker for 3+ shots than just about any non-semi auto action.

AJ

 

[BlueFlyer]

A lot of falling blocks have long lever throughs, which slow them down.
The Martini has a relatively short through and a wide open breach which all help with reloading.
If you have 2 cartridges between your fingers on the forehand, then it can be quite quick, but not as quick as a double or a bolt.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

A lot of falling blocks have long lever throughs, which slow them down.
The Martini has a relatively short through and a wide open breach which all help with reloading.
If you have 2 cartridges between your fingers on the forehand, then it can be quite quick, but not as quick as a double or a bolt.

My OCD is twitching…..
Throws…….

Gumpy

 

[BlueFlyer]

Throws…

Don't you know that engieer's can't spell. Glad it got your attention.

 

[Brian]

Fair enough! I had not considered a 577 shooting Raptors. Buffalo would probably be a sick puppy after receiving one of those--especially if he never saw it coming.

A buffalo hit with 577NE Raptor usually reacts like he has been electrocuted. I had a cape buffalo collapse into the deep grass from a basic lungs shot before my 577 NE single shot came down out of recoil.

 

[Rafiki]

A buffalo hit with 577NE Raptor usually reacts like he has been electrocuted. I had a cape buffalo collapse into the deep grass from a basic lungs shot before my 577 NE single shot came down out of recoil.

What bullet weight and velocity Brian.

 

[Doug3006]

The answer is….maybe. Shouldn’t we do everything possible to remove as much uncertainty as possible from the dangerous game we play?

 

[1:66 twiste@d]

I say go for it! You only pass this way once,

 

[Brian]

What bullet weight and velocity Brian.

600 grain, terminal velocity 1850fps.

 

[Rafiki]

600 grain, terminal velocity 1850fps.

Everybody is talking about those Raptors, how great they are, maybe I should give them a try in my .510cal Ruger No 1. I'm currently shooting 550gr VRG-3 at 2064fps with a goal of +2150fps. I just don't get the physics of those Raptors. I just seems like those petals blow off and you end up with what is essentially a solid. Of course your .577 offers a bit more mass (30gr) and a bit more diameter that counts for something, probably a lot.

Anyway thanks for the info Brian.

To get this back on subject: use a big enough cannon, hit the DG in to right spot, practice reloading 'til it's second nature and go hunting with confidence.

 

[Brian]

Everybody is talking about those Raptors, how great they are, maybe I should give them a try in my .510cal Ruger No 1. I'm currently shooting 550gr VRG-3 at 2064fps with a goal of +2150fps. I just don't get the physics of those Raptors. I just seems like those petals blow off and you end up with what is essentially a solid. Of course your .577 offers a bit more mass (30gr) and a bit more diameter that counts for something, probably a lot.

Anyway thanks for the info Brian.

To get this back on subject: use a big enough cannon, hit the DG in to right spot, practice reloading 'til it's second nature and go hunting with confidence.

The energy, physics factors is not relevant any more with this new design of bullets, Raiki. The terminal performance of the Raptors and the CEB #13 Safari Solid ( Both invented by Michael 458 of B&M Rifle and cartridges ) is mostly about tissue damage, wound channel and deep, straight penetration. It takes a new look to see it. The old traditional concepts and theories are not as applicable with these new bullets. I think that is why the Raptor took so long to get accepted in the traditional shooting/hunting world. JMO, Brian

 

[steve white]

Everybody is talking about those Raptors, how great they are, maybe I should give them a try in my .510cal Ruger No 1. I'm currently shooting 550gr VRG-3 at 2064fps with a goal of +2150fps. I just don't get the physics of those Raptors. I just seems like those petals blow off and you end up with what is essentially a solid. Of course your .577 offers a bit more mass (30gr) and a bit more diameter that counts for something, probably a lot.

Anyway thanks for the info Brian.

To get this back on subject: use a big enough cannon, hit the DG in to right spot, practice reloading 'til it's second nature and go hunting with confidence.

Raptors are more like the blades coming off a helicopter inside the buffalos body.

 

[Philip Glass]

These are the words of Craig Boddington in his book "Where Lions Roar." He had just placed a bullet (375 Dakota) in the boiler room of a buffalo. Here are his next words:
"DG with a single-shot was an experiment for me. I've used Ruger Number Ones a lot on lesser game, and I'd practiced a lot with this rifle. I'd anticipated exactly this moment, and I had extra cartridges between the fingers of my supporting hand--I thought I was ready.
There was lots of time; I could have emptied a bolt action--possibly I could have emptied and reloaded a double. But the Dakota single shot, an usually beautiful and smooth handling rifle, doesn't eject. Eyes on the buffalo, I cleared the empty, started to stuff a fresh 375 Dakota cartridge into the chamber, and realized I'd never make it--the trees were now closing around the departing buffalo."
At my shoulder, ready, Russ said calmly, "Do you want me to shoot him?" Unprintable affirmative......
My X bullet from the fast 375 Dakota had pierced its heart and all the rest was window dressing, but that first shot might not have been so perfect and there was nothing I could have done about it. Food for thought.
That made me want for us to give it some thought.

So, not enough time for a NON EJECTOR to get off a departing shot, and an inbound charge would cut the time allotted significantly. First qualification might well be (for DG) is it an ejector? If not, is it disqualified for general recommendation?
Which single shots are ejectors?
Are some actions just faster than others in your experience. How fast, honestly, are you?

I don't have DG experience with a single shot. But I shot an old single shot shotgun for the pot when I was too young to afford a better gun, and you play hell if you can get two shots off with a departing game bird. Seconds matter. Life matters too.
What is your verdict?

I would say first of all in many circumstances you hardly have time to reload a bolt much less a single shot. This is where the double comes in. When I was researching doubles years ago I could not for the life of me figure out why there were so many doubles, especially used (interesting!), with extractors instead of ejectors. After hunting with a double for a number of years now I've decided I was right and extractors are simply stupid.
I suppose I don't see a use case for a single shot for DG. I've always thought a stainless Ruger #1 would be neat for a Bongo in the jungle however!

 

[bigger is better]

A single shot only works if your PHs are on the ball.Last year I took a custom single shot in 450/400
for buffalo.I had explicitly asked my PH to back me up irrespective of my shot (assuming a hit).Came onto a buffalo and hit the buffalo well with my shot.No time to reload and the buffalo ran of and joined the herd.It so happened I had two PHs that morning.Neither fired but had plenty of time to do so and both had bolt-actions.Found blood but never recovered the buffalo.I paid $9000 for the trophy fee.
Next time I will use my double!