AzGuy
.333 member
Reged: 23/03/06
Posts: 388
Loc: Prescott, Arizona, USA
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I'm a rookie when it comes to single shot rifles. Are they/can they be as accurate as a very good bolt action? Any one action more accurate than the others? They make beautiful rifles but I'm thinking about light weight and long range accuracy..... sorry if this "old stuff" but I'd like to get some input from those of you with experience. Thanks!
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DoubleD
.400 member
Reged: 23/11/03
Posts: 2481
Loc: Retired in Oklahoma
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Well, maybe you better define what you mean by accuracy and at what distance.
-------------------- DD, Ret.
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NE450No2
.375 member
Reged: 10/01/03
Posts: 942
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The most accurate single shots I have seen are the Blaser K 95's.
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AzGuy
.333 member
Reged: 23/03/06
Posts: 388
Loc: Prescott, Arizona, USA
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I've taken up Coues deer hunting here in Arizona and Mexico. These are small animals, a large buck will go 125-150 pounds. The country is "steep" and the shots can be long --- 300 + yards. Kill zone is about 6-8 inches and would like to be able to do that out to 500 yards. I've shot lots of rock chucks beyond 500 yards with my 220 swift --- 27" barrel and weighs 12 pounds. Looking for the lightest rifle w/great accuracy.
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Tom_H
.333 member
Reged: 13/04/05
Posts: 336
Loc: Southeast, NY
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Hello Arizona I think that you have to define what level of single shot you are looking at. In some cases the single shot is as accurate as the barrel, but these days I don't think that anyone is consistantly making bad barrels. In most cases it is the design itself that keeps it from becoming accurate. Besides the firing mechanism (striker or hammer), the way in which the foreend is attached and bedded to the barrel can make a big difference. I worked on a fellow's Ruger #1 in 30-06 that wouldn't group into 2", until I added a shim inbetween the foreend hanger and the stock. Groups droped to 1.25 immediately. I have one in .375 H&H that consistantly shoots into 5/8" with Federal and Winchester factory, but that gun is a few pounds heavier than the 06 and I have to shoot it with a sling to get that accuracy. The Schutzen crew shoot single shots like the Miller, but those guns aren't light either.
The cartridge that you put in it makes a difference (lighter chamberings seem to be more forgiving than heavier ones from an inertia issue.) A good trigger can make a great deal of difference especially in a light rifle.
My choice would probably be a #1 RSI in 7x57. I would fix the trigger then shoot it to see if any changes have to be made elsewhere. The mannlicher stock would be there to protect that skinny barrel from dings
I'm sure that I missed something here but I think that's most of it.
Cheers.
Tom
-------------------- Carbonation without fermentation is tyranny
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DPhillips
.375 member
Reged: 09/10/03
Posts: 819
Loc: Alaska
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Modern singleshot rifles can be scary accurate if built properly. Sub-MOA accuracy is usually not a problem with most provided the shooter, ammunition and rifle is constructed without a major fumble. I've not had a Ruger No.1 yet that wasn't capable of it, provided I did some minor "tweaking". Tweaking would consist of trigger work, maybe some forearm pressure relieving or adjusting of the spring. I've heard, but not experienced myself, of quarter ribs having to be relieved a little on back end against the action.
It would be more of a guarantee to start a build from the ground up with a Dakota, Hall, or Hagn for what you are looking for than a mass production barrel and action like the Ruger, it's just the nature of the beast. For top flite accuracy, I don't know of anyone using factory components without some renovation.
Also, for me and what you are describing, lugging a rifle into the desert mountains in high temps, I'd want a relatively light rifle, not something the Ruger comfortably is. All their rifles are built around one action. From the 22 centerfires to the 458's, they all use the same action. A small action Hagn could get the weight down much easier without sacraficing anything for strength or accuracy.
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