wanting a single shot fun to shoot rifle

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

For year's I've been thinking of getting myself a single shot rifle, something like a rolling block, Ruger number 1 or something like that. Never picked a caliber and never picked an action.

Now it's years later and I'm in my fifties, so it's on my do before sixty list. I'd love to get some suggestions on a caliber that's fun to load for and shoot for a fella with some gravel in his shoulder.

I'm open to some type of "cool" firearm that loads something either in black powder or smokeless in 30-40, 45-70 or some other caliber that'd be fun to load for.

Can you fellas suggest a single rifle that would be a good starter rifle for a single shot in a caliber that'd be fun to shoot and not horrible from the brass cost/reload perspective?

thanks for the help,

Dave

[I'll Make Mine]

I'd say .45-70 is a good choice -- it's got the authority to get the job done with full power loads, is easy to reload with the straight wall case, and can be loaded down to below .45 Colt ballistics for plinking, teaching youngsters, etc. Works equally well with black or smokeless, providing it's in a modern rifle action. You won't find it cheap to shoot like a small caliber can be, but with cast boolits and light loads of shotgun powders you should still be able to make plinking rounds that don't break the bank.

There are reproduction and original trapdoors, rolling blocks and falling blocks, and at least a couple modern break-action single shots available in .45-70 (Ruger #1 and H&R Handi).

[drcook]

Right now Cabelas is clearing out the Pedersoli "Sharps Hunter" which is a pretty decent rifle for $850.00. After having watched Cabelas do this a lot, when they are gone, they are gone.

That rifle would be a lot more fun than one of the cheaper guns and easier on your shoulder and easier to shoot accurately. It would even suffice for entry level competition, should you decide you would like to try that.

Be advised though, better tang sights, as with any of the single shot/BPCR rifles can end up costing quite a bit

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Pedersoli-1874-Sharps-Hunter-45-70-Rifle/740262.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3D searchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProduc ts%26Ntt%3Dsharps%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader %253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=sharps&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

[tacklebury]

Personally, I like my .45-70 Buffalo Classic. I load it with round balls for plinking, leads for shooting plates and a variety of jacketed bullets. Done it with BP, subs, Unique (for rb loads) and Reloader7 which is my go to due to its ability to go from 34 gr. as trap door level loads to 56 gr. for Ruger #1 loads. With my irons I've shot many sub 1" groups at 100 yards. Davidson's just got in a shipment of them too. ;)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EAEllfCC6l4/Ts7YJnUnUFI/AAAAAAAAAos/fuFa__XEy-o/s800/H%2526R_45-70_Buffalo_Classic.JPG

http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx?item=CR-1871

The regular length ones are fun too I'm told and are a good bit less expensive. ;)

http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx?item=SB2-457

[Gunlaker]

[QUOTE=DaveInFloweryBranchGA;1910504] I'd love to get some suggestions on a caliber that's fun to load for and shoot for a fella with some gravel in his shoulder.

/QUOTE]

The .45-70's are fun, but if you've got a bum shoulder then you might want to consider the .38-55.

Brass generally last a long time in a single shot too so that cuts down on costs.

Chris.

[williamwaco]

For year's I've been thinking of getting myself a single shot rifle, something like a rolling block, Ruger number 1 or something like that. Never picked a caliber and never picked an action.

Now it's years later and I'm in my fifties, so it's on my do before sixty list. I'd love to get some suggestions on a caliber that's fun to load for and shoot for a fella with some gravel in his shoulder.

I'm open to some type of "cool" firearm that loads something either in black powder or smokeless in 30-40, 45-70 or some other caliber that'd be fun to load for.

Can you fellas suggest a single rifle that would be a good starter rifle for a single shot in a caliber that'd be fun to shoot and not horrible from the brass cost/reload perspective?

thanks for the help,

Dave

I too have an acquaintance with that shoulder problem and that long time desire for a fun single shot.

I now have two. A Winchester 1885 in .38-55 and a Thompson Contender in .30-30. I love them both.

the Winchester more for its looks and the Contender more for shooting. Twenty or so full power .38-55 loads doesn't bother me so much as I am shooting them but my shoulder will ache and bother me all night.

The .30-30 with 170 grain bullets at around 1400 fps I can shoot as many as I want and it will not bother me later.

ALSO - .30-30 brass is much cheaper and easier to find.

My fantasy rifle would be some type falling block in .30-30.

Stay sway from the .45-70 unless you want to shoot pretty much squib loads - or lie awake all night.


.

[skeettx]

Ruger #1 in 357 Mag, what a hoot and cheap to shoot

No recoil

FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

Like one of these

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=300757168

Mike

[Bullshop]

Since you put the emphicise on FUN and mention having shoulder problems why not a 22 hornet, 218 bee, or 25/20 or something like that.
For just fun shooting the hornet is hard to beat. 150 boolits to the pound of lead and 1000 shot per pound of powder makes them a lot of fun for the money.
They can also be put to some serious hunting use as well.
The 22 hornet was the original poachers pet during the former depression and may become popular in the current one.
If you decide to mess with black powder you would then be shooting a 22 wcf.

[gandydancer]

check out the CVA scout compact in 45/70 with the Bergara Barrel.comes with mount and rings. for around $250.00 OTD and will shoot better then some of the others out there. I have two the compact 45/70 and a reg scout in 44 mag. I'm shooting 1200 to 1400 FPS because of back
surgery three months ago. its a ton of fun.



Bergara Rifles

[fryboy]

just get a encore and then later as you desire you can try anything from mild to wild , get a pistol frame tho and buy the rifle stock and barrel(s) that turn you on ,i say a pistol frame because there is some debate about converting a rifle papered frame into a pistol but not vice versa , fair warning they can be addicting !!!
personally i love the action on the older contenders best but for sheer caliber selection it's hard to beat an encore , even possible in a 12 gauge or a 28 or black powder
my last 'tender barrel ? a 18" custom shop K hornet ( doesnt seem to weigh anything ) , the barrel before that was a 15" 375 JDJ encore barrel ( like i needed a another barrel in that caliber :P )

[uscra112]

The fun fades fast shooting .45-70. The cost of powder and lead add up, and so does the recoil. The old Schuetzen men would never have considered it, because they had to fire their rifles at least 100 times a day. It would have tired them out too much. They mostly preferred the .32-40, although some stalwarts used the .38-55. Today the modern Schuetzen cartridge is about .32-20 in case volume, firing a 200 grain boolit.

I've got over a dozen single shots, few of which are newer than 1915. I find I have the most fun shooting the smallest cartridges, even the lowly .22 rimfire and a .32 Colt. Nothing will tech you wind-doping better than shooting .22 rimfire at 200 yards. (Not a typo.) If you cast, nothing can beat a .357 for cheap fun. You can even load it with Holy Black and be successful. In a strong action, such as an Win. High Wall, it will take deer using a stiff charge and a 180 or 200 grain boolit.

I do admit to having a Contender, Gen 1 with the set trigger. It is a neat gun with a .22 Hornet barrel, and very accurate. Not so neat with a .357 Max. I regret having reamed a .357 Magnum barrel out to make the Max. Anything past the .357 Magnum wants an Encore chassis.

[Mk42gunner]

Dave,

I'm 48, and the older I get the less I enjoy shooting rifles with heavy recoil. I have a couple of suggestions for you, depending if you want to shoot at longish range or under fifty yards.

Longish range: A Winchester Highwall in .30-40. It shouldn't aggravate your shoulder with cast, and maybe not with j-words.

Under fifty yards: No. 2 Remington rolling block in .32 caliber. Convert to centerfire and you can leave the chamber alone and shoot the .32 Long or Short Colt, or ream it out to use .32 S&W Long.

Robert

[357Mag]

Dave -

Howdy !

Since you are localed down South, you shouldn' t be very far from a gunstore or pawnshop that has some of those special-run H & R single shot rilfes chambered in .35 Rem ( for "primitive" season ) for sale.

This would be a great first-effort gun, and would also feature barrel inter-changeability as a built-in capability. Lead or "J-word.


Regards,
357Mag

[.45Cole]

Well you asked a question that was sure to garner lots of responses, and I'm going to bite too.
Browning 1885 low Wall in your pistol caliber

Cheap (ammo), easy on the shoulder, quality and pretty, easy to load for (esp .357/.38), and best of all half round/half octagon
I have a .45 colt and I shoot it until I come close to shooting all my ammo
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=314617923

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Keep them coming fellas, I'm loving what I'm learning.:drinks:

[XTR]

If I like the way my C sharps '74 shoots (I imagine I will) there is about a 100% chance that my Win-Mir Highwall 45-70 is going to get re-barreled into a 30-40 or a 30-40AI. I'm thinking that is about perfect (well, maybe a 7mm-40 AI wildcat would be better) Long neck brass to shoot cast if you want, if you do the AI thing it falls on the high side power wise between a 308 and a 30-06, if you leave it as a straight 30-40K it's pretty much a 308, you can load it from 155s up to 220s, shoot cast or fast pointy bullets to hunt longer ranges. The 30-40AI was one of PO Ackley's original experiments, the dies are available w/o ordering custom. Sounds to me to be almost perfect.

If I didn't have this rifle that I'm thinking of rebarreling I'd have already purchased one of the Italian highwalls in 30-40K with a set trigger and a pistol grip stock from BACO.

[Buckshot]

............If you can find something in either 30-30 pr 30-40 Krag I think you'd really enjoy either one. I was going to suggest the 40-65, but the choices for those are slim. I suspect they're slim for the 30-40 in a modern SS too, but again the 30-40 or 30-30 would be my choices.

.............Buckshot

[Starvnhuntr]

Ruger no.1 in 45/70. fun with roundballs and something like 3 gr. unique. this load is a tackdriver at 50 feet and inexpensive enough to shoot all day.

[StrawHat]

I think the Mini Sharps is available in 45 long Colt. That might be an option for you.

[Boz330]

38-55 or 40-65, both are a hoot to shoot and easy on powder and lead. They convert to BP well, if you want to go that route. My experience with the 30s was that fouling with BP can be an issue.
There are a lot of options but the replicas of the old rifles just add another dimension.

Bob

[fixit]

Ruger no.1 in 45/70. fun with roundballs and something like 3 gr. unique. this load is a tackdriver at 50 feet and inexpensive enough to shoot all day.

how loud is that load?

[1Shirt]

Can't go wrong with a Ruger #1 in 45-70. Fun to shoot, easy to load for, and capable of mousefart to anything on this continent loads.
1Shirt!

[KCSO]

The round ball hitting the target is the loudest noise.

But you can do the same rb trick with 30-30, 30-40, 38-55 ect. In 22 hornet I use to use a primer in a drilled out case and a 22 pellet.

[EdZ KG6UTS]

[QUOTE=DaveInFloweryBranchGA;1910504] I'd love to get some suggestions on a caliber that's fun to load for and shoot for a fella with some gravel in his shoulder.

/QUOTE]

The .45-70's are fun, but if you've got a bum shoulder then you might want to consider the .38-55.
Chris.

I do shoot a 45.70 and what I like is being able to vary the load, powder and bullet, for casual plinking etc. The other single shot is a .43 Spanish rolling Block. I'd REALLY like to find a 32.20 or 32.40 with a .22 matching barrel so again will look hard at the CPA 44 1/2 Stevens after taxes are dealt with. Those look like total fun!!
On recoil. The Decellerator wrap on pads by Pachmayr work fine as does the recoil shield/pad from Buffalo Arms. Since I'm long armed and stocks can be a bit short both those options work well for me and can be used with anything I shoot including one Browning A5 that was shortened by a friend.

[EdZ KG6UTS]

The round ball hitting the target is the loudest noise. . In 22 hornet I use to use a primer in a drilled out case and a 22 pellet.

That must be like the "Parlor" loads from long ago. Will have to mic the pellets to see how they would work in 223. Thanks for a neat idea.

EdZ KG6UTS
Headed to Baja to annoyu some fish.

[JHeath]

Well you asked a question that was sure to garner lots of responses, and I'm going to bite too.
Browning 1885 low Wall in your pistol caliber

Cheap (ammo), easy on the shoulder, quality and pretty, easy to load for (esp .357/.38), and best of all half round/half octagon
I have a .45 colt and I shoot it until I come close to shooting all my ammo
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=314617923

Amen. Buy/build something low recoil and easy-cheap to reload, and you'll shoot more, learn more, and have more fun. +1 on the Low Wall. I'm edging toward a .32-20.

Take 200 rounds of .30-06 to the range, resolved to shoot it all, and you'll probably have to force yourself to do it (depending on rifle weight); the fun wears off. Take a brick or two of .22lr and it's never enough. Find your Goldilocks caliber in the middle. The guy above who mentioned the Scheutzen rifles/calibers is onto something.

[flint45]

I have to fun to shoot single shots both are rolling blocks one in .45-70 and the other in .50-70. Both guns are fun shooters all sorts of ways to load black powder, smokless plus all differnt kinds of fun boolits. My favorite is black powder and big lead boolits out in the desert hittting a metal gong target. kaboom......klang...fun.

[Marvin S]

Old caliber 32-20. Newer 38/357. Longer rifle type 30-30 or 32-40. I have bad shoulders and the 32 wcf and 32-40 do it for me.

[XTR]

............If you can find something in either 30-30 pr 30-40 Krag I think you'd really enjoy either one. I was going to suggest the 40-65, but the choices for those are slim. I suspect they're slim for the 30-40 in a modern SS too, but again the 30-40 or 30-30 would be my choices.

.............Buckshot

There is usually one or two Ruger #3slisted on GB in 30-40 (haven't looked lately)

[TCLouis]

10.5 grains of Milsurp #105 ( the flake one like Unique) will yield 1100 fps With RD's 365 grain boolit (378 in my alloy) and is FUN to shoot . . . .

Did I mention accurate at 50 yds.

Oh 38-55 would kewl too . . .

Watch for oversize bores in this caliber

[uscra112]

Nobody's mentioned it yet, but a CPA replica of the Stevens Model 44 1/2 is a very fine rifle. Quite pricey, but easy to change barrels on, and of a quality that will make it an instant heirloom. They are usually real tackdrivers when properly loaded. The 44 1/2 was only made a few years. It's rumored that Harry Pope himself had input to the design, but as it was brought out after the bolt action had begun to dominate the hunting fields, it didn't sell well, and was soon dropped, even though the much inferior Model 44 soldiered on. It's my all-time favorite of the old ones, even above the Winchester and the Borchardt, and I own examples of both. CPA will make one for you in almost any cartridge you choose, although the size of the frame won't allow the .45-70, and although Ned Roberts used one to develop his .257 Roberts cartridge, it's not really right for .308 or .30-06. The .30-40 Krag, .30-30, .32-40, and .38-55 would all be great in it, as would .25-20 or the Hornet. Did I mention that the 44 1/2 is my favorite of the old ones?

[blixen]

Yes, like a Martini.




My fantasy rifle would be some type falling block in .30-30.
.

[Gunlaker]

The CPA rifles are nice! You actually can buy them chambered in .45-70 as their action is a little bigger than the original 44 1/2.

Chris.

[rexherring]

For fun and plinking pick up an H&R chambered in .30-30. I've seen them for arround $150 used in shops and Guntrader. Cheap and accurate.

[.22-10-45]

I'm having a ball with an original Ballard No. 3 in .25-25 Stevens. Since it's a cast action (originally .22 rimfire) I use only black..Swiss 3FG. Using the Ideal 25730, I am getting 3/8" groups at 50yds.

[nanuk]

I have a Uberti Baby Rolling Block that is a thing of beauty

357mag...

I'll shoot it one of these days!

Hey 303Guy, don't you agree??? Nice rifle!

[Tatume]

Nobody's mentioned it yet, but a CPA replica of the Stevens Model 44 1/2 is a very fine rifle. ... CPA will make one for you in almost any cartridge you choose, although the size of the frame won't allow the .45-70

I have a 44-1/2 on order from CPA now, and it is to be chambered in 45-70.

Take care, Tom

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Wow, I didn't know there were that many different types of single shot rolling block type rifles. I'm starting to get a couple candidates together. Keep em coming fellas.

[drcook]

I have a 44-1/2 on order from CPA now, and it is to be chambered in 45-70.

Take care, Tom

CPA states on their website that they increased the size of the frame, which allowed them to increase the barrel shank/threads to the same size as a Win 1885 Hi Wall.

Tom, which barrel size did you get. My CPA 45-70 wears a 30" nbr 4 profile. It also has a nbr 4 32" barrel chambered in 45-100. The 45-70 does not recoil much.

I have a dedicated CPA in 45-100 with a 32" nbr 5 profile which really tames the recoil.

So to the OP, barrel size and gun weight has so much to do with how much you enjoy shooting the firearm.

You would enjoy shooting my 45-110's. However one of them weighs 13.5 lbs and the other 14.5 lbs. You would not want to shoot them much in a 7 or 8 lb rifle.

You also have to consided stock design in these single shot rifles. All of mine wear pistol grip stocks with the comb parallel to the bore so they recoil straight back. If you shoot one of the bigger black powder cartridges (or any cartridge that recoils) with a military buttstock (sharps, rolling block) or a comb too low from the bore, it is going to be uncormfortable

[olafhardt]

I have a plain Handirifle in 500 s&w. It has never been polluted with a factory load. It is great if you reload. It is used with Lee 50 muzzle loading stuff. It is tons of fun to play arround with.

[Gunlaker]

Wow, I didn't know there were that many different types of single shot rolling block type rifles. I'm starting to get a couple candidates together. Keep em coming fellas.

Technically most of the ones discussed are falling blocks rather than rolling blocks, but they are all pretty neat. I shoot Sharps, Winchester, and CPA single shots and love them all. It'd be nice to have a Ballard though......

Chris.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

Yes, like a Martini.
Another vote for the Martini, from 22RF to 577 Snider

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/Martini_Lots_zps69a15cdd.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/MartiniSporters_zps1ab2a208.jpg

[BAGTIC]

I have Browning 78, M1885, Ruger #1 & #3, Martini Cadet. I have as much 'fun' with the H&R as with any. I have H&R in .22 Hornet, .270 Hornet (wildcat), 40-30 (wildcat) 30-30; 500 S&W, .357, .357 Maximumw, .44 Magnum, 44 Super magnum.

For fun the lighter guns are more practical. I shoot 357 and 357 Max and 44 Magnum and 44 Supermagnum the most.

BTW I had to have that shoulder surgery last year after it got to where I could not raise my right arm high enough to shave or comb my hair. I have been shooting for well over 50 years. I was never bothered by recoil even from the Magnum calibers including 7mm Magnum and .458 Magnum or so I thought. The fact that it didn't hurt did not mean it was hurting.

[williamwaco]

Ruger #1 in 357 Mag, what a hoot and cheap to shoot

No recoil

FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

Like one of these

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=300757168

Mike


YES!

I own one of those. It is VERY nice.


.

[TJF1]

I just ordered a handi in 500sw should get fri.
Terry

[Jim]

As silly as it sounds, I have more fun shootin' my little H&R .223 than I can get a permit for. I dunno, every time I look at it, it jus' says "C'mon, Jim, let's go play!"

A primer, 3 grains of Bullseye and 50 grains o' lead and I'm havin' more fun than a kid with his first 22. I even put a light an' a sling on it so I could use it to kill 'coons with!

[pietro]

I'm in lust with the Browning Low Wall .45 Colt

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/306606000/306606081/pix960745133.jpg

With a slip-on recoil pad for prolonged shooting, your shoulder should shine as much as your smile.




.

[badgeredd]

Since you put the emphicise on FUN and mention having shoulder problems why not a 22 hornet, 218 bee, or 25/20 or something like that.
For just fun shooting the hornet is hard to beat. 150 boolits to the pound of lead and 1000 shot per pound of powder makes them a lot of fun for the money.
They can also be put to some serious hunting use as well.
The 22 hornet was the original poachers pet during the former depression and may become popular in the current one.
If you decide to mess with black powder you would then be shooting a 22 wcf.

+1 on cartridge choices.

I have an assortment of single shot rifles and love them all. My favorites are a three pre-1900 manufactured guns that I restored/converted. One is an 1880s Marlin-Ballard chambered for a 32 centerfire cartridge; the other 2 are low-walls, one chambered is 218 Mashburn Bee and the other chambered in 38 Special. I have a Star roller chambered in a wildcat...30 Badger...that is a 38 Special necked down to 30 caliber. Also have an H&R chambered in 30 Badger. I cut down 2 Model 95 Mausers years ago and they are both single shots: one in 218 Mashburn Bee and the other in 22 Super Jet. A Martini Cadet in 357 Mag also is in my safe. Then there are a couple bigger calibers, one is a 45-60 on a break-action and the other is 38-55 on a Martini/Greener action. I also possess
a Pedersoli 40-65 that is a hoot. Then there is the Contender carbine in 17 HRM and a Model 23 in 25-20 along with a H&R Handi in 22 hornet.

MY suggestion is to find something in a pistol cartridge for just plain fun. One can load them mild to wild and have a lot of fun with little recoil and a lot of accuracy. There is something very cool about a single shot when it comes to just good old fun.

Edd

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

A question:

What is the difference in case length and capacity between a 45 long colt and a 45-70? Please excuse the dumb question, but I've never owned an reloaded for a rimmed cartridge in my life.

[lbaize3]

I have a new baby rolling block in 357 mag. Have not shot it yet, but it looks exactly like my 30-30 rolling block that I am in love with. I also have contender single shots in 32-20, 6.8spc, 7TCU, and others my old feeble mind simply will not recall this am. All but the 6.8 are shot with lead boolits and provide more fun and entertainment than I can express....

[StrawHat]

A question:

What is the difference in case length and capacity between a 45 long colt and a 45-70? Please excuse the dumb question, but I've never owned an reloaded for a rimmed cartridge in my life.

the 45-70 case is 2.1 "long and can hold 70 grains of black powder. The 45 long Colt is 1.28 and commonly was loaded with 40 grains of black powder. You would need different cartridge holders and dies to reload the two as they also differ in other dimensions.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Thank you Strawhat, tells me a lot about the two cartridges. I'm guess both shoot "arcs" rather than being flat shooting, so a good adjustable rear sight could be critical to accuracy.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I'm in lust with the Browning Low Wall .45 Colt

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/306606000/306606081/pix960745133.jpg

With a slip-on recoil pad for prolonged shooting, your shoulder should shine as much as your smile.




.

That, like so many posted in this thread, is a fine looking rifle.

[StrawHat]

Thank you Strawhat, tells me a lot about the two cartridges. I'm guess both shoot "arcs" rather than being flat shooting, so a good adjustable rear sight could be critical to accuracy.

Yes, they both have rainbow trajectories but that is a part of the charm. While I have adjustable sights on some of my rifles, rather than constantly fiddling with the sights, I hold off the correction I think is needed and fire. A good way to get used to this is to settle on one load and then leave the paper targets and bench. Walking in the woods or fields and shooting targets of opportunity, where you estimate the range and use field positions, is a good way to get to know a rifle, a cartridge and your limitations.

Of the two cartridges mentioned, the 45 long Colt in a lightweight single shot would be a lot of fun. If you can find one load that shoots well in your revolver and rifle it would be even better! I load with blcak powder and find the old ballistics to be perfect for this continent. The mini Sharps I mentioned has been used to take buffalo. Not bad for a revolver cartridge.

[BCRider]

I have to agree with Strawhat that the slow rainbow trajectories is part of the fun.

I just started shooting at longer distances last summer with a .38-55 rolling block set up with the vernier style tall rear peep. Hitting the steel rams at 280 yards in one event pretty much introduced me to this style and the "patience" that is needed. I'd shoot at the ram, hold my sight picture and the trigger back for a half second then lift my eye away from the rear sight. It took all of that before the ram started to tip back and over.... :D Later I calculated that the flight time of the bullet was a little over a half second assuming a muzzle speed of 1500 fps. Sort of gives a guy time to have a sip o' tea before looking to see if the target is beginning to fall.... At least that's what it felt like :D

And if you're seriously considering some of the old original black powder cartridges either with black or smokeless I'll just toss in another recomendation for a .38-55. I've got to shoot a few 45-70 Sharps rifles that belong to the others in my Cowboy Action group. A few shots is fine. But a busy day of shooting? Not for me. They still smack with some pretty good authourity. And for a guy like you with "some gravel" in the shoulder? I'd have to say that you'd like a .38-55 over a .45-70 by a LONG SHOT. In my 12 lb rolling block/Shiloh barreled rifle it's got a nice soft push which would be all day fun for anyone other than the most sensitive of shoulder injury/damage.

I've also got an Encore with a scope. But likely I'll be selling it soon. I found that using a scope and high velocity rounds is just a little too much like cheating. But shooting long range with the target peep and globe sights setup has the juices stirring up to boiling :D Each time I go to check out the target it's almost like Christmas morning!

It would be a whole other story if I were a hunter. In such a case the Encore and scope or a Ruger #1 with scope would be the way to go. Or for close in conditions perhaps a Lyman or Marples low mount peep on such a rifle. In that case it's all about getting that ethical kill and the least risk of a long search for a wounded animal. But for range giggles? Me and my peep sighted rolling block are Best Buds....

[captaint]

Two years ago I got a new Win (Miroku) Model 1885 HiWall in 38-55 cal. With very little experimenting, it is incredibly accurate with 250 gr LBT LFN's. I haven't shot it past 100 yards, but it really is fun, and the recoil isn't bad at all. enjoy Mike

[williamwaco]

Two years ago I got a new Win (Miroku) Model 1885 HiWall in 38-55 cal. With very little experimenting, it is incredibly accurate with 250 gr LBT LFN's. I haven't shot it past 100 yards, but it really is fun, and the recoil isn't bad at all. enjoy Mike


DITTO.

I like the Lyman 375248 and the LEE 379-250. I keep loads around 1400 fps.

.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

What's the trajectory of 30-40 like?

[uscra112]

What's the trajectory of 30-40 like?

For equal boolit weights, somewhere between .30-30 and .308, assuming a strong action. Some people want to equate it with the .303 British. The plus of the .30-40 is that it can be and usually is loaded with heavier boolits than the .30-30 will handle. Lyman 311284 is the canonical load, but 311299 also works well. Both are about 200 grains.

[27judge]

Encore with a custom 20 inch 30-06 barrel low dose of unuiqe/311291 or 311299 one hole groups at 50 yards.Contender with a custom 30-30 ack imp with same powder and 311291 16 1/4 barrel same results . Im now looing at the mouse fart loads listed on this forum using a LBT 130 gr for a low noise load for front yard tks ken

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

For equal boolit weights, somewhere between .30-30 and .308, assuming a strong action. Some people want to equate it with the .303 British. The plus of the .30-40 is that it can be and usually is loaded with heavier boolits than the .30-30 will handle. Lyman 311284 is the canonical load, but 311299 also works well. Both are about 200 grains.

So much more flat shooting than a 45-70 or .38-55?

[357maximum]

I do admit to having a Contender, Gen 1 with the set trigger. It is a neat gun with a .22 Hornet barrel, and very accurate. Not so neat with a .357 Max. I regret having reamed a .357 Magnum barrel out to make the Max. Anything past the .357 Magnum wants an Encore chassis.



Everytime I read a statement such as that I am really thankful that I had my TANK of a 357MAX bench pistol built as an Encore. With fullhouse loads most of the "recoil" is actually centrifical force torque that merely lifts one leg of the bibod. It so fun to shoot I have moved the throat forward and ran alot of brass to the end of it's lifespan.

[PS Paul]

Man, this is one of the most FUN threads ever!

[45-70.gov]

357 max

45-70 and a bad shoulder???????

i like my handi
they are so cheap...try a few calibers

357max is easy and cheap to ream yourself..
.i did 4 of them a month after heart surgery
they only sell 357 mag.....which is a great choice too

the max will out power a 30-30
and still shoot a 38special

30-30 is a good cast round

a 45lc can be reamed to 454cassul in the handi
45 colt and 45-70 AREN'T the same bore size

i like a single shot to be compatible with my handgun as cack up

44 mag is a good choice too

44 and 357 and 30-30 in a handi
will cost about the same as one ruger or sharps

[Texantothecore]

Some hard numbers for you:

Cost to reload 400 grn in a .45-70 = .14
Cost to reload 144 grn roundball in a .45-70 = .04

Recoil in the 400 grain is substantial, but you can reduce it with lead cast into a copper tube placed in the stock in the long hole that is used to attach the rifle to the action. A 50 dollar mercury reducer from Brownells will reduce the recoil even more. I use a PAST shoulder pad and it does a beautiful job of reducing the recoil.

Recoil for the roundball is non-existent and you can shoot it all day. As detailed above it is cheap, cheap, cheap.

You can also load your empty brass shells as shotgun rounds and it works pretty well. It is substantially larger than a .410 but somewhat smaller than a 32 gauge shotgun. The Army issued those shells with the gun when it was introduced to our infantry for rabbit and bird hunting to supplement the troop's "dining experience".

The larger, older calibers are more like owning many different rifles and the methods used to take advantage of the abilities of the caliber are well documented. 139 years of messing about with this caliber provided reams of things you can do with them. Paper Patching anyone? No problem. Breech seating? No problem. Multi-ball guard rounds? No problem.

I shoot an H&R Buffalo Classic (.45-70) and I love that rifle. Super accurate and fun to mess around with. And you can do any of the above listed methods with modern powder or black powder. A lifetime of entertainment.

[fcvan]

I wanted a single shot rifle for shooting cast and always thought 30-30 Handi rifle would be a good choice. Last year, I was able to pick up an H&R 1871 Classic Carbine in 45 Colt. I like the stock configuration much better than the standard handi rifle.

I have really enjoyed loading and shooting every thing from round ball loads to stout 300 grain loads. I've got to tell ya, those stout 300 grain loads let you know the rifle has a crescent steel butt plate. Yes, you can get diffently barrels for the H&R but only a few of them have iron sights which I prefer. 30-30 is one of them, and so is the 30" 45-70 barrel they use for the Buffalo Classic. If I could get an iron sighted barrel in 38-40 I'd be in hog busting heaven :)

[pls1911]

This thread has me thinking silly thoughts about looking at guns again... I have. too many unfired already, as I view them a s much as industrial art as working tools... but that danged pile of martinis reminded me that I always lliked that action, but have bever owened one.
Lots of good recommendations here.. my preference is a 30-30 in almost any action....fun, cheap, universally available, or 45-70 in a Sharps or Rolling Block heavy 34 inch barrel weighing in at "heavy". Each allows lots of shooting without fatigue or pain

[WinMike]

Besides a few Sav. 24 combos, I've owned Browning 1885 Low Walls in 22 Hornet, .223 Rem, 243 Win, 260 Rem and (Traditional) .357 Mag. Also, Win 1885 in 30-30 & 45-70. I'm trying to quit, but still have the Hornet and .357, as I still need a .22 varmint rifle and a "rook & rabbit" rifle.

Of course, I shoulda' never sold the others.....

I must say the 1885 .357 is probably the most very versatile, since, unlike my repeaters, one can load anything from 38 Special wadcutters to .357 Mag 158 gr. JSP that match a 30-30''s ballistics to 200 gr. cast thumpers. And the traditional look, with its tang sight is great.

[Artful]

Well, I'm down to only a few single shots -
Thompson Center Contender - Encore just it's bigger brother - like catching a virus - you start then go into remission then it comes on again.
Caliber choices are many and you can go from short pistol to long barrel rifle - it's not the most bench rest friendly though.
Savage 24's - over unders - for hunting - woods walking you can't hardly beat 'em - I'll never sell my 22/20 gauge and am looking for 357/20 or 30-30/20 I can afford.
Ruger #3 - kept 223 and 375 Big Bore - bench rest friendly and good short carry guns. Ruger #1 is same basic action - they are heavy for their size but strong as a
bank vault. And keep their value.

Now the cheap side of me says - just haunt the local gun shops and see what comes up - 'cuz single shots do come out and generally the break open ones don't cost too much. The NEF seem to be good shooters - I've been looking at this 300 blackout Handi-rifle from AAC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kys3Lc9D0I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oNhJTQPGrU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dsm9H2JnrM

I would agree if casting 30 to 35 caliber is best and 30-30 or 357 magnum would be about right for a guy with gravel in his shoulder.

[StrawHat]

Husqvarna has made a few single shot bolt action rifles that are usually available for not too much money. I recall 25 WCF, 32 WCF, 30 WCF, 45-70 [and maybe 38 Special.] All weigh about 6 pounds and are good hunting rifles.

[hendere]

There hasn't been a single gun (no pun intended) shown here that I wouldn't want. But back to the reality of my paycheck, I have one of the H&Rs in 357 Mag and open sights, and it's more fun than should be allowed.

[WinMike]

Artful, here's a guy who wants to sell a M24 30-30/20g. Please buy it so I'm not tempted anymore....

http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?id=180203;article=40297

[BCRider]

There hasn't been a single gun (no pun intended) shown here that I wouldn't want. But back to the reality of my paycheck, I have one of the H&Rs in 357 Mag and open sights, and it's more fun than should be allowed.

I'm thinking that if I could find one up this way I'd replace the stocks to make it look more like the Buffalo Classic.

A .357Mag that can also shoot .38's and doing some long range plinking would be a bucket o' cheap smiles. Hell, I'd likely put a set of target peeps on it just to help out.

[K31Swiss]

I picked up an H&R Handi Rifle in 30-30. Great rifle with micro groove rifling. Comes with barrel sights to shoot right out of the box. Cheap to reload 30-30.

Wanted a gun with replaceable barrels. $254 from Bud's. less than half the price of an Encore. Got the scope rail and hammer extension for less than $20. Put a scope on, it's a real tack driver.

Going back to the factory in January for a $95 .357 barrel. Fun system to shoot and it doesn't punish your shoulder or wallet.

[Starvnhuntr]

I shot my new buffalo classic about 3 dozen times yesterday. i used .457 roundballs 3.0 grns. unique, and some very old rem. primers. by the way this is a 45-70. shot at 50 ft. several groups looked like one ragged hole. should work for possums

[derrickman]

Ifn you want a #1 in 45-70 I may know where one is for sale.
http://www.hotsa.org/

[Four Fingers of Death]

I have an Encore in 308W that has a spare Bull barrel in 17 Ackley Hornet. It is a nice rifle packs down easy and is available with BP barrels. The recoil is manageable with factory ammo and very bearable with cast. With the 17 is is pretty much non existant!

With your criteria, I would think a BP Encore or one in a smaller calibre. Even the 308W with cast boolit loads is pretty easy on the shoulder (and wallet).The rifle is easy on the eye as well, always a bonus.

The beauty of the Encore (or Contender) is that you can add barrels later, great bit of kit.

I saw a Generation 1 contender rifle in 30-30 NIB the other day (calm down, I live in Australia), that would be a neat rifle for you.

[reloaderman]

I've got an H&R Classic Carbine in 45Colt, and after shooting all other guns, I have to stifle a laugh every time I pull the trigger on this one. What a hoot !

[thegatman]

I have a H & R Handi in .308 which shoots great with Trailboss behind 150 grain boolit. Not a lot of fuss but a hoot to shoot.:bigsmyl2

[barnes-450]

Hi Dave,
First let me say that all these guys have great suggestions, and I guess you should tell us more about "The Gravel" for a truly fine tuned reply on what caliber would be best. With this said and the fact you mentioned the 45-70, I will vote for the Old War Horse!! There are many loads for this cartridge ranging from round ball to 500gn and up (way up) boolets. I also have a rather serious injury to my right upper arm and although I have shot most of the big bores, I have calmed down a bit in the past 10 years or so. I still cast and shoot the 45-70 and absolutely love it. If you were a bit closer you could try out a few of mine and make your decision based on a hands on evaluation. Anyway put my choice down as 45-70 in any rifle.......and while we are talking, why not build your own?....Take care and God bless.....barnes-450 P.S. Hello Buckshot!!!

[John Allen]

I have two Shiloh sharps they are both 45/70. Casting is easy with the big bullets and blackpowder is still reasonable. Case cleanup is easy with dish soap at the range in a Tupperware container. On a side note winded with vinegar is great for wiping the fouling from the bore.

[barnes-450]

Hello Dave...barnes-450 again. StrawHat has an excellent idea, over the past few years Husqvarna rifles (and shotguns) have been coming into the country in abundance. They are of excellent quality and still at a reasonable price. The single shot that StrawHat is recommending comes in a variety of calibers including the 32-20 (no recoil) 30-30 (some recoil I have one) and the 45-70 which as everyone has pointed out can be downloaded........ Take a look on the net you may fall in love (or maybe just a case of like) with this rascal! Take care and God bless............barnes-450

[Four Fingers of Death]

I saw those Husqvarna rifles on Simpson's site. Interesting looking guns,a lot of them were missing extractors (?) is this a fragile part on them? They wern't giving them away! Pulling good prices even in all sorts of broken/worn condition. I have never seen these in Australia (no prob,I have enough options to keep me poor).

They were also advertising a nice looking sporter in 8mm and they said it had a 'strengthened 96 action.' I wonder how they went about that?

[jburris2001]

I love my h&r. I have one action and with basic hand tools I have a 500s&w, 223, 22/250, and 22 rimfire barrels for it. Barrels are cheap when you find them, or you can send them to h&r and they will fit a barrel and ship it back to you for $140/barrel. really great and fun guns.

[High Desert Hunter]

http://http://www.gunblast.com/AAC-SS300.htm (http://www.gunblast.com/AAC-SS300.htm)

[Kansas Ed]

Probably the most fun one can have with a single shot comes in the Cimarron (Uberti) 1885 Lo-Wall package in .22 Hornet. I love mine, and it is a tack driver. Install a Marbles Tang Sight on it, with a fine bead and it will play all day.

My original 25-20SS Lo-Wall is my favorite walking gun, but you have to be a dedicated reloader for that round, and brass ain't cheap.

Ed

[Four Fingers of Death]

the Cimarron (Uberti) 1885 Lo-Wall package in .22 Hornet. Ed

Never seen one of those before, they would be nice!

[skeettx]

http://www.buffaloarms.com/1885_low_wall_sporting_rifles_pr-3947.aspx

[Four Fingers of Death]

http://www.buffaloarms.com/1885_low_wall_sporting_rifles_pr-3947.aspx

Thanks for that, lovely looking rifles. A 32/20 would be nice for long range pistol calibre rifle competition.

[Bent Ramrod]

Four Fingers,

A bunch of those little Husqvarna bolt action single shots came through some dealer in Arizona and an acquaintance went over to get one. He said that for some reason the bolts had been taken out of the rifles and shipped separately. The dealer matched a bolt back with the rifle, but the bolt held the extractor in the receiver, and they had fallen out and been lost when the bolts were removed. My acquaintance was able to make a replacement extractor.

[kopperl]

Just a note-30-30 and 38-55 brass are the same stuff.

[kopperl]

Never thought about drilling the case! Bet that will help (Me not the armadillo)

[Four Fingers of Death]

One rifle I forgot about is the CBC single shot. These came out in 22Hornet with a 22Ga barrel mostly, but I picked up a 32/20 for $100 in great condition. It is a bit plain looking, but accurate as all get out.

[dagger dog]

Gettin' back to Dave's op.

I have 2 dedicated single shots to tout.

#1, a Savage Model 40 Varmint Hunter which I shoot with a Lyman 225415 and Unique loaded to 22 LR velocities for plinking, or for serious varmint work it's 30 gr hp jwords from Barnes stepping out around 3000 fps. Minimum recoil means you can spot your own shots, a lb of powder lasts forever, ditto your lead, and it makes the shooter toe the line and make that first shot count. All that in a single shot makes for a real fun rifle !

#2, I just had to get a 45-70 to complement the Hornet, I like to take them both to the local public range and lay out 50 round blocks of each ammo on the table, it looks outlandish, maybe I'll get a 17 Hornet !

Any way I really wanted a Sharps replica, missed a couple used ones, one by just minutes,so I had to suck it up, count the $$$ that was in the gun fund and bought one of those real loooong barreled Handi's with the plastic trigger guard and fore end iron, the 1871 CR Buffalo Classic. Yeah I know They can't run with the big dogs,but hey a guys gotta do what a guys gotta do.

It is fun to the max, especially shooting BP, it bellows like a bull and kinda smells like the south bound end of one too, it LOBS boolits BIG ONES, like about a Hornet's nest full, (although you may need your own lead mine if you get serious), and it's pretty accurate, not pretty and accurate but kinda ugly and accurate.

The Williams reciever sight sat too far forward for me and my nearsightedness, so I mounted my Lyman #2 Tang on the tangless wrist of the BC, the through bolt in the stock dictates the length of the wood screws to mount the sight.

I didn't think it would be a solid mount,plus it didn't look right, so I coughed up another 70 bucks for a reasonable facsimile of a Creedmore sight,(thought it would go good on a 400$ rifle) made a false brass tang of 1/4" thick brass and semi-inletted that into the stock,with it set in epoxy and the short screws, drilled and tapped for the Creedmore.

My "gunsmithing" skills are kinda ugly too, but it works and it's beaucoup fun ! Here's a pic.56280

I missed the part about recoil,the 45-70 blackpowder loadings in the 60-65 grains of powder and a 400 gr bullet gives recoil I percieve in the 20 gauge high brass load WITH a recoil pad,and that's a little high. I'm able to shoot 35-40 rounds off sticks and a stool,with no brusing or gritty shoulder the next day.

[Four Fingers of Death]

That H&R looks pretty neat with 'a reasonable facsimile of a Creedmore sight.' I guess yo could call that a Creedless sight?? Lot of gun for the money!

[dagger dog]

Thanks Mick,

Yeah--- that's it a Creedless, A LOT LESS ! Have you seen the pricing on the high end Soule types, they cost more than my buff' classic ?

The one in the pic' is a Pedersoli from Track of the Wolf, it is the second from the bottom price of 60 $ US.

I was wanting a Hadley or Merit style adjustable aperture eye cup, but I have to get creative to make one work on the Creedless, the threading is different, and either one of those are about 100 $.

I have to stop watching "Quigley Down Under" so much, or my banker will put the squeeze on "Squigley Up Yonder" (me) !

[Col4570]

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s452/livebattery/32-40MartiniBlackPowderRifle003.jpg
This Martini in 32.40 is a nice low recoil shooter,with 40 grains Black.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Great movie,Dagger Dog, but I have yet to see anything with Tom Selleck that wasn't good and as for Ms Laura von JacModo or whatever her name is, she could just stand there and I'd be captivated, any further effort or input from her is just pure bonus, lol.

Sweet looking rifle Col4570. I notice the boolits and cases there, do you breech seat them?

I missed a 303Brit Martini the other day at the range the gun dealer who is a member of the club didn't want it (and didn't realise it's value apparently. It had an excellent bore (rare) and a bubber'ed mannlicher stock, which just needed a bit of a tidy up and a more suitable forend cap. Sold for $100! D'Oh!

[Starvnhuntr]

thanks dagger dog. my williams sight is creeping off the ramp on my b-f at 100 yds. i've been trying to think of the idea you just threw at me. it will get done A.S.A.P. I've done buisness with track of the wolf before. first class.

[march41]

Ive played with 45/70,50/70 and 40/65 all are great,But the 40/65 too me is the most fun and accurate.Both smokeless and black.