Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Everyone's favorate caliber for single shot rifle

Having hunted with a single shot over the past few years in brush and open fields, my favorate caliber is the 7mmo8? What's everone elses?

7 mag or 280

Depends upon the type of single shot ...

I think the 25-06 is perfect in a heavy high wall (Browning 78) for prairie dogs, pronghorn and "beanfield" deer.

OTOH, I'd love to see a nice compact 6.5x55 falling block and muse on doing one in a custom low wall or Ruger 1 for a stalking rifle.

[color:"brown"]For a fine, classic rifle like a high-quality single shot rifle, I like a fine, classic caliber like the versatile 7x57 cartridge introduced in 1892.

While vastly under-loaded by most ammunition manufactures due to concerns over the ammo's use in very old 7mm Mauser rifles made in the early-to-mid-1890s, the modern 7x57 cartridge can, in Craig Boddington's opinion, slightly exceed the 7mm-08's performance when handloaded. (See Craig Boddington's article "CORNERSTONE Cartridges" in Guns & Ammo Magazine, October 2006, page 56)

I don't know about you, but if one of American's finest gun-writers (Craig Boddington) sez it, it's TRUE... as far as I'm concerned.

Naturally, such handloads should only be used in rifles made with modern steel capable of handling the higher chamber pressures of such loads. But let's level the playing field when comparing the 114 year old 7x57 cartridge to any modern cartridge. Once that is done, the 7x57 can hold it's own with any modern, high-intensity cartridge.

The 7x57, aka the "7mm Mauser", aka the ".275 Rigby", has taken all sizes of game from the smallest antelope weighing less than 100 pounds to the huge African bull elephant weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Yet, with normal loads, it is reported to have an almost "gentle" recoil.

Thus are my reasons for choosing the 7x57 cartridge as the one I prefer in my Ruger #1 International with it's classic Mannlicher-style stock... truly a classic cartridge in a very classic and beautiful single-shot rifle. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Ron, I couldn't agree more. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

As evidence, I present exhibit A, my own RSI 7x57, with an El Paso Weaver K2.5 mounted:


<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Liam

Ron_T;

As usual, I'm in total agreement. Things just don't get much better than the 7x57, and in a single-shot, few are more appropriate or classic.

Geez, guess I'll have to hop on the bandwagon.

My one and only Ruger #1 (third I've owned, just the only one I currently own) is a 1-A in 7X57. It shoots okay (see attached). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

So I guess that would be my favorite single shot caliber by default. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My favorite is the 7x57R, the rimmed version. Mine is in a CZ combination gun, but only one barrel is rifled so I count it.

No argument from me on the 7x57 mauser. I too have a #1A in that caliber. A very sweet rifle. However, I might go a bit farther, if I may. Another very nice version of the Ruger #1 is the #1S model which Ruger stupidly, in my not very humble opinion, discontinued. I wonder why? When that rifle came out, I wanted that very model. None of the gun stores I frequented could even find one in any caliber. Then, to add insult to ijury, Ruger felt that because the gun had iron sights, there was no need to furnish rings for your scope. You had to pay extra. No wonder they didn't sell well. Imagine a rifle in .300 Win. mag. for example with iron sights, but no rings for a scope.
The feel of a rifle is probably best decided by the one using the particular rifle. The #1S feels much better to me than the #1a, and I'd literally kill to have a #1S in 7x57. talk about the best of both worlds.
I collect #1s and have a few to choose from when a hunt comes up. The #1V in .223 weighs a country ton, but is extremely accurate even with Winchester white box ammo. The #1 Bs I have feel a bit clubby due to the beavertail forearm. The #1As are nice, but a bit too muzzle light to suit me, which is probably why I favor the #1S model as much as I do. The #1Hs weigh a ton, but considering the rounds they are chambered to, I guess the weight is necessary.
In my case, I would have to pick two rifles as favorites. The #1A in 7x57 and the #1S in .300 Win. mag. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
Paul B.

Same as my favorite handgun and bolt rifle.
22lr.
I am close to having a Ruger No.1 converted to 22lr.

[color:"brown"]Wow... such agreement among so many independent "thinkers" is meaningful!

Obviously, those of us who prefer Ruger #1's as well as prefering them in 7x57 are as "classic" as the rifle and the cartridge.

No "brag", just FACT, eh guys? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

merkel in 7 x 57. poetic.

I really like the 7x57 in the Ruger No.1, especially the RSI. But, I might just have the one being built in 7x75R Vom Hofe SE. Thinking real hard about it, but we'll see.

Anything in a 6.5 caliber, or a 45 caliber !
Cat

I'm of the opinion that single shots should be chambered in proper rimmed cartidges. I say this, even though I do own a No.1A 7X57, which I'm very fond of. My new favorite SS round is the 7X65R. After working up a load in a drilling so chambered; I'm pretty impressed with the ballistics, and look forward to shooting game with it. A close second would be the 9.3X74R.

Jeff

I once had nice #1 in .243. It is one of those guns I wish I still owned.pak

I have only three single shots, and I like them all. The first was a NEF Handi-rifle in 243 that I got for my wife. Bloodied it the second year on a large cow moose.

Second one is a H&R Buffalo Classic in 45-70. Absolute dream to shoot. And a real tack driver. Wish I could get a little more elevation out of the rear sight.

Third one is SO FAR my favourite. Ruger #1 in 405 winchester. Very pretty, very accurate, very powerful. Love it. Just got it this year and hope to put some blood on it in a few weeks.

[img][image]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/shootist/405andLeupy2Small.jpg[/img][/image]

Here is a 3 shot group with factory ammo at 100 yards. The Barnes X 300 grainers shoot better, but I don't have a pic.

[img][image]http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c350/shootist/First3shotwithLeupyWinCE.jpg[/img][/image]

[color:"brown"]WOW! Nice group, especially for .405 factory ammo! Your #1 is a real "shooter"! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />



Akjeff...

Yes, I agree. If one wanted to be an "absolute purist", one's #1 International would have to be in a rimmed 7x57... aka "7x57R"... which headspaces on the cartridges's rim rather than the cartridge's shoulder. Of course, in addition, one's #1 would have to be fitted with double-set triggers. Now THAT makes a completely "classic" single-shot rifle!

But for us "mere mortals", we'll just have to "make do" & suffer along with the straight 7x57 cartridge & a single trigger. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Ron,

I'm with you. My post assumed "ideal conditions". While my 7X57 is of the rimless variety, it's not going anywhere...I wonder if it can be reamed to 7X65R?? Where's that book on cartridge dimensions.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Jeff

I wish NEF would make the 358, 7x57, and 35 Rem in there single shot!!!!!!