Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Single shot rifle- best all around cartridge- tell me!

I am going to purchase a single shot rifle, Ruger 1, Dakota model 10 or similar and I am looking for opinions, as we all know, everyone has one.

What would be an ideal all around cartridge for whitetail, mule deer, black bear, maybe an Elk if the opportunity comes, but not necessarily. Also what about barrel length? I am going to have a custom barrel made.

Keep in mind I don't really want any cambering over a 30-06 as this rife will weight about 7 lbs all up when I'm finished, and as i get older I just don't care to get beat up as much at the bench, even though you don't feel it when you pull the trigger on an animal (at least I don't). I do quite a bit of shooting out to 400 yds or so.

I have bolt action/lever action in- .223, 260 Rem, 6.5 CM, 6.5x55 swede, 284 Win, 7mm-08, 280 Rem, 280 AI, 308 win, 35 Whelen, and 45/70. - Yes, I hand load also.


GO…...

For me, and it covers your needs quite well also, it's a Browning 1885 in 7 Rem Mag.

Well I run a few Ruger #1s in various calibers and I like he "S" model the best as far as looks go. However even the "A" model is a tad heavy. My favorite in the "A" is in 7x57. My "S" is a .300 Win' Mag. The actions on the #1 are rather heavy. My Browning B70 is in 30-06 and it too is heavier than I now care for.

The two cartridges I have interest in these days are the 7x57 and .280 Remington. I can easily get 7-08 velocity from my Winchester M70 Featherweight and even slightly surpass them with some loads. My .280 is a tad on the heavy side but is very accurate.

Probably if money were no object, I'd look at a Dakota in say 7x57 or maybe .the .280 and not look back. Then there are the European single shots but like the Dakota way to pricey for my pocket book. I can still dream though. Good luck on finding exactly what you want.
Paul B.

You can get a Merkel K3 in 7-08, complete with Swarovski scope and mounts for about $4500, list price. That would do it all in the lower 48, and is light, accurate, and classy. Not a bad way to go if you get tired of futzing around with this and that and just want to go hunting. Not quite there yet myself, but it could happen.

30-06 gets my vote

No sure what your budget is, but someone here had a beautiful single shot in 7mm-08 for sale not that long ago that I don’t believe sold. I believe it was a Dakota Model 10, but for the life of me can’t remember who the seller was.

I would go with a .270, .280, or .30 06 on a platform like that.

Jack

I can't comment on the Dakota Model 10, as I've never availed myself of the opportunity to purchase one.

However...........



Top: Merkel K1, half stock, 9.3 x 74 R

Bottom Merkel K1, Jagd Stutzen, 7mm-08


The Merkel K1/K3 half stocks and the Jagd Stutzens will be your lightest rifles






Merkel K3 Extrem in 270 Win, 20" BBL, 6 lb's +

I generally prefer the K1's as they feature the Recknagel twist mounts (purely personal preference).

The K3's have the Blaser style saddle mount.



Each can be broken down, removed and re-attached, maintaining zero.




Luxus M11, LT. 280 Rem.





Blaser K95's,

30-06 Springfield, top

270 Win., bottom,



under 7 lbs. with scope




Your Browning High Wall (this one is 45-70)



or B 78 (300 H&H)



will be +/- 9lbs.

The Merkel's have a pull weight selectable trigger that has 3 settings.



It is located on the left side at the rear of the trigger guard.


The Blaser triggers are super sweet but not selectable on the fly. The Highwall and B-78 triggers will be the heaviest, but could be sent to Lee Shaver for adjusment/fine tuning.

I used to say my Merkels wanted to be Blasers when they grew up, but the little K3 Extrem is right up there with my K-95 in 30-06 Springfield.

The Merkels and Blasers are a joy to carry in the field and balance perfectly. Both lock up like a vault. Catch the fatty part of your skin between your thumb and index finger when you close the action, and you'll see what I mean.

ya!

GWB

There are some Ruger #1's that came in 9.3x74R lots of power for anything and rimmed cartridges and single shots are made for each other.

7x57...duh...

That's never a bad choice.



But this gets my vote.

In a Dakota 10.

Double "duh".

3006 or as it is some times called 300 whelen

.338 WM! Never mind......I only read as far as “Best all Around”! ;)memtb

Since you mentioned a .30-06 and a .35 Whelen, either would be good, how about splitting the difference!?! I'm suggesting a .338-06!

I think it's a great opportunity to go rimmed.

I couldn't agree more! How about a 7x57R, 348 Win, or a 30-40 Krag?

Thanks, Dinny

https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...odel-10-7mm-08.cfm?gun_id=101293153#lg-8

a sweet one!

ya!

GWB

I like my No.1B in .280 Rem

I carried a 1B in 300 Wby, loved it. If I had to do it over, I’d go .280.



P