Hunting with a Single Shot
- Thread starter jackstrawIII
- Start date
ruggyh - why did you shoot that cub?
Used single shot shotguns for years upland bird hunting. You practice and you can get doubles in the field. Down to one in 410 ga. Wonderful little gun.
My Stevens Favorite in 22 lr is one of the most accurate guns I've ever shot.
Ruger #1V in 25-06 is a bit heavy but very accurate and I tote it into the woods every year during deer season. Never felt I was lacking in firepower.
Used single shot shotguns for years upland bird hunting. You practice and you can get doubles in the field. Down to one in 410 ga. Wonderful little gun.
My Stevens Favorite in 22 lr is one of the most accurate guns I've ever shot.
Ruger #1V in 25-06 is a bit heavy but very accurate and I tote it into the woods every year during deer season. Never felt I was lacking in firepower.
Only time I went hunting with a single shot, didn't see anything.
But yeah, lots of deer are killed with the humble muzzle loader even today. And I'm sure a great many animals were killed with even more primitive firearms.
With a single shot cartridge gun and practice you can reload much faster than with a muzzleloader. As long as you're not hunting dangerous game, and have the patience to wait for a clear shot you are confident you can make through the vitals, things you should really do with any firearm and you'll kill things effectively.
I've never needed more than 1 shot on a deer. The only one I shot twice went down right in front of me, and I wanted to get busy cleaning it before dark so I put a second one into the head instead of waiting, and a single shot would of done just as well.
But yeah, lots of deer are killed with the humble muzzle loader even today. And I'm sure a great many animals were killed with even more primitive firearms.
With a single shot cartridge gun and practice you can reload much faster than with a muzzleloader. As long as you're not hunting dangerous game, and have the patience to wait for a clear shot you are confident you can make through the vitals, things you should really do with any firearm and you'll kill things effectively.
I've never needed more than 1 shot on a deer. The only one I shot twice went down right in front of me, and I wanted to get busy cleaning it before dark so I put a second one into the head instead of waiting, and a single shot would of done just as well.
jackstrawIII
New member
Thanks for all the great comments everyone. Have enjoyed reading them.
Looks like a nice single shot is in my future!
Looks like a nice single shot is in my future!
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
Since my Father was a Farmer_Trapper_ and a highly qualified timber cruiser during my early childhood years. Dad he owned quite a few firearms.
I was loaned a favorite rifle of his and a few additional cartridges for its shooting every Fall to deer hunt with on those weekend {with the stipulation of} "Don't forget to pick up your spent brass." from about my age of 10 to 15.
Yup!! my hunting with Pop's preferred bear rifle _as it was known by our family.
Was a Winchester 1885 High Wall.
405 chambered. Having that rifle of his I toted thru some tight woods and across wet green swamps cradled in my arms. For a time that rifle even stood taller in stature than I did. No matter. Once aimed at the quarry._Brown was surely Down only because I didn't want to shoot that 1885 twice at the same animal. (a heavy recoil having to endure for any young'en barely weighing 50-60 lbs.)
So I quickly learned to be patient/ wait~~~and wait some more to make that first shot >my best shot.< __Dropping a deer on those old skidder trails in the evening behind the barn and pasture on a weekend. Seldom was I able to drag those deer home by myself. Luckily Dad had a team of horses for such retrieval. Two old plugs harnessed up we kids on occasion rode to school in the late Spring. Three of us riding on one horse bare back (molly) 3 miles to school. Many times molly arrived at school missing one of her passengers. >me. Thanks to my older siblings. Brother and nasty sister.
Boy could those old horses pull a deer or chokered tree/s in and out of some tight bush you wouldn't think to drive (ATVs or UTVs) in or thru. Recalling those times: "Those were some days"
I was loaned a favorite rifle of his and a few additional cartridges for its shooting every Fall to deer hunt with on those weekend {with the stipulation of} "Don't forget to pick up your spent brass." from about my age of 10 to 15.
Yup!! my hunting with Pop's preferred bear rifle _as it was known by our family.
Was a Winchester 1885 High Wall.
405 chambered. Having that rifle of his I toted thru some tight woods and across wet green swamps cradled in my arms. For a time that rifle even stood taller in stature than I did. No matter. Once aimed at the quarry._Brown was surely Down only because I didn't want to shoot that 1885 twice at the same animal. (a heavy recoil having to endure for any young'en barely weighing 50-60 lbs.)
So I quickly learned to be patient/ wait~~~and wait some more to make that first shot >my best shot.< __Dropping a deer on those old skidder trails in the evening behind the barn and pasture on a weekend. Seldom was I able to drag those deer home by myself. Luckily Dad had a team of horses for such retrieval. Two old plugs harnessed up we kids on occasion rode to school in the late Spring. Three of us riding on one horse bare back (molly) 3 miles to school. Many times molly arrived at school missing one of her passengers. >me. Thanks to my older siblings. Brother and nasty sister.
Boy could those old horses pull a deer or chokered tree/s in and out of some tight bush you wouldn't think to drive (ATVs or UTVs) in or thru. Recalling those times: "Those were some days"
A double on flying pigs with a single shot would be easier than a double on upland birds. Pigs are bigger and fly slower! 
Assuming you are both mentally and physically prepared and practiced, (and the gun has an EJECTOR) I found I could get reloaded cocked and back on target in roughly 3 seconds give or take (when I was 14-15) and on a bird flying away, 3seconds didn't always take it out of full choke range.
Assuming you are both mentally and physically prepared and practiced, (and the gun has an EJECTOR) I found I could get reloaded cocked and back on target in roughly 3 seconds give or take (when I was 14-15) and on a bird flying away, 3seconds didn't always take it out of full choke range.
I defy anybody using a single-shot shotgun, even with ejectors, to get a second aimed/pointed shot off at a second bird flushed at the same time (a "double"). I'm sorry, but a pig with wings would fly to his sty unscathed. Three seconds, give or take, would give any subsequent grouse, quail, woodcock or pheasant (flushed at the same time-a double) plenty of time to reach its sanctuary.
Gunplummer
New member
I used to just throw 4-5 cartridges in my pocket and head out. Usually just put 2 in the rifle. One year I was way back off even a dirt road and was attacked by a very large, rabid raccoon. It came hopping at me like a kangaroo. By the time I had the sense to just put the gun to hip level to shoot him, I was down to 1 round in my pocket. I really did not want to hunt with one round, so I started the long walk back. I did some thinking on that walk and now start out with a whole box when I head in. I have to think that all the posters that are nothing but "One shot kills" probably only carry one round into the woods with them. Am I right?
2damnold4this
New member
The last time I hunted turkey with my muzzleloader, I didn't carry a reload.
FrankenMauser
New member
I don't know if Gumplummer's sentiment is aimed at me, or not.
But, there's no way in hell that you'll catch me in the woods with a single 'round' for my primary firearm - whether it's a single-shot, smoke pole, shotgun, bolt-action, pump-action, revolver, or auto-loader.
I don't take the shot on game animals unless I know it's a kill shot.
But that doesn't mean that I'm arrogant and stupid. There's always a backup plan.
Heck...
A few years ago, I was carrying a .444 Marlin Handi-Rifle on an elk hunt and fired all of my .444-410 shot shells bagging grouse. That, alone, was enough for me to turn around and head back to camp. I didn't care that the primary loads for the primary quarry were still good to go (seven rounds, I think). I wanted to restock on the secondary stuff. Grouse are easier to find, easier to clean, easier to pack out, and easier to cook, anyway...
But, there's no way in hell that you'll catch me in the woods with a single 'round' for my primary firearm - whether it's a single-shot, smoke pole, shotgun, bolt-action, pump-action, revolver, or auto-loader.
I don't take the shot on game animals unless I know it's a kill shot.
But that doesn't mean that I'm arrogant and stupid. There's always a backup plan.
Heck...
A few years ago, I was carrying a .444 Marlin Handi-Rifle on an elk hunt and fired all of my .444-410 shot shells bagging grouse. That, alone, was enough for me to turn around and head back to camp. I didn't care that the primary loads for the primary quarry were still good to go (seven rounds, I think). I wanted to restock on the secondary stuff. Grouse are easier to find, easier to clean, easier to pack out, and easier to cook, anyway...
Gunplummer
New member
I just read into the "Pigs fly" argument. A minister that lived close to us when I was a kid used to hunt small game with us now and then. One day he flushed a bunch of pheasants (Wild, not the dumb chickens they stock now) to his left. He knocked down two cock birds with a S/S and two shots. I was hunting with my old man in a thick patch of woods and stepped on a pheasant. It was about shoulder high when I shot it. It was pure luck, but I shot the head off it. My father was looking the other way and never saw it, wondered what I shot at. It is amazing some of the shots you can pull off when there is no time to think.
As far as "Knowing it is a kill shot", I learned the hard way. The only deer I hit and lost with a rifle(That I know of) looked like a kill shot. I could have easily gotten a second shot in. Now, if the deer is still on all fours after the first shot, I shoot again.
As far as "Knowing it is a kill shot", I learned the hard way. The only deer I hit and lost with a rifle(That I know of) looked like a kill shot. I could have easily gotten a second shot in. Now, if the deer is still on all fours after the first shot, I shoot again.
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Blindstitch
New member
The dictionary definition of Pheasant should read the Bouncing Betty of all birds. I use to say Claymore but I guess I was using the wrong mine. Waits till the last possible second and blows up in your face.
I've shot a few at extremely close range doing this but most of the time the craziness gets the best of me. Usually they get about 10-15 yards out before i'm good to go.
The first one I ever shot flushed at my feet in tall grass with the dog looking a me like I was dumb.
I've shot a few at extremely close range doing this but most of the time the craziness gets the best of me. Usually they get about 10-15 yards out before i'm good to go.
The first one I ever shot flushed at my feet in tall grass with the dog looking a me like I was dumb.
MosinNOUGAT
New member
Pick up a Martini Henry if you can find one in good condition, they are powerful, single-shot, and just fun to shoot.
Gunplummer
New member
Yeah, all the wild birds are gone in PA. They used to be smarter than turkeys. Many times we actually had to step ON them. That gets your blood flowing.