Good single shot centerfires?
 

Wanted to add a single shot deer rifle to my arsenal....I never really looked into these guns much, I was wondering if anyone has had good expeirience with em and what make/model they were........

What do you want to spend?

If money isn't an object, then the Ruger #1 would be my first choice.

If I were on a tight budget, I'd look at the H&R Handi-Rifles.

Mike

Critical - Driftrider hit the nail on the head. The H&R isn't very pretty but I they can shoot and shoot well. The Ruger #1 has nice sleek lines and is also a good shooter. But it costs quite a bit more than the H&R.
A lot of people like the Encore but I could never get the 2 I had to shoot very well. One I had sent back to T/C twice and still couldn't get it shooting.
If I were to pick a single shot it would definately be the Ruger #1. Now, picking a chambering would be the hardest part.

I recommend the Handi-Rifle and an additional barrel or two to make the chambering choice a little easier.:biggrin:

what about the Apex?????? I can never get any response on how they shoot!

I recently bought a Youth Handi-Rifle in .243 for my daughter to use. I'm impressed by the accuracy, but have yet to shoot a deer with it.

The Apex hasn't been out that long, so there's a good chance that no one here has owned one yet. The last time I was at Scheel's, who's got the biggest gun selection in this area, I checked to see if they had them yet just to fondle one, but they did not.

So, either be patient and wait until someone happens along that has one, or just go buy one and then you can be the first to give us a detailed range report! ;)

Mike

I currently shoot (and have killed game) with an H&R .308 w/ a Nikon Pro-Staff on it. It's a great little gun, cheap, dependable. I think I paid about $200.00 for it about 2 years ago. The only thing I don't like about the gun was the base mount gap in the front section when mounting a scope, you CAN bow the mount if you tighten the front screw down too hard, so if you purchase a Weaver base for it, be watchful of the gap!

im in the market for a ruger number 1 international right now. i dont expect it to shoot like a bolt gun but im plenty happy with 1.5-2 moa which my father gets from his early no.1 int. actualy 1.5-2 moa is pretty good for a mannlicher stocked falling block rifle.

lol did i see rossi 223 yet?

I know Im one of the few around here...but I love my TC Encore.

your not the only one who loves tc. i dont have the encore but i love my tc white moutain carbine

Hey I also like my TC Pro-Hunter

browning 78
 

is hard to beat

I've always been a Ruger fan so I vote for the #1.Classy is always a nice attribute.

I heard the Encore's aren't that accurate?......That makes it hard to want for me...but maybe that guy had fluke bad luck...(he said both encores were the same though)

they have 2 problems. the first is that like all singles they have non floating barrels so encores (and all other singles) benefit from a GOOD quality bedding by a gunsmith (not no basement job, rifles like the encore need perfection) but most guys out there get good fitting. another problem is the pin, it can sometimes drift side to side effecting the point of impact. both of those are easy fixes that often never become a problem. of course most of the guys on the forums who have good ones dont go around bragging about the good accuracy. but when somebody gets one thats got a small flaw they will make a million posts about how bad they shoot when most of them do shoot well but they make the minority look like a majority. they are very accurate rifles for the design and applications, its just that guys get pissed when a rifle dont shoot so they dont shut up about it or try anything to fix it.

TC, the best 200.00 rifle 700.00 can buy.

Spend the money and get the Ruger #1. You'll be a happy camper.

+1 Ruger #1. Also, I just picked up a Winchester Low Wall in .243. It is a DREAM to carry and shoot. It's very accurate also. If you've got big bucks, there are several customs out there or even a Dakota Model 10.

Of rifles that are currently made (and if money is no problem) the Ruger No. 1 is the one for you, although the H and R looks like a nice little gun (especially for the price).

I have a TCR '83 (No longer made), however, there are time one can find its less glamorous sister the TCR '87 (also no longer made) at a Gun Show. My rifle shoots (and places) like a dream. Futher, this was made back when Thompson Center was privately owned (now a subsidiary of Smith and Wesson???).

Of rifles that are currently made (and if money is no problem) the Ruger No. 1 is the one for you, although the H and R looks like a nice little gun (especially for the price).

I have a TCR '83 (No longer made), however, there are time one can find its less glamorous sister the TCR '87 (also no longer made) at a Gun Show. My rifle shoots (and places) like a dream. Futher, this was made back when Thompson Center was privately owned (now a subsidiary of Smith and Wesson???).

the handi rifle may be the cheapest one you can buy,but the triggers are usually really bad on those guns.

I like my T/C and this guy hit it on the dot as far as I am concerned.

I'm certainly no authority on the TC Encore, because I have never owned one..However, many of my friends have them, and It seems like many of them have complained about accuracy problems...

Actually, the main reason I would never buy one is because, in my opinion, they are one of the UGLIEST rifles ever designed...:biggrin:... If I had a DOG that ugly, I'd shave his butt and make him walk backwards..

Fortunately , beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but to my eye, the Encore is uglier than a side order of <expletive deleted>...!!...

The Ruger # 1, on the other hand, is one classy looking rifle...That would be my choice, should I opt to purchase a single shot...

It's all good
 

I own five CF single shots. The Handi-rifle by H&R/NEF, a Ruger #1, a T/C Encore, a T/C Contender, and a Browning 1885 Hi-Wall.
I'm happy with all of them. No complaints. They are all good shooters.
Best buy is the H&R. Most versatile is the Encore. Prettiest is a toss-up between the Ruger and the Browning.
Accuracy - if I do my part, I hit what I'm aiming at with every one of them.
Pete

I love my Encore. I have a custom shop rifle barrel chambered in the smokin 264 Win mag and I have had no problem shooting yotes, pigs and deer past 200 yards. I have yet to try benching the rifle and playing at 500, but as far as bringing meat home, I love it!

Well, I have a H&R and I also have a rossi combo. The rossi combo is a 20 gage and a 223, the rossi is reasonably accurate and the 20 gage seem sjust fine. When I say reasonably accurate, I am saying I can get about 1.5 moa out of it regularly with 55 grain FMJ's.
The handi rifle I bought was originally a 243. It was and is a sub moa rifle. It doesnt like hand loads. The extractor has issues getting handloads out of the chamber. Many 243's seemed to have this problem in handi rifles.
I sent the handi rifle off about 9 months ago to get a 45-70 barrel fitted. The accessory barrel fits better than the stock 243. It is really accurate. As accurate as my marlin 1895. So, I give the nod to the handi rifle if I had to choose. The Rossi barrel is thinner and seems like it has less workmanship in it.

I always prefer bolt rifles (unless were talking about levers) but I like any old rifle. In fact, I bought the handi and rossi when I had to buy a rifle but couldnt afford a bolt.
EJ

I have always wanted a Ruger # 1, for all the reasons everyone else says. Waiting for my wife to buy if for me...been waiting a long time...
I know two different professional gun smiths who have love affairs with the HR Handi rifles. They are so bombproof simple, carry so nice, and are accurate to boot. Remember, anything other than a single shot only carries extra shells for you, and adds the weight as a penalty. After the first shot, who cares? Caliber is what ever you like. It makes no difference in choice for a single shot. Why would you plan differently for a magazine rifle?

To answer your question. My .50 cal apex shoots GREAT! It really is one SWEET gun. Was never a huge cva fan(always owned Knight's and t/c's and thought they were of much better quality) until I shouldered this gun. Everything about this gun is TOP SHELF. I ain't kiddin' ya. Just got the 25'' stainless .243 bull barrel for coyotes. I haven't shot the .243 yet(muzzleloader starts this wkend), but when I do I'll let ya know. I have a feeling it's gonna be pure poison for them song dogs

Another vote for the Ruger #1.Pricey but worth the cost.

I have shot with the encore since i started hunting 4 years ago and killed my first deer with it from 200 yards. And ive also killed 2 of my 4 bucks with it. Ive never had any problems with it its a great rifle overall IMO. But i wont be using it any longer because ive switched to savage because i did not like the single shot deal and wanted to get a bolt action.