Single Shot Actions: Who's running one and do I need one?

[Bully]

I currently have 2 projects in the works, a fast twist .223 repeater and a fast twist .243 repeater. I'm thinking that mid next year I should start a single shot build. I'm a fan of overbore calibers so it'll probably be something like a 22/47Lapua or some such. However caliber isn't important at all. The question is: who has a single shot, how do you like it, and do I need one?

 

[hollowoutadime]

I have a mid '90s circa Remington 40XB Rangemaster in 220 swift. 27" heavy bbl. 1:14 twist, likes 52gr. Came out of the custom shot with a .37" pattern. Turns prairie dogs into vapor trails.Definitely something to be said about high velocity and fragmentation.

 

[steve123]

I've had about 10 of them throughout the years but all I have are repeaters presently. The benchrest rifles were the ones I liked the best. I want to have built a Benchrest rifle again with a burly maple laminate stock. Thinking a polished Panda F-class action with Bix & Andy trigger. I really want that action in a drop port but then I'll be restricted to the BR sized cases. Always wanted a drop port and it drives me nuts that I haven't made that happen yet. Too many fun guns out there that get in the way!

 

[308220]

Currently waiting on my custom 6.5-284 Norma 26" tube to get done. Going on my Savage 112 single shot action. Got high hopes on this thing being an absolute tac driver. Every barrel ive screwed on that action has been 1/4 moa. Its replacing my 243. Just wanting more range/power.

Ive always had 1 single shot in my arsenal. Rate of fire may be slowed a bit, but never any feeding issues. Just keep sending them downrange! For single shots, I highly recommend this

https://www.shortactionprecision.com/products/sap-two-round-holder?variant=16599103110

 

[Dan1775]

I have three single-shot Coopers - M38 20Vartarg, M21 204 Ruger, and and M22 6.5-284. The 20 and 204 are bench varmint shooters and I much favor a single shot over a bolt-action repeater for that application. It is occasionally annoying to have to break position for a follow-up shot, but on the other hand I can keep up a steady shooting pace without stopping to recharge or change a magazine. I can also control my spent brass much easier.

The 6.5-284 is my 1000yd steel-shooting rig, although I do entertain thoughts of one day using it to hunt pronghorn. Considering the type of hunting that is, I don't think I would be much disadvantaged. From a field position where I can keep the rifle in my shoulder, I can load pretty quickly with my support hand by going under the receiver (think of single loading a pump shotgun), without needing to break position much. I will say though, that for a steel banger, sometimes I wish it were a repeater like my 308. I miss a lot though...

If you're a handloader, the single shot has the significant advantage of not requiring loading to magazine length. Of course you can single load a repeater but that kind of defeats the purpose.

Overall, I enjoy my single shots for their simplicity and the level of control I have over them. I'd say that if you are looking for a prone or bench shooter, hunting varmints or long-range, and if you handload, then a single shot bolt is a great choice.

HTH,
Dan

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

I've had about 10 of them throughout the years but all I have are repeaters presently. The benchrest rifles were the ones I liked the best. I want to have built a Benchrest rifle again with a burly maple laminate stock. Thinking a polished Panda F-class action with Bix & Andy trigger. I really want that action in a drop port but then I'll be restricted to the BR sized cases. Always wanted a drop port and it drives me nuts that I haven't made that happen yet. Too many fun guns out there that get in the way!

Whos yout preferred BR smith? Been liking what Im seeing churned out by Mr Alex Wheeler lately...but otherwise I think Id go with Mr Jim Borden as Ive heard his builds are second to NONE.

 

[my human host]

I have a Savage target action and Remington XR100. I've had several 6BR barrels on the Remington and done some of my best shooting with it. The Savage shot well with the 22-243 barrel I had on it, but I've never really taken a liking to it.

Easier to bed than a repeater.
Able to be able to swap calibers without feeding concerns.

That having been said, my repeaters see far more use because I mostly shoot steel these days.

 

[Bully]

Thanks all.
The cons are pretty much what I expected them to be and the pros are in line with what I would want. Looks like I'll be on the hunt for one shortly after the new year.

 

[steve123]

Whos your preferred BR smith? Been liking what Im seeing churned out by Mr Alex Wheeler lately...but otherwise I think Id go with Mr Jim Borden as Ive heard his builds are second to NONE.

I don't really have one but Alex is a consideration.

Another GS I've wanted to try is Gary OCock, he's only a couple hours away from me and I like that Marsh Sahuaro action. Twice now over the last 10 years I almost had him build me a benchrest rifle but the repeaters won out instead. I'm just about getting too old for tactical matches so at some point in the not too distant future I'd like to try benchrest comps, which previously have seemed slow paced enough that I thought it would be boring.

Dishonorable mention is Bob Dodd, the GS who made the RFD action. He ripped me off one time so I'm mentioning him special, as someone to avoid.

 

[surgeon260]

I don't currently own a single shot, but when I am on the bench I tend to run all of my mag fed rifles single shot just to baby my expensive Lapua/Norma brass. When I am in the field that is a different story.

I have dreamed for years about a .338 Lapua AI built on a Surgeon XL single shot receiver. Flatlines loaded to 4"+ COAL. Some day...

 

[schmi015]

I had a bolt action .308 single shot that i sold, and currently have a cheytac variant thats pretty heavy but don't think i would do single shots again with exception to the ruger #1 have. There is just something unique about that action.

 

[Tyler Kemp]

I have a 338 Lapua Improved single shot, a 223 F/TR single shot, a 308 F/TR single shot, and some break opens. Basically make your shot count! I think it's rewarding, and if you chamber for it there's the option for super long OAL and velocities.

 

[Fursniper]

I have a 338 LM Improved on a single feed Stiller Tac 338 action and love it. For an uber strong accurate action you cant beat a single feed set up especially if you want to load very long. I think a lot of people dont understand how fast a single feed can be run either. Outside of a PRS style competition, it'll do anything I can do with my repeaters!

 

[Triggerf16]

Hall Action 223AI. McMillan McHale stock. 1:8 twist barrel.

BAT 3L action 6mmBR. 1:8 twist Bartlein. Custom laminate stock. .263 neck chamber.

Both are single shots, and both are very accurate

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I shoot many of my rifles as single shots, even though they are usually repeaters. I employ either a single shot magazine follower, or a SLED (Single Loading Enhancement Device). I find that the BOB Sled and Satern single shot followers I use in my AR's work very well when combined with a BAD (Battery Assist Device) Lever.

I feel that maintaining additional single shot rifles is probably a redundancy.

Greg

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Revisiting, the expected advantage with a single shot action is better accuracy, because the omission of the magazine cut results in a less flexible one.

While this is unquestionably true, it may not result in a significant difference in achievable accuracy, because the action stiffness may not be the critical component that detracts from accuracy. The amount of energy being generated by the shot has a bearing, but it may (again) not be the critical factor.

In applications where purest accuracy at any cost is the prime criterion (I.e., Benchrest), the difference would be a matter of thousandths of an inch on the target, and for BR, that can be significant. For other applications, dealing with more practical criteria, it may not make a significant difference (I.e., would the Prairie Dog seriously notice that the bullet that just took out most of him was being fired from a 1MOA rifle or a 1/2MAO rifle?).

I don't shoot BR, and this is why I do not covet single shot actions.

Greg

 

[Bully]

Revisiting, the expected advantage with a single shot action is better accuracy, because the omission of the magazine cut results in a less flexible one.

While this is unquestionably true, it may not result in a significant difference in achievable accuracy, because the action stiffness may not be the critical component that detracts from accuracy. The amount of energy being generated by the shot has a bearing, but it may (again) not be the critical factor.

In applications where purest accuracy at any cost is the prime criterion (I.e., Benchrest), the difference would be a matter of thousandths of an inch on the target, and for BR, that can be significant. For other applications, dealing with more practical criteria, it may not make a significant difference (I.e., would the Prairie Dog seriously notice that the bullet that just took out most of him was being fired from a 1MOA rifle or a 1/2MAO rifle?).

I don't shoot BR, and this is why I do not covet single shot actions.

Greg

Greg.
Thank you for the well thought out reply. Although I don’t shoot BR (or,really,compete at all) I think I want one simply for the simplicity of it all.
no mags
smooth feeding
load long
just nice and relaxed good times
As far as accuracy, I can use as much help as I can find.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I agree, but I also like options.

A magazine rifle with a single-shot follower will be easier to find, may be cheaper, and will have a decent resale while allowing longer than magazine length rounds to operate just like a dedicated single shot action. Honestly, I can imagine few easier approaches.

The single-shot follower is what the original SH Ghost Dancer .260 has been using (most of the time) since 2000. A five-minute swap restores the magazine function whenever I have needed it.

I have made a pastime out of developing accuracy from the humble factory rifle, and would be very happy to dialogue with you on helping yours along.

Greg

 

[Bully]

I agree, but I also like options.

A magazine rifle with a single-shot follower will be easier to find, may be cheaper, and will have a decent resale while allowing longer than magazine length rounds to operate just like a dedicated single shot action. Honestly, I can imagine few easier approaches.

The single-shot follower is what the original SH Ghost Dancer .260 has been using (most of the time) since 2000. A five-minute swap restores the magazine function whenever I have needed it.

I have made a pastime out of developing accuracy from the humble factory rifle, and would be very happy to dialogue with you on helping yours along.

Greg

Thank you. I may take you up on that.

 

[Rust]

Depends on what you want to use the rifle for. If it is for a field rifle (hunting, varminting and general shooting) a repeater is my recommendation. You can start with a factory action which is fine but in recent years, ok the last twenty or so I've been progressively more disappointed with factory actions in particular the 700s. I figure I shouldn't have to sleeve a bolt to get a center hit on a primer, or find I can't use a one piece base the receiver is so far off. If I build another repeater it will be on an aftermarket receiver.

For action shooting like PRS, if you want to go bolt action you have to go repeater. Getting started one of the factory PRS style rifles will get you going and they can be upgraded with barrels, triggers and such. High end factory rifles such as an AI are an option as a step up. And of course full on customs are the final step.

For things like F-TR and F/Open single shots are pretty much the order of the day. Savage makes turn key rifles for both and are easily upgraded. Bench rest at any competitive level is single shot. A single shot receiver is stiffer, has a much greater bedding area, and any aftermarket action should be finished to much tighter tolerances.

I've built a few competition rifles over the years and can say that going full custom eliminates having to correct the issues typically found in factory receivers.

 

[steve123]

Bully, you mentioned you want the most accuracy you can find, well here's a tip.

I forgot to mention earlier, that the benchrest actions in a benchrest stock with 3" wide flat forend, coupled with a good front 3" wide bag in a mechanical rest and good rear bag will greatly aide consistent accuracy. Most of the reason is that the stock will track straight back and that there's little to no torque imposed on the rifle as it fires.

 

[Bully]

Bully, you mentioned you want the most accuracy you can find, well here's a tip.

I forgot to mention earlier, that the benchrest actions in a benchrest stock with 3" wide flat forend, coupled with a good front 3" wide bag in a mechanical rest and good rear bag will greatly aide consistent accuracy. Most of the reason is that the stock will track straight back and that there's little to no torque imposed on the rifle as it fires.

I'm not looking for "the most accuracy" my response was simply to imply that I can use as much help as I can find in the accuracy department. I'm not a competitor. A benchrest or "belly benchrest" set-up isn't something that I'm looking to buy or get into.
Mostly I'm looking to get into a single shot because of the simplicity of the mechanism. No mags and such. No hassle with long loadings. That more than ultimate accuracy is the reason for my interest. Especially because I'm looking to purchase a R700 single shot rather than a custom/semi-custom. I'll be truing it up myself as a learning experience.