I have a Ruger No. 1 in 458 Win. Mag. and just love the gun. To me it is probable one of the most beautiful , should I use that word to describe a gun, actions ever made.

Even though the No. 1 looks and handles just great I have my doubts if I would want to use it for dangerous game hunting where a quick follow up shot might be needed to stop a charge. I'm sure some of you could keep your cool in a situation like that and probable get the second shot off faster than some can using a bolt gun, but I don't know if I could.

How do most of you feel about the No.1 and dangerous game ?

Thanks Bill

Don't do it unless your guide is behind you with a repeating rifle. I don't know if you've ever been near a big bear or involved in a bear attack, but they can change the way you look at animals that are higher on the food chain than you.

I certianly agree on your views of the #1. I have a #1B in 243 that I use for coyotes and squirrels and that my grandbaby is going to use for deer next year.

I'd always wanted one and never got one til about a year and a half ago. Found this one in a pawn shop and liked the wood. It was built in 1979 and does inch groups at a hundred. Not as accurate as my sons Rem 700 heavy bbl VLS, but more accurate than I can hold most times.

Faucettb, that is a very pretty peice of wood you have on that No.1. Back in the 60's - 80's Ruger really had some nice wood on their No.1's but you just can't find those kind of stocks on the No.1's they make now. I think I bought my 458 in the early 90's and the wood is no where close to what you have on yours.

So your opinion is that I should keep the No. 1 in the safe if I want to hunt dangerous game.

Bill

Nope, I would not hesitate to use it if I had the proper backup that I could trust. Most of the dangerous game hunted, especially the big bears requires a guide. In Alaska that guide will probably be armed with a .338, .375, .416 or bigger bolt rifle.

I can't tell you about Africa, but I spent five years in Alaska and unless your a resident your going to be required to have a guide.

That fella taking you hunting is there to assure your safety. Your now more undergunned with that 458 single shot than a bow hunter or a muzzle loader hunter.

If your a careful shot and listen to your guide your probably not going to get into trouble.

what I said was don't do it unless you had proper backup. Ever once in a while a hunter gets killed by a big bear, it's a shame, but it happens. Being prepared means having someone there with enough weapon that can help assure that you don't become one of those folks.

I sure lucked on to a nice piece of wood and for my first #1 too. This came out of an estate sale for one of Speer's exec's that died. There was also a beautiful 458 there also, but I just could not come up with the cash for both of them.

WBill,
I agree with Bob. Even though I'm one of Ruger's biggest fans of their No.1 line. I've carried mine on dangerous game (bears) hunts, but have never been comfortable doing that. When in Zim this year, we were accosted by elephants and cape buffalo on several different occasions, and the No.1 didn't feel right in my hands being a single shot. Of course the chambering wasn't elephant medicine either, but the fact it being a single shot wasn't comforting. I use the typical, two cartridges between the fingers on my left hand and one up the spout when on the final stalk and have gotten pretty dang quick reloading after the shot, but it still isn't as much of a sure thing as CRF bolt gun or double rifle.

Dangerous game hunting is called dangerous for a reason and I don't think there is any reason to add to that. A bolt gun or double rifle is a much better option in my opinion.

Just a thought. There was a time when hunters went after dangerous game with not just single shot rifles, but muzzle-loading single shot rifles. One can only wonder how invincible these hunters of old would have felt with a #1 .458 or even 30-06?

Welcome to the forum Cliff.

Your absolutly right in what you say, but, there was a time when armys lined up and marched into massed rifle fire also. When we look back on those times we use those incidents as lessons in how to conduct our lives now.

Fact is though dangerous game can be killed with single shot weapons, be it a bow and arrow or a muzzle loader safety dictates some care. That care is having backup that insures you are able to continue providing for your family. And I know folks that take the best precautions sometimes fall pray to accidents too.

At my age I often wonder at the sanity of folks that take their life in their hands doing some of the dangerous things folks do like base jumping and mountian climbing. In fact I often wonder at my own sanity thinking back on some of the things I've done in my past.

I remember reading some of Lewis and Clarks Journals on their first meeting with the western Grizzly bear and the ease in which they killed it, then finding the second one was much harder to kill.

Welcome again and please don't think I was doing any kind of put down of your post. I just read an article in one of the gun magazines about a young fella killing a monster Brown bear in Alaska with a .54 cal muzzle loader and cought myself thinking how much fun that would be.

There's still the old debate as to whether "magazine" rifles (much less single-shots) are any good with dangerous game. Americans take bolt guns for granted, but most African hunters preferred double guns for the stuff with teeth, claws and big feet.

I have no experience in this kind of hunting, but if I were relying on the another for follow-up, I'd look him hard in the eye to make sure he's up to the task.

Bob, thanks for the kind words and not that you accused me of it, but I was in no way advocating hunting dangerous game with a muzzle loader or even alone with any kind of rifle. I made the statement more or less out of admiration for those brave souls who paved the way.

As an avid reader of pre WWII African hunting, the exploits of some of these guys are almost beyond belief.

Having said this, part of the thrill of hunting dangerous game is, needless to say, the danger -- regard for life, limb and family security notwithstanding. Personally, I suspect the actual danger involved in present day African hunting is more imagined than factual. A professional hunter can't allow too many of his clients to be eaten before it begins to affect his bottom line.

I certainly would have liked to have experienced the Africa of Taylor, Bell, Selous, Stigand and the like. Those days are gone forever but they must have been fantastic.

One thing to remember about guys like Selous, et al during those single shot years is they had gunbearers and carried multiple firearms. Instead of reloading on a wounded animal, they would be handed a fresh rifle that was already loaded. Much faster. Given a choice, I don't think any of them would have used a single shot if they had an option.

There are several reasons that we don't see singleshots or muzzleloaders as prevalent today as they were when that was all that was available. Firepower is probably the biggest factor.

Always thought highly of the several #1's previously owned. Would have to say, they were regarded as stand or stalking rifles meant to be used for non-alerted, standing game.

I'm aware a skilled marksman can manipulate a single shot just about as fast as the average bolt gun user, but I'm not one of them.

When I shot my eland (3 shots in succession) in Zim, the PH said that I shot the Ruger No.1 as fast as anyone he'd seen shoot a bolt gun. A few days later, I put 2 rounds in succession into an Nyala with the M70 and he mentioned that as fast as he thought I shot the No.1, I was faster with the bolt. The comments were more about most clients "admiring" their shots, instead of following up, but a single shot can be quick if the shooter practices. Not quite as fast as a practiced magazine rifle shooter though.

Of course, he could have been trying to increase his tip! Although I did receive some comments about the neck shot kudu that were not real complimentary! :D

Just a thought. There was a time when hunters went after dangerous game with not just single shot rifles, but muzzle-loading single shot rifles. One can only wonder how invincible these hunters of old would have felt with a #1 .458 or even 30-06?

I'm sure those fellows would have had a bigger rifle if there had been one available. If they could have gotten their hands on a 460 Weatherby they would have had one. If they could have carried a M-2 Heavy Barrel Browning they would have had that also. I hunt with a Ruger #1 RSI here in Alabama and find no fault with it as a deer rifle. But as stated above, I would want a good back-up shooter with one as a dangerous game piece.

A friend of mine in the firearms business stated it guite clearly," With a single shot rifle it's Bang!! now come eat me".

I can't speak for the #1 but I do own a 45-70 highwall which is not all that different an animal. Getting in the practice of holding one fresh round in either or the right/left hand between the fingers so that the rim is facing the palm, one can get to reload quickly. I shoot right handed and hold the spare round in my right hand between the middle and ring fingers. Takes a little getting used to but if you shoot all your practice in this manner, it become a natural thing and does not interfere with shooting. I keep my rifle shouldered and raise the muzzle when opening the action which aids in removing the empty case which I hook/sweep out with the index and middle fingers and let slide out over the stock and fall away. Roll the hand a little while bringing the muzzle down and the new round goes right in. By keeping the butt on your shoulder, you cut down movements and are able to come right back on target quickly.

Call me a fool if you will but I have no fear of hunting any game with either my highwall or my ML's, both burning blackpowder too. When legal I carry my 45LC, also BP loads and when not, I keep my hawk handy. When my time comes, there ain't nothing I'm going to be able to do about and if it's my destiny to loose during a hunt...so be it but it's not going to stop me from hunting with what I choose to.

I have a #1 in .375 and I briefly thought about taking it to Africa. The trip is still in the planning stages, but the that rifle is staying home.
Alyeska, I practice and use it the same way, two rounds between the fingers of my left hand while shooting, for quick reloads. It is not as fast as I can shoot and reload a bolt gun though. For something that might eat, stomp, gore me it isn't quite fast enough, and even then I might not be fast enough, but at least I tried to put things more in my favor.

I agree about the speed and there is too many moments where a "misstep" is too easy to happen. The bolt takes a lot of those opportunities for failure out of the equation, such as dropping the round as you transfer it from one hand to the other, or not getting it into the chamber the first try.

Yep, it doesn't quite follow the K.I.S.S. principle with the extra steps, does it? If you only need that one shot they are fabulous. But if something goes bad with Mr. Buff... I want my M77 Magnum instead.

I still really like it for black bear :)

http://www.african-hunter.com/bolt_action_vs_double.htm

I hope this question will not be misconstrued by those it is directed to. I am simply curious as to why anyone intending to hunt potentially dangerous animals would purchase a single shot rifle in .375, for example, if they didn't trust a single shot to get the job done efficiently?

Frankly, if I could maintain a reasonably safe distance between myself and the biggest, most ferocious brute on God's green Earth, I would have absolute confidence in the ability of a single shot .375 to kill cleanly and quickly. But I would not trust a single shot in any caliber in dense cover at close quarters when hunting something that could tear me limb from limb with the greatest of ease. :)

If you're in dense cover and close quarters would you be able to get more than a single shot off anyway? Maybe two if you had a double? I'm not sure you could get a bolt action manipulated fast enough if you're that close.

If you're in dense cover and close quarters would you be able to get more than a single shot off anyway? Maybe two if you had a double? I'm not sure you could get a bolt action manipulated fast enough if you're that close.
Depends if the first shot has any effect on the animal or not. If you can turn the animal a little, make it stumble, etc... then, yes, you can get another shot.

Depends if the first shot has any effect on the animal or not. If you can turn the animal a little, make it stumble, etc... then, yes, you can get another shot.

I was informed by some old timers who hunted brown bear that the first shot should not only be to kill but to disable the beast by breaking the front shoulder. This sounds like sage advice to me. Bears have been known to play dead to bait their human attacker in close before delivering a nasty surprise. :eek:

To be perfectly frank, I have a powerful fear of large bears.

The one African big game animal I would like to hunt is Cape Buffalo. I'll bet the meat is delicious if properly prepared. Yummy! :)

I was informed by some old timers who hunted brown bear that the first shot should not only be to kill but to disable the beast by breaking the front shoulder. This sounds like sage advice to me. Bears have been known to play dead to bait their human attacker in close before delivering a nasty surprise. :eek:

To be perfectly frank, I have a powerful fear of large bears.

The one African big game animal I would like to hunt is Cape Buffalo. I'll bet the meat is delicious if properly prepared. Yummy! :)

AS well you should Greysky, they think humans taste exactly like cape buffalo.

I've never seen one play dead unless they were. Most that arn't killed play wounded. They can play really hard if your close enough.

There is nothing wrong with hunting Brown and Grizzly bear with a single shot, jut bring along someone with a good bolt rifle that will act as backup and be careful.

Even doing it right can be very dangerous as prooved by the fact that Bear hunters in Alaska can and do get mauled and killed. That's the reason these animals are labeled "Dangerous Game".

AS well you should Greysky, they think humans taste exactly like cape buffalo.

I've never seen one play dead unless they were. Most that arn't killed play wounded. They can play really hard if your close enough.

There is nothing wrong with hunting Brown and Grizzly bear with a single shot, jut bring along someone with a good bolt rifle that will act as backup and be careful.

Even doing it right can be very dangerous as prooved by the fact that Bear hunters in Alaska can and do get mauled and killed. That's the reason these animals are labeled "Dangerous Game".

How about the black bear hunter in the Poconos, PA, this past bear season? He put 4 rounds out of his 444marlin into a 350-400 pounder and foolishly trusted the downed bear to be dead. He approached "dead" bear and was suddenly running for his life. He did lose some meat from his boooootocks and thigh before "dead blackie" gasped his last.

Just shows any animal can be dangerous. I grew up hearing stories about the fella whom shot an elk then straddled it to cut its throat and the elk got up and run away with hunter astride.

Some times even with perfect shots and perfect rifles things can and do go wrong. I would never say you can't hunt dangerous game with a single shot, but I would always say be prepared for the worst. I was present during a grizzly bear attack and I've never seen an animal move so fast.

I don't know if the fella attacked would have had time to get to the revolver he was carrying on his belt even had beee looking that bear in the eye.

One thing for sure the fella from PA is going to have some interesting scars to show off to his buddies.

That is a good question Greysky.

If I could be assured that I could stand off at 100-150 yards with my .375 and whack a buffalo with one shot and that would be that, then I know I would take it to Africa. Sometimes that happens. Sometimes that does not happen and so you wind up much closer and needing those extra rounds in the magazine right now. I am aware that there are a precious few animals on the planet that will soak up multiple solid hits from something like the 375 H&H and keep coming. But it does happen so I figure, why not have a little insurance. Besides, it gave me a great reason to say, "I want a bolt action .416 Rigby".

Besides, the Rigby makes a very efficient but expensive Marmot gun. Let them duck back into their holes! :D

I practice and use it the same way, two rounds between the fingers of my left hand while shooting, for quick reloads.

I shoot a Browning Highwall in .257 AI and use it for sheep, same place often habited by those higher on the food chain than me. I made up a wrist band with two cartridge loops sitting perpendicular to my arm and wear it on my left hand. I also have the same type wristband for two shotgun slugs as I use a single shotgun on scouting trips in the same area. I find this more secure and positive than trying to juggle two cartridges between my fingers.

Holy Schmackrel,

I've been itching to see a post on this topic.
My gravy train was running real slow and about to leave the station. I knew I wanted a .375 H&H and I really wanted a Ruger No. 1. So, I got the tropical.

The tough part was convincing myself what the heck am I gonna do with it? See, I need some sort of flimsey justification for owning one. I struggled with sleepless nights wondering about hunting dangerous game with this gun, and the ever apparent..."What If"?

Then I had a few thoughts and looked hard at the reloading of this rifle, and realized that since I reload, this gun can really be anything I want it to be. That was my ultimate sleeping pill.

Still the dangerous game/Africa question:
The armed guide is always nice, but if I want to feel like I did it myself, do I;
A) Bring along onother gun and choose based on the situation;
B) Carry a hot revolver on my side and get really brave; or
C) Realize that the chances of me being able to hunt an African safari are pretty remote and just be happy with what's in my safe?:D

So far I'm still on "C"

Good Luck

EMC2

If you're thinking africa, the 375 H&H will work HOWEVER it's very common and if you're anything like me, you want the less obvious and less common....why go for a 400 NE instead. Still usable on this continent but more than adequate to go anywhere.

I have a No.1 375 that was bought new in '78 , in '79 I bought a No.1 458 winnie , and was rechambered to Lott before it was ever shot .. I trust either one in any situation where they are the appropriate caliber ..
Several points on DG :
1) I had a PH freeze up and **** near get me killed when he didnt put forward a follow up ( no I wasnt using the No.1 either ) , so you caint always count on your PH ..
2) Plenty of practice with a single shot is required to have a fast follow up , it can be done ..
3) make yur first shot count , hit 'em hard and right , if at all possible ..
4) those single shots of days gone by were often 4 bores or even 2 bores that were horrifically proficient on both ends of the gun , they hit something , you and the something were very well aware of it ..
5) Weatherby isnt highly regarded in most of Africa , all the great things about it seem to malfunction , that overbuilt 9 locking lugs doesnt take much dust , dirt and grime to act up , and pressures are a problem ..
Also I have seen a BIG MAD Cape Buff take six shots inside 50 yards from a .600 NE , all were good hits ..
Jack

I suspect you posted this for fun, not because you would truly take a single shot to hunt dangerous game. Nor would you take one anywhere else you might have to defend yourself. The speculation and argument is amusing from in front of the computer. When your life is truly on the line, you will leave the single shot home.

That said, I know without a doubt there are exceptions. May their wives not mourn prematurely. Why not a bow, or a spear? Capstick did it.

Fact is, doubles are favored for speed. Even above repeaters. I believe most who buy a single shot in a dangerous game caliber buy them for looks. How about you? Beautiful!

I own a single shot in 223. I shoot this rifle more than any other. I can load it quickly. I can also reload my repeaters blindingly fast. There's no comparison. Especially when your life's at stake. Try an' find a PH packin' a single shot. When you do, bring yours too, and you can both die with confidence.

Course, I don't take any of this seriously. A single shot for elephant, buffalo, lion, or grizz?? I don't think so! Not me anyway! I do have a video that's all grizzly bow kills. Ya might talk me into that. These people risked thier lives for thier trophies. Exciting footage! Then again a grizz is unlikely to charge, while African dangerous game will. I'll loan ya my bow.

I suspect you posted this for fun, not because you would truly take a single shot to hunt dangerous game. Nor would you take one anywhere else you might have to defend yourself. The speculation and argument is amusing from in front of the computer. When your life is truly on the line, you will leave the single shot home.

That said, I know without a doubt there are exceptions. May their wives not mourn prematurely. Why not a bow, or a spear? Capstick did it.

Fact is, doubles are favored for speed. Even above repeaters. I believe most who buy a single shot in a dangerous game caliber buy them for looks. How about you? Beautiful!

I own a single shot in 223. I shoot this rifle more than any other. I can load it quickly. I can also reload my repeaters blindingly fast. There's no comparison. Especially when your life's at stake. Try an' find a PH packin' a single shot. When you do, bring yours too, and you can both die with confidence.

Course, I don't take any of this seriously. A single shot for elephant, buffalo, lion, or grizz?? I don't think so! Not me anyway! I do have a video that's all grizzly bow kills. Ya might talk me into that. These people risked thier lives for thier trophies. Exciting footage! Then again a grizz is unlikely to charge, while African dangerous game will. I'll loan ya my bow.


Please note when shooting elephant,lion, or buffalo, single shots have accounted for more than their fair share of game.
The fast second shot depends on how quickly the gun bearer gets the second rifle in your hands. I for one will not stand there trying to reload when a second rifle is a hand off away.
Also note double rifle's were used when conditions mandated redunancy. The ammo during the turn of the century (1900) was not all thet reliable, you know sometimes missfired. And gun bearers they carried that sixteen pound rifle all day just waiting to hand it to you. Repeaters, how many actions can handle the really big cartridges outside of a Barnett 50cal ?

Well, the 458 #1 came home tonite. 10 rounds still in the box. We will see what we will see. Mid-life crisis or no, it should be fun. Will I hunt with it? I don't know that. I am an 1885 user and this #1 is different.

With some pracitce I can see it as a bear, moose or elk gun. As for African game, I Followed Capstick's and others travels for years, to places I will never get to go.
Regards
Bestboss

Watched a guy on the hunting channel take a big Brown with a muzzle loader. Was a guy behind him with a repeater just in case. Got to say just watching sure got my heart up in my throat.

Hay Bestboss I've got a Ruger #1. It's in 243 and mostly gets used for yotes and varmits. I always wanted one and picked this one up a few years ago from a friend whom runs a pawn shop. He had several form one of Speers exec's whom passed on. He had a beautiful 458. I just didn't have enough coin to buy them both. My 243 has some nice wood for a factory gun.

I suspect you posted this for fun, not because you would truly take a single shot to hunt dangerous game. Nor would you take one anywhere else you might have to defend yourself. The speculation and argument is amusing from in front of the computer. When your life is truly on the line, you will leave the single shot home.

That said, I know without a doubt there are exceptions. May their wives not mourn prematurely. Why not a bow, or a spear? Capstick did it.

And as you know of course, Capstick nearly got his hash settled by that buff and his comrade saved his arse with the rifle. That is, if you believe it...

Fact is, doubles are favored for speed. Even above repeaters. I believe most who buy a single shot in a dangerous game caliber buy them for looks. How about you? Beautiful!

I own a single shot in 223. I shoot this rifle more than any other. I can load it quickly. I can also reload my repeaters blindingly fast. There's no comparison. Especially when your life's at stake. Try an' find a PH packin' a single shot. When you do, bring yours too, and you can both die with confidence.


Very true you will not find a PH toting a single. But that is for a very simple reason, a PH carries a rifle only as a life insurance policy. If a client wounds game, its on him to go and polish it off, lest it become rouge and harass the natives. Not to mention, its by law, and its on him if that animal gets away wounded and kills someone. Beyond that, he has a high paying client who would likely prefer to tip well, but thats hard to do when you are dead. So no, a PH will not carry a single, but ask any PH, the best safari's are the ones where the PH never has to take his safety off. The biggest threat to the lives of a hunting party on a safari is a client who knows everything and won't listen to his PH. Not one who carries a single shot.

As far as hunting dangerous game with a single, its not a problem. Your PH will be standing there with 500gr of life insurance, usually from a double gun. Doubles are for speed, and are supurb choices for dangerous game hunting, but not everyone who wants to hunt dangerous game and will spend $30,000 on a safari, also has the $ to spend $30,000 on a rifle. That said, a single is not a bad choice. I'd rather go on two safaris with a single than one with a double gun I can't afford to use ever again.

Course, I don't take any of this seriously. A single shot for elephant, buffalo, lion, or grizz?? I don't think so! Not me anyway! I do have a video that's all grizzly bow kills. Ya might talk me into that. These people risked thier lives for thier trophies. Exciting footage! Then again a grizz is unlikely to charge, while African dangerous game will. I'll loan ya my bow.


I think a wounded grizz will charge everybit as quick as wounded African game. Uninstigated, not many of the African species will charge. Elephants and rhinos being the exception. A grizz is not likely to charge unless you are really trying to get yourself in a spot. But I have not hunted grizzly, so your experience would certainly be greater than mine.

As far as hunting with a single for buff...Larry Weishuhn (I likely spelled that one wrong), has hunted with nothing but single shot rifles since the mid 90s. And you can review his hunt of a cape buff in the latest issue of Gun Hunter, in which he felled a buff with a single bullet from a TC Encore in .416.

How about the black bear hunter in the Poconos, PA, this past bear season? He put 4 rounds out of his 444marlin into a 350-400 pounder and foolishly trusted the downed bear to be dead. He approached "dead" bear and was suddenly running for his life. He did lose some meat from his boooootocks and thigh before "dead blackie" gasped his last.

That guy must have been a VERY bad shot! A .444 would clobber a black bear easily. In fact, with a hard cast 300gr, it would be more than a match for a grizzly.

I regularly hunt with single shot Springfields, Sharps and Remington Rolling blocks and have never found the single shot to be a deteriment. One particular deer hunt, my party and I were hunting in an area where we could harvest two deer each. I was using my 1874 Sharps carbine in .50-70 government. As was the custom of the day, I had three extra cartridges in between my fingers for quick reloading. My buddy had his scoped .30-06 model 70. I group of deer came up out of a ravine about 60 yards away and I was able to drop two before my companions could even find them in his scope. I can load my single shot a fast as any of my bolt actions and almost as fast as a lever action. Keeping in mind I've used singleshots for 30 years and am used to them. I wouldn't hesitate to use my #1 ruger .410 Rigby in the least on dang game. I say, practice, practice then go for it...

Asa owner of a much loved No 1 in .308, I still believe that reloading fast in an emergency situation might very well lead to dropping your round in the haste. Much practice does not create the life threatening charge of a wide mouth. You definitely should do it in pairs, hopefully with someone with a repeater.

Asa owner of a much loved No 1 in .308, I still believe that reloading fast in an emergency situation might very well lead to dropping your round in the haste. Much practice does not create the life threatening charge of a wide mouth. You definitely should do it in pairs, hopefully with someone with a repeater.

Welcome to the forum Jean. Rules are simple, be nice and join in.

I've got to say I've been hunting for more than 45 years and up til a few years ago never had a Ruger #1. This gun is not as accurate as several of my bolt actions, but it is such a joy to carry and shoot.

It's good for yotes to 400 yards and to be honest that's further than I can shoot anymore. Mine's in 243 and does have nice wood. It was built in 1979 and is as nice as the day it came out of the factory.

This gun is not as accurate as several of my bolt actions...... It's good for yotes to 400 yards.


Good God faucett.....are you sending them to the Pope for a blessing and a sprinkling with holy water! If you can paste a yote at 400, thats pretty dogone strong!

Just some additional thoughts on the Ruger Tropical in 458. I have several boxes of shells through it now. Mostly cast, but some good HEAVY stuff too.

Years ago, I was having neck problems. Well, that seems to be returning suddenly. But like the recoil, I am shrugging it off, and it seems to go away after a few days.

I don't think I will ever need this level of performance, as the awsome, but relatively short range, can often be offset by a longer range shooter. And living in Michigan - oh but those are just excuses for those with tight wallets.

I bought the blaster to have some fun with. That fun has been passed around to all who want the experience of using a larger gun. While I know there are larger bores, I like the commonality with the 45-70 components. My bench is getting awfully messy.

But a note and probaly the point of this post is this:
I had no need for this rifle and earlier indicated that I would probably never use it for dangerous game. Three things have made me reconsider.

1 Lot's of use, breeds familiarity.
2 I am left handed. Using a regular bolt gun is very slow.
3 The thought of dying a protracted long slow death, scares me worse than being stomped into buff mush.

Sounds crazy? Maybe, but that's probably why I have so much respect for the guy's who have been there and done that!
Regards
Bestboss