Which is more handy - single shot or lever action?

[tarponhead]

Agreed. I started this with
1. What do I want to shoot that I haven’t done so yetwith my 6.5x55? Red, Sika, Boar
2. What gives me widest choice of hunting and target bullets and factory ammunition? .30 cal
3. Where will I shoot most often? Woodland walk and stalk, Ranges
4. What do I want to change from my current 22” barrelled B14 Hunter? Short barrel, off hand shots in close cover, walk holding rifle rather than on sling, less reliance on shooting from sticks.
5. Quick follow-up shot? Nice to have, but I like to get close and be sure of where I send the bullet too, but that doesn’t as work well with boar, so it’s a compromise.
6. What scopes do I already have that will suit? Delta 1.5-8x40, Leupold 1.5-6x35.

I wonder if I should add a scout rifle to my thinking? Thanks for the great suggestions above. It’s a pity we can’t buy rifles like shotguns, in the UK…

 

[Dorset Shakari]

There was a pretty Ruger No1 in 35 Whelen in the classified section recently. Now that would make a superb woodland boar rifle.

 

[Smellydog]

One thing I've always wondered....if the hole in the barrel gets bigger on them #1 Rugers do they get lighter? Every lesser cal ones I've picked up are just to heavy! The varmint ones are a joke, unless you have thousands of prairie dogs and deep pockets!

 

[Adyb]

I would strongly recommend a something providing a fast follow-up shot for boar in woodland unless you are prepared to use your nice single shot as a club - or even better get a bayonet for it!
A lever gun on the other hand is ideal.

 

[kenbro]

I would strongly recommend a something providing a fast follow-up shot for boar in woodland unless you are prepared to use your nice single shot as a club - or even better get a bayonet for it!
A lever gun on the other hand is ideal.

Or unless you’re up a tree.
K.

 

[scrumbag]

Lever action if I had to choose, I’d go 30-06,,but that’s not really lever gun calibre of course

Also Browning BLR in .30-06 and .308W

Henry Long Ranger in .308W as well...

 

[tarponhead]

Henry Long Ranger - that sounds like a thing! I shall have a look…

 

[Smellydog]

Henry Long Ranger - that sounds like a thing! I shall have a look…

Good luck finding one in the UK

 

[Andy RV]

Gunshop EB has a Winchester 1895 in .30-06.

 

[Rafter]

I've just bought a Henry single shot in 308 for rainy day hunting. There is a Skinner aperture sight on the way and I suspect it will turn into a favourite in short order.
Iron sighted rifles are a joy to carry, and for chest shooting reds and sika inside 100/150m they work just fine. I don't think there is much in either NZ or the UK that a 150/165 grain 308 bullet won't flatten, and if it doesn't work then I'll be looking at myself before the rifle.

A single shot gives you a nice long barrel in a compact package also - almost something for nothing.

 

[alberta boy]

I've just bought a Henry single shot in 308 for rainy day hunting. There is a Skinner aperture sight on the way and I suspect it will turn into a favourite in short order.
Iron sighted rifles are a joy to carry, and for chest shooting reds and sika inside 100/150m they work just fine. I don't think there is much in either NZ or the UK that a 150/165 grain 308 bullet won't flatten, and if it doesn't work then I'll be looking at myself before the rifle.

A single shot gives you a nice long barrel in a compact package also - almost something for nothing.

I've handled a few of the Henry Single Shots , they're very handy little rifles . The early models had fairly heavy triggers , but the trigger on the newer models is a lot better . I'm still a little torn between the CVA Scout TD and the Henry , there aren't any of either model available around here at the moment , so it's a bit irrelevant . The Henry is a much more traditional rifle , most I've looked at had some really nice walnut , and is noticeably better made . The CVA is a stainless /synthetic and is a lot more practical though . First world problems . You'll like the Henry , they're a really good company and make good solid rifles . The Skinner sights are a great addition , I've owned a few sets , indestructible and really fast to use . Post some pics of it in use when you get a chance .

AB

 

[Rafter]

I've handled a few of the Henry Single Shots , they're very handy little rifles . The early models had fairly heavy triggers , but the trigger on the newer models is a lot better . I'm still a little torn between the CVA Scout TD and the Henry , there aren't any of either model available around here at the moment , so it's a bit irrelevant . The Henry is a much more traditional rifle , most I've looked at had some really nice walnut , and is noticeably better made . The CVA is a stainless /synthetic and is a lot more practical though . First world problems . You'll like the Henry , they're a really good company and make good solid rifles . The Skinner sights are a great addition , I've owned a few sets , indestructible and really fast to use . Post some pics of it in use when you get a chance .

AB

The CVA scout is sold here as a Begara, and folks love them. They are heavy though, and I was looking second hand. Every one for sale here had been chopped and suppressed, so no foresight.
With the Henry I can just buy it, fit a Skinner sight and go shoot stuff - more betterer.

 

[alberta boy]

The CVA scout is sold here as a Begara, and folks love them. They are heavy though, and I was looking second hand. Every one for sale here had been chopped and suppressed, so no foresight.
With the Henry I can just buy it, fit a Skinner sight and go shoot stuff - more betterer.

The CVAs are a lot chunkier compared to a Henry . I'm going to get one in 45/70 and intend to use heavy , 400 + gr bullets so the extra heft isn't necessarily a bad thing . The only issue I have with the Henry , and it wouldn't apply to yours , is the top break lever . The recoil generated by heavy 45/70 loads is considerable and it can take a chunk out of the web between your thumb and finger if you get careless , ask me how I know lol . It is a small thing though and , in reality , wouldn't put me off a 45/70 chambered Henry if one came up .

AB

 

[Rafter]

The CVAs are a lot chunkier compared to a Henry . I'm going to get one in 45/70 and intend to use heavy , 400 + gr bullets so the extra heft isn't necessarily a bad thing . The only issue I have with the Henry , and it wouldn't apply to yours , is the top break lever . The recoil generated by heavy 45/70 loads is considerable and it can take a chunk out of the web between your thumb and finger if you get careless , ask me how I know lol . It is a small thing though and , in reality , wouldn't put me off a 45/70 chambered Henry if one came up .

AB

Haha.
Yep, I shot a bailed pig one day one handed with a very light, cut down single barrel 12 gauge.
My hand was wet, and the recoil drove the lever well into the web between my thumb and forefinger. When I pulled the gun off, for a moment I could see deep into my hand before it all filled up with blood.
When I got into town the doctor looked at my hand and said "you've been pighunting - next time use two hands to hold onto the gun". It is a common injury in Tokoroa.

 

[NP435]

One thing I've always wondered....if the hole in the barrel gets bigger on them #1 Rugers do they get lighter? Every lesser cal ones I've picked up are just to heavy! The varmint ones are a joke, unless you have thousands of prairie dogs and deep pockets!

I have a 1V and plenty of prairie rats!

 

[sauer]

been watching yellowstone!!!
if was me it be a lever action !

i want one !

Paul

 

[tarponhead]

One of the issues we face in the UK is the time spent waiting for a Certificate variation to be considered and approved, to allow us to buy an additional firearm. Which makes me super-cautious, before I submit my application and then have no access to factory ammunition until my amended FAC is returned. You have to surrender the original, not wait for the decision and then submit.

In the past I would speak with my FEO, armed with a copy of HOG and gauge reaction (see what I did there?), but it’s all online now, so even that failsafe method has gone.

So, reflecting on the sage advice (itch) you have all given me, I might just ask for two: .308 and 45/70. For target and AOLQ. Then I could get a single shot and a lever action… what a joyful thought! Or was it a dream? Did I fall asleep stroking walnut? Not sure.

It might be the triumph of hope over experience but I’m going for it. Wish me luck…

 

[6pt-sika]

I’ve killed a pretty decent pile of deer with a pile of different cartridges on lever action carbines/rifles , both with jacketed and home cast projectiles . I’ve also killed a pile of deer with Ruger #1’s a Browning B-78 and a semi recent manufacture Winchester 1885 . Neither one is that slow in my experience . Several times I e killed two deer in about twenty seconds using a single shot and a bunch of times I’ve slammed 2 or 3 deer quickly with a lever action . Never loosing any cases I might add . Only lever action I own anymore is a Marlin 444 with Ballard rifling and I only shoot cast in the gun , my only single shot centerfire at present is a Ruger #3 that started life as a 44 Mag and someone ran the chamber out to 444 . I’ve killed plenty deer with both rifles and only used bullets I cast myself in them .

 

[reiver]

I’ve killed a pretty decent pile of deer with a pile of different cartridges on lever action carbines/rifles , both with jacketed and home cast projectiles . I’ve also killed a pile of deer with Ruger #1’s a Browning B-78 and a semi recent manufacture Winchester 1885 . Neither one is that slow in my experience . Several times I e killed two deer in about twenty seconds using a single shot and a bunch of times I’ve slammed 2 or 3 deer quickly with a lever action . Never loosing any cases I might add . Only lever action I own anymore is a Marlin 444 with Ballard rifling and I only shoot cast in the gun , my only single shot centerfire at present is a Ruger #3 that started life as a 44 Mag and someone ran the chamber out to 444 . I’ve killed plenty deer with both rifles and only used bullets I cast myself in them .

Got to love a .444M just keeps on doing the job without all the bravado of the 45-70Gov

 

[6pt-sika]

Got to love a .444M just keeps on doing the job without all the bravado of the 45-70Gov

I kinda went overboard with Marlin heavy hitters having owned about thirty Marlins chambered for the 444 , half dozen for the 45-70 , three for the 450 Marlin and a custom one for the 450 Alaskan . I will say I atleast shot them all and killed a deer or three with each .