Thread: Pros and Cons of Breakdown Single Shot's for a newb

The Bergara single shots are no longer available over here in Australia. Not sure if this is a local matter, low demand or a supply side issue.


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Trademe has a few Henry single shots available. They are not lite, but under 7lb

Its doesn't matter what type of gun you use, train with it and get used to hitting what you want with first shot and you will do well.

I had a H&R single in 308 with open sights that I used how you describe, when my main goal was exploring more than hunting, and it shot a few deer and pigs.

Originally Posted by Matty72

Thanks again everyone-

Just a follow up question, with these Bargara single shots (or Rossi, Baikal and others for that matter) is it possible to just buy another barrel chambered in a different calibre? i.e have a 20" barrel in 223 or 300BLK for economic goat/wallaby work, and then have a 16" in 308 for deer etc? Is this possible?

Yes and no. bjp has covered it well. But some additional observations.

Mrs longshot has a single .410/.22 and the barrels swap back and forth as often as she goes hunting.
Every so often you might see an H&R or Rossi three barrel set for sale.

Usually something like. .270, .223 and 20 gauge. Or .30-30 .22H and 20 gauge.

But it is hard to find a second barrel off the shelf, and less advantageous than what might previously have been supposed.
You would sooner find a cheap 2nd hand knockaround bolt action then a second barrel. And remember that even if you could get that spare barrel, a fair bit of cash is still going into another scope and maybe another suppressor too. By then, the savings are a fraction of the cost of buying a whole gun. And your not gaining any new functionality other than a new caliber, which can’t do much a .308 can’t do anyway.

Just going back to your original post and re-reading it, I've a couple of things to say.

You say you have budget for only one rifle, but I'd recommend you buy yourself an inexpensive 22LR if you can, and shoot it plenty at the range. Cheap practice. Preferably one that is easy to put a scope on, even if its just a single shot. I have an old BSA Sportsman that is more accurate than I am... but not easy to add a scope, so look for a 22LR with dovetail grooves. You can pick up a half decent older 4x scope for no more than $50. I've got a nice japanese-made Tasco 6x that cost $50 for example. Probably better to try and buy off the forum than somewhere like GC, as who knows what you might get for your money.

You mention hunting on the tops. A 308 with 20" barrel will give you higher velocity/longer range than one with 16" barrel with factory ammo. In a break open single shot it will still be a short, packable rifle with suppressor removed. From memory my H&R Handi rifle in 308 has a 22" barrel and is still shorter than any bolt action I own. And allow for a suppressor, it makes anything much nicer to shoot! Get a half decent lightweight scope, something like a 3-9x40, plenty of good 2nd hand ones around, don't worry about trying to dial, as maximum point blank range will still be something like 250m with a 308 sighted in 3" high at 100m, and you probably don't want to be taking 300m+ shots until you are really comfortable and competent with your gear.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone has regretted buying a single shot break barrel rifle? Of course there are some that are crap, but I mean if it shoots ok?

@Matty72

Not mine

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...5?bof=BnxPp24u

For some reason the cases get stuck in the chamber of most h&r 243s

Originally Posted by blip

For some reason the cases get stuck in the chamber of most h&r 243s

My 308 does the same with some ammo, problem goes away with reloads using small base dice, I keep meaning to try lapping the chamber. Hopefully that task will make it into the priority list soon after I've sold a couple of rifles!

Originally Posted by blip

For some reason the cases get stuck in the chamber of most h&r 243s

My H&R .308 has a rebate cut into the top of the chamber for a second extractor. Never had to use it though. When I bought it, the previous owner said it didn't eject reloads reliably, but I have fired dozens of reloads through it and never had any problems with ejection. Perhaps I am resizing a bit more aggressively than the previous owner.

My H&R 30-30 (see the Buy Sell section!) is a very enthusiastic ejector of brass. I learnt quickly to open the action with a fired case at an angle LOL.