Which Type of Single-Shot Rifle Is Best?

[Crash]

Which type of single-shot rifle, falling block or break-open, is best from the following standpoints:

1. Which is the strongest, i.e., will take the highest pressure cartridges?


2. Which is easier to clean?

Crash

[gunslinger2006]

1. I'd have to say that the falling block is probably the strongest by a nose. The Ruger Number 1 is offered is some very hefty calibers. Though the H&R/NEF and TC Encore are both available in plenty of high-powered modern calibers.

2. Easiest to clean would prabably have to be a break open, with the chamber area being easy to access. I suspect that it will wind up a matter of personal prefenece anyway.

[Rick]

H&R/NEF makes a Single-shot combo set that includes a common action/stock with three inter-changeable barrels.

The one I looked at was a .270/22LR/12 ga combo. The sticker price was around $300. With those three, you could hunt just about anything in the US. Might not be your first choice for hunting a big bear, but the Mountain Men used to hunt grizzlies with a single shot .50 caliber Hawken; so the 12 ga or .270 would do in a pinch.

[jim]

I'd say the falling block or the rare ss bolt gun would be the strongest. Like they said, it will boil down to a personal choice/caliber.

jim

[ZOOBEAR]

I think the Break-open is the strongest. The 500 & 700 nitros I have seen are break-open doubles.

[Toad_Sticker]

the man who built the 2 bore used a falling block of his own design.
Its suppossed to be a guniess record for the worlds largest shoulder fire gun but i couldn't find it.
W.H.Christian firearms
he had a shop set up in my hometown for a few years.
TS

[meancoyote]

break open is strong, nef makes good guns in .223, .410, and 12ga ive got them never had any problems. the .223 is much more acurate than my ar.

[deerhunter1362]

Break open, and I would perfure you using 270

[DM]

I think the Break-open is the strongest. The 500 & 700 nitros I have seen are break-open doubles.

NOT all break opens are created equil!!! A NEF is no match for the doubles that were build in europe...

A quality break open has double locking under lugs and a cross bolt to lock it shut in 3 places. Also the locking parts are made from one piece of steel (chopper lump) not something that's added later....

LOT's of differences!!

The NEF is strong enough for for what it is, but it's no big bore of old....

My vote for the strongest common single shot today would be a Ruger number 1 or something similar...

DM