Overbore Cartridges

SOMEE YEARS AGO, while in the USA I made an opportunistic purchase of a Rugerr No 1 rifle. It was one of those impu sive decisions that are so hard to resist. To my mind the smooth opera-t on of the Ruger No 1’s single-shot action is among the most pleasing and comfortable of all rifle styles. It is reminiscent of the classic Farquharson action with some modern, well-engineered improvements. The rifle must be brought up into aim by a hunter to fully appreciate the light handling and its many other virtues.

It may seem to some that a single-shot action is a shortcoming but this is not so for most classes of meat hunting. In fact, it is surprising how quickly a second shot can be loaded and fired if necessary. This is because of the fast, unrestricted direct access to the chamber that many falling-block actions afford the shooter. The