This thread has been going for a spell and I'm late to it. I'm not a hunter, but in my healthier days I was an out-in-the-woods forester. Kept a Krag behind the truck seat. I'm also a single shot fanatic and view those who hunt with single shots as still hunters, stalkers and woods walkers.

I have an original Alexander Henry. Big hammer, easy & quiet to cock, great single trigger, OK extraction, but carry bent-nosed pliers and a multi-piece cleaning rod in your possible bag.

I think one of Steve Earle's would make up into an ideal big game hunting rifle.