Single Shot Rifles

Break Action vs. Single Shot Bolt: Which Design Is Right for You?

Break-action single shots—like the Henry Single Shot and H&R Handi-Rifle—open at the breech by pressing a lever, offering fast reloading and an extremely compact, lightweight package. They’re ideal for youth hunters and truck guns. Single shot bolt actions, like the Ruger No. 1 (now discontinued but available used) and Savage Impulse, are typically more accurate at longer range and better suited to precision handloads. For most hunters buying a first single shot, the break-action is simpler, lighter, and more affordable. For the handloader or long-range hunter, a quality single shot bolt delivers benchrest-level accuracy.

Best Single Shot Calibers for Deer Hunting

For straight-wall cartridge states (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, etc.), the CVA Scout and Henry Single Shot in .350 Legend, .450 Bushmaster, .45-70, and .44 Magnum are purpose-built legal options. In states with no straight-wall requirement, .30-06, .308 Win, and .243 Win cover most deer hunting scenarios with excellent factory ammo availability. The single shot format pairs well with the handloader’s mindset—one perfect load, one shot. Henry offers interchangeable barrels on some models, letting you own one action and multiple calibers for the cost of extra barrels.

Single Shot .22 Rifles: The Classic First Firearm

A single shot .22 LR rifle teaches fundamental marksmanship better than any other platform—every shot counts when there’s no follow-up. The Henry Mini Bolt Youth and Crickett are the standards for young shooters: lightweight, short length of pull, simple manual safety, and sub-$200 pricing. For adults, the Rossi Matched Pair (rifle/shotgun barrel combo) and Henry Single Shot .22 offer more grown-up ergonomics. Single shot rimfires also see use in small game hunting and informal target shooting where a bolt-action’s magazine isn’t needed.

CVA Scout: The Best Modern Single Shot for Hunting

The CVA Scout has become the benchmark single shot hunting rifle for value-conscious buyers. Available in .243 Win, .350 Legend, .450 Bushmaster, .300 Blackout, and .35 Whelen, it covers virtually every legal deer cartridge in the country. The Scout features a compact 20″ barrel, synthetic stock, and Bergara-made barrel for accuracy well above its $300–$350 price point. The thumbhole stock variant adds comfort for longer sessions. It’s consistently one of the best value-per-accuracy rifles on the market regardless of action type.

Single Shot Rifles for Youth and New Hunters

Single shots shine as first hunting rifles. The forced discipline of one shot builds patience and shot selection; there’s no spray-and-pray option. Youth models in .243 Win, .223 Rem, and .22 LR offer reduced length of pull (12″–13″) and lighter weight (4.5–6 lbs) that fits growing shooters properly. The Crickett and Keystone Arms Chipmunk are the under-$150 standards for the youngest hunters. As kids grow, transitioning to a CVA Scout or Henry Single Shot in a deer caliber is a natural progression that keeps the same operating manual of arms.

Frequently Asked Questions: Single Shot Rifles

Why buy a single shot rifle?
Single shot rifles offer advantages that multi-shot platforms cannot: they are often significantly less expensive for a given barrel quality, they are inherently safe with a visible chamber, they force deliberate shot placement rather than relying on follow-up shots, and in many states they are legal during muzzleloader or primitive weapons seasons. For youth hunters learning fundamentals, a single shot teaches proper shot selection and patience. For experienced hunters, a high-quality single shot like the Ruger No. 1 or T/C Encore provides exceptional accuracy in a minimal package.

What is the CVA Scout and why is it popular?
The CVA Scout is a break-action single shot rifle that has become the dominant value-tier single shot hunting rifle in the US market. Available in calibers from .243 Winchester through .450 Bushmaster and .350 Legend (critical for straight-wall cartridge deer hunting states), the Scout offers a quality barrel, easy barrel interchangeability between calibers, and a low price point. Its ability to switch calibers by changing barrels makes it one of the most versatile hunting platforms available per dollar spent.

Can I hunt with a single shot rifle in straight-wall cartridge states?
Yes — many hunters specifically choose single shot rifles for straight-wall cartridge deer seasons in states like Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Iowa. The CVA Scout, H&R Handi-Rifle, and Ruger No. 1 are popular choices in .350 Legend, .450 Bushmaster, and .357 Magnum for these states. The single shot action is well-suited to the close-range, deliberate shooting typical of straight-wall cartridge deer hunting in heavily wooded terrain.

What is the most accurate single shot rifle?
The Ruger No. 1 is widely considered the most accurate production single shot rifle — its falling-block action allows a longer receiver for better barrel harmonics than break-action designs, and its quality barrels consistently produce sub-MOA groups. The T/C Encore and Contender platforms are also highly regarded for accuracy, with the added advantage of easy barrel swaps across a very broad caliber range.

See Also: Bolt-Action Rifles • Lever-Action Rifles • Hunting Rifles • Youth Guns • .308 Win Ammo