Single Shot Rifles
Single shot rifles strip the rifle down to its essentials—one chamber, one shot, total focus on accuracy and simplicity. They’re the first rifle for many young hunters, the most affordable entry point into a new caliber, and the platform of choice for handloaders who want to wring every last foot-per-second from a cartridge. From Henry’s classic break-action .22s to CVA’s Scout in .350 Legend and .450 Bushmaster for straight-wall cartridge states, single shots cover more practical hunting applications than most shooters realize. No magazine, no cycling, no complexity—just the shot.
Read our full Single Shot Rifles Buying Guide ↓
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.
Shop Single Shot Rifles at Impact Guns
Our single shot selection covers youth rimfires through full-power hunting calibers. See our Henry rifles page for their complete break-action lineup, our CVA Scout page for straight-wall and centerfire hunting options, and our hunting rifles category for the full range of deer-capable options at every price point.