Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What is the best quality, cheap single shot deer rifle??

I have looked at CVA, ROSSI, and a couple other brands. The CVA seems to have the tightest action with less side to side wobble. Anybody have an informed decision on which is the best quality brand? Thanks for any info.

What do you consider cheap, and why a single shot?

If you just want a very inexpensive accurate deer rifle, the Savage is where you need be looking. An Axis will do fine though I prefer a used 110. The Ruger American is another option for very inexpensive accurate deer rifles. If it is for a child so you just want a single shot, just go with the Ruger American Compact and load one round.

the "cheap" single shots really can't hold a candle to the "cheap" bolt actions, ruger american for instance. I like the concept of a single shot, but in practice I've been forced to admit that you really can't beat a good bolt gun. not saying that a CVA or a Rossi won't work for you, but for the money spent, I think you're talking in terms of "heavy concessions"

are you trying to buy for a "primitive" season like Louisiana has and MS used to have?

Thanks for the input. If I go with a lie end bolt action, should I hope with savage axis, Ruger American, mossberg, or marlin? Lookin for a no frills 243 to start my daughter deer hunting. I need to chop the stock down, so I am not looking to spend much. What say you?

savage.

stocks are a dime a dozen when you need to "unchop" one.

If you want an affordable single, I would look at NEF.

Buy the savage 11 youth model combo, not the axis.

That's what we did.

We've been very happy & I'm sure you'll have the same happy feelings !!

Definitely go with a bolt gun.

But, if you are totally sold on a single - go NEF/H&R over the others

Rossi = junk.

You don't want to start someone on a POS rifle and/or scope. A new shooter's efforts should go toward mastering fundamentals, not working around the deficiencies of crappy equipment.

A couple of range trips ago I shared the range with a dad and his twelve year old son. The boy was shooting a compact Ruger American in 308. He was enjoying himself, and shooting quite well, with 125 grain handloads.

yes.

I made that mistake so that I may provide testimony to others.

The 22 single shot is OK for plinking, but don't get one for social purposes.

Make sure the stock fits.
Make sure it has a really nice trigger.

I bought a NEF compact in .223 for my boys. My oldest son then "stole" a Leupold VX3 3.5x10x40mm from me to put on it.

Dink

If price is a concern, get a Marlin X7, $325.00 shipped to your FFL. Here's the part # from budsgunshop.com. 70384 Just paste that in their search engine.

My youngest has had a .243 CVA Scout Compact for not quite a year. He is really on the small side, and found holding up his brother's 700 Youth to be a challenge. The balance on the single shot, made it much easier for him to support and shoot, although most of his field shooting will be off of sticks or some other rest. He has also had issues with wandering eye dominance, and the $200 CVA seemed like a safer investment than a bolt action that might end up being wrong sided. The trigger on the CVA is excellent and it just seems like a better quality rifle than than the Rossi or NEF offerings. Weight and price were a factor as well.

I think it was the right choice for him, but if he were bigger I would have bought something like the Ruger American compact version. I think it would be a better longer term choice. His brother is now a strapping 6' 210 lbs. 17 year old and his Remington .243 is still serving him well. Just need a slip on pad or new stock, and he's good to go.

Two different kids, two different solutions.

think about a vanguard youth, too, if its within your budget.

The NEF's are good little guns. Don't pawn a savage off on your poor kid, LOL.

It is so easy to find a short action 700 for less than $400 in my area I wouldn't mess with one of the low end single shots. You have something you can upgrade easily if you choose or a known quantity that holds value well enough you could resell without too much loss.
I hear good things about the Ruger American as well and shot a very accurate Marlin XL7.

Here is your gun if you buy new.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_59_110/products_id/84840

Have you guys actually handled those new Rugers? Checked one out a week ago, and it felt like junk. Flexy stock, rough action...