https://www.handloadermagazine.com/the-simplest-single-shot

A very interesting, well written article by John. Oh! yea, I own a Blaser K95. RJ

The K95 is what the Merkel aspires to be.

BTW, I own 2 K95's.

Savage 219 in 22hornet/30-30 have any place in this conversation?

What about the Thompson TCR?

I own a TCR with multiple barrels. I always thought it was one of the sweetest, easy to handle single shots going, except for that safety thing...

I'm with 65Jeffery--the 219 should be re-introduced in a it's original ("Utica") configuration but with modern manufacturing methods except please "hold the plastic" except maybe in the stock (They're very easy to restock....) And how about a .25-35 this time?

Recent Savage efforts to revive its old classics have been pretty pathetic, however (Savage Model 42 anyone?).

This times 10. A modern version of the 219 with a better option to mount scopes and a barrel without sights. Modern metal, CNC and investment casting should make a very nice rifle.

That safety was a monstrosity and kept me from buying one.

When the TCR first was advertised, I really wanted one, and sometime later I actually had the $$$!!!

BUT (Mikes' big butt) I hated the safety and knew that when hunting in close cover that safety was going to be OFF. Even I know that's a bad idea.

And I just couldn't get used to the stock. Some love it, but it just felt wrong to me and I've learned to trust my muscles, nerves, and skin when it comes to "using guns." Your eyes, brain, and pocketbook are much less reliable guides when it comes to actually having to SHOOT something with the firestick.

In contrast, the aforementioned Savage 219 has always felt very comfortable to me, and I think it may be because the 219 and the 220 shotgun share a common stock. In general, I prefer a rifle with a shotgun-like stock to a shotgun with a rifle-like stock (given that both are good designs in the first place). Shotgun stocks take recoil into account, especially singles--they have to. And they are designed to be mounted smoothly and very quickly--they have to be.

I have a 220 20 guage with a 219 .22 Hornet barrel that is slick as snot, and have had a bunch of other combinations of rifle and shotgun, including a 16 with a .30-40 Krag barrel. The safety is in the right place for hunting, too--right under your thumb.

I have a couple of "Savage" O/U rifle and shotgun combination guns made in Finland by Valmet, and they have shotgun-like stocks which work fine with the rifle barrels. Very natural feel for both rifle and shotgun shooting (12 ga over .308 and 12 ga over .222 Rem).

I've become a fan of single shot rifles. I do prefer a falling block style though.

My little Favorite is a favorite and really like the 1885 low wall.

That safety is what caused me to sell my 1st one.

I'll try it again...

No love for the Henry kipplauf? The only complaints I ever read about were the heavy trigger and they've apparently fixed that.

I like a good kiplauf as much as the next guy but I too prefer a falling block. I should take a pic of my dainty 5.6x35R (.22WCF aka .22 Hornet) kiplauf.

Yes you should, please.

I like the single shots. I have a few Ruger #1s. Now if Ruger could only figure a way to cut back on the weight a but, they'd be even better.
Paul B.

Have owned a Blaser K95 with two barrels for many years. Accuracy is simply outstanding. Other single shots I own include a Ruger #1, TC Contender, and a Winchester 1885 Low Wall. All solid working guns.

My favorite rifle for the deep woods and thick briar patches around here is a lowly Handi Rifle in 30-06.

Gary (Gnoahhh) Where's that Hornet pic?

gnoahhh!
We'd love to see it!

I've had several kiplaufs, though nothing as nice as a Merkel. A TCR 83 in 22 Hornet, and Contender carbines in 22 LR, 221 Fireball, 223, and 45-70. I sold them all after deciding they were kind of a pain when shooting prone or from the bench. Accuracy was OK, but never great on those break actions, and the 45-70 was brutal to shoot. I too have become enamored of falling blocks. I replaced the TCR with a Ruger No 1 B in 22 Hornet with no regrets. It's super accurate. I have a No 1 A in 30-06 that has been my go to deer rifle for a long time, and a No 1 in 45-70 that is actually fun to shoot. Got a pretty little Dakota model 10 in 257 Roberts that handles and shoots like a dream. My latest single shot is not a falling block, but a bolt action. Its a Cooper 21 in 204 Ruger. Fully polished, deeply blued, and Manlicher stocked it is the most accurate rifle I've ever owned.