{"id":4227,"date":"2023-05-31T15:21:15","date_gmt":"2023-05-31T15:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=4227"},"modified":"2026-05-21T10:47:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T10:47:18","slug":"are-single-shot-rifles-making-a-comeback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/are-single-shot-rifles-making-a-comeback\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Single Shot Rifles Making a Comeback?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>While the use of single shot <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/defining-rifle-actions\/\">rifles<\/a> was more typical in the past before the advancement of technology, their role in big-game <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-far-can-i-see-with-these-binoculars\/\">hunting<\/a> culture never completely vanished.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A single shot <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/the-benefit-of-having-a-backup-rifle\/\">rifle<\/a> is the ancestor of the modern-day rifle. As firearm technology evolved over the years, single shot <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/rifle-scope-accessories-you-might-consider\/\" title=\"Rifle Scope Accessories You Might Consider\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"851\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifles<\/a> transformed into the more modern-style rifle we are familiar with today. This evolution caused the use of single shot rifles in <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/all-about-hog-hunting\/\" title=\"All About Hog Hunting\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"672\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> to dwindle, but they were never completely abandoned.<\/span><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/are-single-shot-rifles-making-a-comeback\/#Single_Shot_Rifles\" >Single Shot Rifles<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/are-single-shot-rifles-making-a-comeback\/#Tradition_Challenge\" >Tradition &amp; Challenge\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/are-single-shot-rifles-making-a-comeback\/#Simplicity_for_Safety_Starters\" >Simplicity for Safety &amp; Starters\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/are-single-shot-rifles-making-a-comeback\/#Bottom_Line\" >Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Single_Shot_Rifles\"><\/span><b>Single Shot Rifles<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A single shot rifle is a rifle that can only fire a single round after each load. They\u2019re primarily used for hunting and target <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/shooting-22lr-rifle-in-a-whole-new-way\/\" title=\"Shooting a 22LR Rifle in a Whole New Way\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"558\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shooting<\/a>, and they can be found in various calibers for either of these activities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Despite the shot limitation, single shot rifles are still an admired and useful firearm for several reasons. Some might argue that they\u2019re growing in popularity among 21st-century big-game hunters. But why would anyone want to use one to hunt with when there\u2019s a plethora of repeating arms to choose from in 2023?\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Perhaps it presents challenges in some respects. Though it still has its advantages when it comes to <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/tips-for-off-hand-shooting\/\" title=\"Tips for Off Hand Shooting\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1689\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting and shooting<\/a>. While the reason isn\u2019t clear, we\u2019ll discuss a few typical motives for why single shot rifles are still relevant in our <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/shed-hunting-with-a-binocular\/\" title=\"Shed Hunting With a Binocular\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"801\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/shooting-a-rifle-accurately-in-high-wind\/\">shooting<\/a> culture today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/ruger.com\/products\/no1\/specSheets\/21319.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4231\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Ruger-No-1-1024x236.jpg\" alt=\"While the use of single shot rifles was more typical in the past before the advancement of technology, their role in big-game hunting culture never completely vanished.\u00a0\" width=\"647\" height=\"149\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Ruger-No-1-1024x236.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Ruger-No-1-300x69.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Ruger-No-1-768x177.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Ruger-No-1-600x138.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Ruger-No-1-150x35.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Ruger-No-1.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 647px) 100vw, 647px\" \/><\/a><\/b><br \/><\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/ruger.com\/products\/no1\/models.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Ruger NO.1<\/a> is strong, simple and has a compact falling-block breech mechanism with artillery-style breech block is ideally suited for today&#8217;s powerful cartridges.<\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tradition_Challenge\"><\/span><b>Tradition &amp; Challenge\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A primary reason people enjoy <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/videosview\/versatility-of-the-tract-bino-chest-pak\/\" title=\"Versatility of the TRACT Bino Chest Pak\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1623\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting with a single shot rifle<\/a> today is because they likely grew up hunting with one and it\u2019s what they prefer or are accustomed to. Could be the rifle was passed down to them from someone else. Either circumstance offers a sense of nostalgia, which some hunters pursue in their endeavors. For many hunters, a single shot <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/videosview\/toric-34mm-4-25x50\/\" title=\"Introducing the TORIC 34MM 4-25X50 Extreme Long Range Rifle Scope\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1680\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle was the first gun they were introduced<\/a> to.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/binoculars-for-turkey-hunting\/\" title=\"Binoculars for Turkey Hunting\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"671\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> with a single shot rifle is considered more challenging because the <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/what-is-a-meat-hunter\/\">hunter<\/a> only has one opportunity to kill, similar to hunting with a bow or a muzzleloader. Though it\u2019s possible to reload a single shot <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/videosview\/setting-up-your-tract-optics-bino-chest-pak\/\" title=\"Setting up your TRACT Optics Bino Chest Pak\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1656\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle while hunting<\/a>, it takes more effort and time, which is obviously not ideal in the field.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>&nbsp;<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/riflescopes\/toric-34mm-elr-rifle-scopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4228\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Tract-Optics-Digital_728x90_144.png\" alt=\"Are Single Shot Rifles Making a Comeback?\" width=\"542\" height=\"67\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Tract-Optics-Digital_728x90_144.png 728w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Tract-Optics-Digital_728x90_144-300x37.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Tract-Optics-Digital_728x90_144-600x74.png 600w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/05\/Tract-Optics-Digital_728x90_144-150x19.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 542px) 100vw, 542px\" \/><\/a><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There\u2019s a constant reminder for a hunter carrying a single shot that the first shot needs to count, which requires greater patience, strategy, discipline, and accuracy.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Mastering these fundamental hunting skills allows us to practice hunting the way our ancestors did before the modernization of firearms technology; another thing that causes us to reminisce.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A hunter should still be certain in their ability to make an ethical shot no matter what they\u2019re hunting with, but it\u2019s much more important with a single shot rifle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Simplicity_for_Safety_Starters\"><\/span><b>Simplicity for Safety &amp; Starters\u00a0<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Single shot rifles are often deemed safer and easier to use and transport because of their simplicity. A single shot rifle is lighter and more compact due to not having extra parts that repeating firearms typically have. This makes it easier to carry when traversing the landscape or climbing into tree stands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The simplicity of single shot rifles also makes it a great gun for beginners because they make it easier to learn the basics of proper firearm handling and use. Novice users don\u2019t have to worry about additional rounds being present in the gun after pulling the trigger, which can make for a less intimidating first experience with a firearm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Aside from being a great gun for learning the basics of shooting, single shot <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/reloading-rifle-ammo-for-beginners\/\" title=\"Reloading Rifle Ammo for Beginners\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1829\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifles help teach necessary hunting<\/a> skills, as mentioned earlier, such as strategically approaching game and being disciplined to wait for an ethical shot. These are some of the most important aspects of big-game hunting. One could argue that the advancement of firearms technology has caused many hunters to lose a sense of these core principles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bottom_Line\"><\/span><b>Bottom Line<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While single shot <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/moa-vs-mrad-rifle-scopes\/\" title=\"MOA vs MRAD Rifle Scopes\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1884\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifles might be growing in popularity in our hunting<\/a> community today, they likely never completely vanished from the big-game hunting culture because of these reasons. The demand for newer technology in <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/planning-a-caribou-hunt\/\" title=\"Planning a Caribou Hunt\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"771\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> rifles rose with its evolution. And the single shot rifle became useful for enjoyment or educational purposes rather than as a necessary tool to get the job done for most people.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Preference aside, even though single shot <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/thinking-about-air-rifle-hunting\/\" title=\"Air Rifle Hunting Thinking About it\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1803\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifles are great for educating new hunters and sharpening hunting<\/a> skills, modern firearms are just as capable of helping us accomplish an ethical and challenging hunt, and inviting others into our community. But if you haven\u2019t yet, go ahead and give a single shot a shot, or maybe two.<\/p><p><\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/all-products\/12-5x50-binoculars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4229\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Tract-Toric-12-5x50-Web-Ad-Animated.gif\" alt=\"Are Single Shot Rifles Making a Comeback?\" width=\"558\" height=\"69\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are Single Shot Rifles Making a Comeback?\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4231,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2255],"tags":[2462,3032,3046,3047,3049,3054,3247],"class_list":["post-4227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-extra-topics","tag-binocular","tag-rifle-scope","tag-rifle-scope-objective-lens","tag-rifle-scope-objective-size","tag-rifle-scope-reticles","tag-rifle-scope-turrets","tag-spotting-scope"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4227","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4227"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4227\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12764,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4227\/revisions\/12764"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4227"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4227"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}