Thread: Pros and Cons of Breakdown Single Shot's for a newb

Back in the 90's when I was away working for most of the time, I carried a Baikal 222 for some afterwork walks in the hills etc. Over a 5 year period that little rifle accounted for more deer pigs, goats, tahr, chamois, and rabbits than all of my other rifles combined. Was simple, accurate with a wee 3X Weaver on top, and broke down to fit in to 2 unobtrusive gunbags. Could be stowed away from prying eyes, on the four wheeler. Would fit in my kitbag, ammo was easily available and you could carry a lot of ammo cos a 222 is kinda small. Shot its first tahr only 2 1/2 hours after sighting it in, shot 7 goats with 6 shots up the Awatere. Only drawback is it is a bit heavy for a single shot, but then most of them are.

The triggers on the Baikal's sometimes need a bit of tuning, simple job for a competent gunsmith. Mate has one in 22-250 and he fitted a peep sight on the dovetails and has shot heaps of animals with his.

And theres something about using a single shot that you you cant quite experience with a bolt or magazine rifle, its a quiet satisfaction of a job well done with only one round. I'd say go for it, you wont regret it and they are so much easier to carry inside your pack, or on a packraft, or in a plane or helicopter. And if a TC in 30-06 floats your boat, I know of one up for sale.