Best Single-Shot Hunting Handguns

Hunting with handguns has long had a strong following, but modern advancements only serve to add to this alternative method for taking game. While most handguns now opt for repeaters like revolvers or semi-automatic long slide pistols, sometimes the best long-range accuracy and most interesting guns are single shots. Here are our current crushes.

Nosler M48

Renowned for exceptionally well-crafted and accurate rifles, Nosler assumed control of the high-end single-shot handgun market when they introduced the M48. This center-grip, bolt-action handgun brings incredible accuracy to a handgun that doubles as a hunter and long-range target shooter. The 15-inch standard barrel has a threaded muzzle for either a suppressor or brake, though custom-shop barrels span 12 to 18 inches.

An exceptional two-stage trigger rivals that of target rifles. The stock, available in a number of colors, is crafted from a single billet of aircraft-grade aluminum. Each handgun is machined and built by the gunsmiths in Bend, Oregon. The M48 Independence is not cheap, but it exudes all-American quality and easily shoots sub-MOA groups to match. Available calibers include: .22 Nosler, .24 Nosler, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Remington, and .308 Winchester. The current iteration of the M48 handgun is the NCH, or Nosler Custom Handgun.

Thompson Center Contender

In production for more than 50 years, few handgun hunters haven’t at least handled or fired a Contender. Thompson Center’s single-action one-shooter allows the user to easily swap barrels and, thus, calibers – including rimfire and centerfire. The exposed hammer’s unique mechanism contains not just one but two firing pins for use with both rimfire and centerfire barrels. The action is opened by pressing forward on the curved trigger guard.

A beefy hinge pin mates the barrel to the frame, held in place by the forend bolt. The T/C Contender has been available in so many factory and aftermarket barrel offerings over the years, it’s nearly impossible to list all the chamberings. For hunters seeking a handgun that can handle the heaviest-hitting belted magnum rounds, however, stepping up to the company’s improved Encore platform is a solid option.

CVA Scout V2

CVA Scout handgun — The Scout is a proven single-shot option. (Photo: Guns.com)

The company known for its muzzleloading prowess has also proven itself in the single-shot market with the Scout. The lesser-known Scout V2 single-shot handgun, however, flies under the radar. The majority of these handguns show stainless metalwork with black synthetic stocks. The stainless barrels are fluted and threaded but without sights. Instead, the company includes a DuraSight Z2 rail.

The last listing of new CVA Scout V2 single shots listed caliber options as .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .300 AAC Blackout. There was at least one short run of a distributor-exclusive camo-and-Cerakote .350 Legend Scout V2 handgun, which would play heck on deer and hogs. The bare guns weigh in at only 3.7 pounds, sans scope. Retail prices start surprisingly low, but there are no Scout handguns listed on CVA’s website at the time of this writing.

Freedom Arms 2008

Freedom Arms Model 2008 offers a wide range of caliber options. (Photo: Guns.com)

Freedom Arms has a reputation for turning out some of the most well-built wheelguns in the business. They do, however, continue to produce a much lesser-known single-shot handgun – the Model 2008. The break-action, single-action design has a unique appearance with stainless matte metalwork and lovely hardwood stocks. Barrels are interchangeable, but only after being fit at the factory.

There are no sights. Rather, the 2008 is drilled and tapped for the company’s own scope or red-dot mount. It is currently available in 16 chamberings, ranging from .223 Rem to .375 Winchester, with interesting additions of .357 Maximum, .338 Federal, .460 S&W, and .45-70 Gov’t. Either 10- or 15-inch barrels are standard. We have yet to hear of one that does not shoot sub-MOA.

Magnum Research Lone Eagle

Long Eagle Handgun — Owning a Lone Eagle from Magnum Research will certainly set you apart from the crowd. (Photo: Kristin Alberts/Guns.com)

The Lone Eagle from Magnum Research and its earlier version, the SSP-91, may be the most obscure entry on this list. This single shot uses an instantly recognizable rotary-breech action and forward cocking lever. Most Lone Eagles were dressed with scopes because they were intended for long-range and ultra-accurate silhouette shooting.

Lone Eagles were available in a wide array of chamberings, including .22 Hornet, .223 Rem, 7mm-08 Rem, .280 Rem, .30-30 Win, .30-06 Springfield, 7mm BR, 7.62x39, .308 Winchester, .444 Marlin, and even .358 Winchester. The guns could be purchased piecemeal, grip frame and barreled actions separately, and many original buyers opted to “change calibers” by buying other barreled actions. The actions are strong, and the gun is durable with proven accuracy. Owning a Lone Eagle nearly guarantees you’ll have something your handgun-hunting buddies do not.

Remington XP-100

Talk to almost any ultra-long-range handgun shooter and odds are strong they own either a stock Remington XP-100 or have modified one of those actions. These bolt-action single-shot handguns were produced from 1963 to the mid-1990s. Remington’s bolt action was well respected, and the mid-grip, vent-rib barrel, nylon-stocked design quickly won favor with varminters and silhouette shooters alike. Many variants came and went over the years, some with heavy barrels, others with walnut stocks.

Factory calibers were interesting and included .223 Rem, .22-250 Rem, 6mm BR, 7mm BR, 7mm-08 Rem, and even .35 Remington, though it was the .221 Remington Fireball (RFB) that garnered serious attention. While long out of production, clean XP-100 handguns are seriously sought after to this day. For the sake of clarification, Remington did make a run of Model XP-100R bolt-action handguns that were repeaters, but it’s all single-shot love today.