Singles are nice, but I like bolts better. Check out Cooper Arms if you want a single shotbolt gun, very very high quality. I haven't had any first hand experiance with the .223 WSSM, but balistics wise, it is the best of the .22cals. I like the .223 Rem a lot, cheap, accurate, enough power for everything you mentioned. Any high velocity rifle is going to be a barrel burner, you'd probably get around 1500 rounds out of it, just a guess though, others guys on here will know more. Depending on what state you are in, I would recommend a Rock River AR-15 Varmint rifle in .223 rem. Or check out Accuracy Systems if you want one in another caliber.