Hi Hacksaw,
I like many on this Forum started hunting with a single shot firearm and I still often hunt with one today. I also trained my son with one a couple of years ago, it is simple in that with the removal or discharge of one shell the firearm and it is unloaded.
I have used the H&R/NEF models and have found them to be dependable firearms. A nice thing about them is the "Transfer Bar System" which helps prevent accidential discharges when cocking or lowering the hammer. I have seen firearms accidentially fired a couple of times when doing this process. H&R/NEF used to have more rifle/shotgun/muzzleloader combination packages available, check out the used rack of local gun shops or go cruise a gun show (always fun, but often expensive activity).
In reading the H&R/NEF FAQ section be sure the first model you buy is a centrefire Rifle as these are the only ones that can be fitted with additional shotgun/rifle barrels at the factory.
About 10 years ago I shipped a Savage Model 24 (30-30/12ga combo) back to the manufacture in the USA for repairs. I did all the paperwork required and Savage was good to deal with. The problem was with Canadian Customs getting the firearm back into the country, I remember it took a couple of months to prove to Customs that this firearm had already been imported to Canada once and had only been sent back for warranty repair. I would check into this process throughly before sending a firearm across the border again, hopefully recent changes have made the process easier.
Single shot actions are solid, dependable and usually quite accurate, but they do not have a rapid second shot available. Some will say that this forces you to "wait and make the first shot count" and I think all ethical hunters agree with this principle. Your first shot at game is usually your best one as often the target is unaware and stationary.
I have had the availablity of a rapid second shot anchor game that was poorly hit with the first bullet. The area I hunt deer in is very brushy and frequently bullets are deflected by thin unseen twigs or perhaps the shooter just made a bad shot; it is not as easy as the outdoor magazines/hunting videos would have you believe.
Last fall my son shot at a deer at about 80 yards with a bolt action .308 Win, the bullet only grazed the front shoulder, but a second shot moments later through the chest harvested the animal quickly. Why he blew the first shot I do not know, but I do not believe we would have recovered that deer without the ability of a fast follow-up shot.
Technology has allowed humans to advance hunting implements from clubs to spears, bows, muzzleloaders, breechloaders, single-shot actions through to semi-automatics. This was done because they are more effective or else these designs would not have succeeded.
Personally when I am on my more serious hunts (big game, turkey, waterfowl) I tend to carry a repeating action firearm (bolt, break or pump) and when I am just woods-bumming around I carry a single shot due to the convenience. That being said last fall I carried a new Papoose semi-auto .22 rimfire a lot, just because it was light, handy and fun to shoot!
So I would agree with your decision to acquire a multi-barrel H&R/NEF single shot firearm because they are great "first guns" and it will be a tough, versatale package. But I do think that for many hunting situations where a quick second shot may "save the day" on a wounded animal (or bag you a second animal/bird), you should consider the repeating actions.
If you can hook-up with some other hunters in your area, ask if you can try their firearms out at the range (especially important for a left-handed person, as most actions are set-up for right-handed shooters), it is very tough deciding on a firearm without some practical, hands-on experience.
My 2 cents,
Mike
Sorry for the long reply, hunting/shooting have been a passion of mine since childhood; which reminds me did I every tell you about the time ....