Ballards are the easiest vintage rifles that I have owned for loading and unloading a .22 rimfire.  My Stevens 44 and my several Win 1885s like to eat spent cases into the action.  An ejecting Winder does't have tat issue though.

Jonathan,

This is a good topic of discussion. There are many great actions out there for us to choose from. I'd like to start this off with that I am not a collector I am shooter. With this in mind I have a strong appreciation for the history and traditions related to shooting single shot rifles. My primary interest in .22 LR rifles.

CPA produces an action that loans itself to shooting .22 LR. It is robust, has easy access to spent cases, good triggers and has a good lock time. I am personally not so much a fan of the case colors. Also very easy to get parts if you need them.

Ballard receivers are graceful and aesthetically pleasing. I personally lean towards the later Cody Ballards. It's hard to dispute the quality, modern metallurgy and adherence to classic Ballard aesthetic. The drawback is readily available spare parts. 
Great double set triggers and easy access to spent cases.

IMHO the Montana Vintage Arms 1885 Low Wall receiver with double set triggers is the gold standard. Like the Cody Ballard it's modern metallurgy and adherence to classic lines just scream quality. The double set triggers have plenty of adjustment that loan themselves to benchrest, offhand and silhouette shooting.
Parts being readily available also make this receiver a no brainer for me. This receiver provides modern convenience and honors tradition. 

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

These statements are strictly my opinion based on personal experience. I am happy to say that I have had great results with all of the above receivers. 

This is why there is Bourbon, Canadian, Irish, Scotch and Tennessee whiskies 

-Scott

In order of ranking, my favorites:

1. Ballard. Just something about them. Elegance probably, and the delicious double-set triggers.
2. Vintage and modern 1885's, HW & LW. Another one I can't verbalize. Robust, ingeniously designed, kind of "manly" - I dunno. For target or hunting, it would be #1 were it not for the Ballard.
2 1/2. Ruger #1 - my favorite hunting rifle.
3. Martini Cadet. As much for nostalgic reasons as for strength - my first ever single shot 50+ years ago. For .32-20 to .357 Maximum it rocks.
4. Stevens 44 1/2. Gaining traction of late with me, may well move up the scale.
5. Stevens 44. It has its place in my heart as a light rifle, .22LR, .32 Long, .22 WCF, etc.
6. Remingtons, both Rolling Blocks and Hepburns, just don't trip my trigger although admittedly I haven't given the Hepburn a fair shake.
7. Sharps, both side hammers and Borchardts, at the bottom of the list only because I have had zero experience with either! Ditto all of the wonderful German and English single shots out there.

I’m in a different box than some here. For many years I only shot revolvers. 

But in 2009 I bought a mew CSA .40-70 SS. A 3-month wait while Shiloh was 2-years. Tons of fun using BP only. But now I’ll be selling it and a large bunch of accessories for it, getting out of BP shooting.

The current favorite is a CPA in .38-55, ordered in the fall of 2024, as I expand my interest in the Schuetzen game. I love the CPA color case finish! The accuracy is great too.

Tom

I love em all! It started with Ruger’s #1. Still my favorite deer rifle.
I like the Sharps history and have two. One by each of the Big Timber companies.
My wife wanted her own and chose a 40-65 CPA. Wonderfully accurate as well as pretty rifle. 
I’ve developed a big soft spot for Winchesters and currently own four. 
Don’t have a Ballard yet but it’s just a matter of time!

My favorites in order:

1,   CPA 44 1/2. ---  35-40 Maynard, 38-55 & 32-20
      This was my first custom made to my specs rifle. 
      
2,   1885 Low Wall 32-40

3,   1885 Hi Wall(s) 45-70 (Retired) 38-55 (Active Duty)

4,   Martini Cadet 32-20

The 1885's are not originals but still near and dear. 
I dare anyone at the range to call my repro's ugly. 

I suppose easiest to load would have to exclude all those actions that won't complete the seating of a cartridge on closing the lever. Some mentioned here already will fall into that category eventually and likely at an importune time;-)
Chuck, I think the Maynard will give you a pleasant surprise.