1885 vs #1 (or #3)

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I've been having the envie for a single shot 45-70 for a while. I decided rather than go with an H&R or other crack barrel, to wait and save up for a nice one. I am really torn between the 1885 and the #1. Main thing is I really do not care for the 28 inch barrel of the 1885 and I think that the 16.5" barrel would blow my socks off.
Opinions are solicited.

 

[DeathGrip]

Do you really need socks?

 

[rockquarry]

I have a Ruger #3 .45-70 with #1 wood on it. I think the barrel is 22". I've had other #3s and several #1s. I have three 1885s and much prefer them to the Rugers. Since it's a single shot falling block rifle, the 28" barrel you mention gives the rifle the approximate same overall length as a bolt-action rifle with a 24" barrel.

This is more a matter of personal preference than anything else; the Ruger #1 and the 1885 are both fine guns.

 

[ggibson511960]

1885

Whole hearted endorsement for an 1885. Don't worry about the long barrel. The single shot action is so short it doesn't matter. The drop lever action is super cool. The finger lever cocks the hammer with a short down-up stroke, de-cocks the hammer with a short drop and trigger pull, and acts as a handy secondary safety if you don't like thumbing the hammer. I used to sit in a deer stand with the lever partially dropped instead of cocking the hammer before firing. You will like it. If you get an early Ruger, it might have the quirky fore end mounting that messes with accuracy. I think they fixed it, but the Browning (Miroku) is a better built piece.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I've only had a small sample of the two. I think the 1885 is both tighter and slicker, but the trigger was designed by lawyers. I even had one worked on, but still wasn't happy with it. The Ruger is great, the stock fits scope use better, and the trigger is usually better; and if not they're easier to get worked on.

It should take about two seconds for someone to chime in that they're 1885 has a crisp two-pound trigger. Okey-doke, I'm just reporting my experiences.

I think the #1 with a 22" barrel is the bees knees. I've shot a #3 .45-70 some decades ago, I do not remember it as a pleasant experience.

Edited to add that I no longer have an 1885, but I do still have a #1. So I guess I've made my choice.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

Do you want to hunt with it or only shoot at the range?
I own both;for the range,the High Wall gets the nod.For hunting,the Ruger is the one I pick(deers are quite nervous up here and most of the times just pushing the safety off uses up half the aiming time you've got to aim at the quickly ''I'm outta here''time the deer gives me).

 

[BB57]

I'm an 1885 fan. I have an Uberti High Wall, which is a copy of the original black powder era Winchester 1885 and a modern Browning 1885 Low Wall.

The modern Browning 1885 uses a hanger to supper the forend and free float the barrel - and it's much better executed, and much stiffer than the hanger Ruger uses to support the forend on the No. 3.

The 28" barrel won't be nearly as long as you think on an 1885 given the short length of the action, and it's a good length for the .45-70 cartridge. You'll also appreciate the weight compared to a 16" barrel.

 

[Rpg]

Here's a fairly lengthy comparison:

Browning 1885 And Ruger No. 1 Rifles Compared

The Browning sounds much more desirable than the Ruger.

 

[kmyers]

The Ruger Number 1 and/or Number 3 are .45-70 rifles I wish I had bought when they could be found here since it is my favorite centerfire rifle caliber. Those Ruger rifles are the definition of elegant in my opinion.

 

[Injunbro]

I have a short barreled Rolling block .45-70. It doesn't kick any worse than my long barreled one.

 

[steveno]

a Ruger # 3 in 45-70 will hurt you just looking at it. get the Ruger #1S in 45-70

 

[Wyo]

I had a Ruger No. 1 many years ago, just about the time I started handloading. Of course, I had to see how close I could get to the .458 Win. Mag with it. 10 rounds and I had to cover one eye to read my watch! It had a beautiful stock but the recoil eventually split it through the pistol grip. I had a succession of 1885's and No. 1's through the years after that. The only one I have now is an 85 in 50-90 Sharps. I really like that one. Overall, I prefer the 85 over the No. 1. The only downside with the 85 is that the hammer can be a little tricky in very cold weather with gloves, but that shouldn't be an issue for you. I say go with the 85 but avoid anything with a crescent butt if possible.

 

[Drm50]

The Ruger #1 is the way I would go. It is accurate, well made and scope friendly. Recoil is not that bad compared to other popular 45/70s. The only 45/70 I presently own is a early Marlin 1895. With the other 45/70s I've owned I never hot rodded them, had no reason to. I'm now shooting the 300gr bullets with max loads. Only to jerk the rainbow out as much as possible since 45/70 is legal deer gun in Ohio.

 

[rockquarry]

The Ruger single shots I've had were all reasonably accurate, but at least three of them (#1s in .223, .22-250, and .270) wouldn't hold zeros for long. These were older guns; all were bought in the '80s, I think. The .223 and .22-250 were #1Vs (24" heavy barrels) and were new, the .270 was a #1B (26" sporter barrel) and was purchased used. I wouldn't have trusted any of these rifles to hold a zero on a hunt.

Perhaps Ruger has corrected the problem on newer #1s. I still like the Ruger single shots. All I have now are two #3s, a .30-40 and a .45-70. I've had both a long time and they seem to hold zero fine, but I doubt I'd ever buy another #1 or #3. Too many of them are like a tempermental British sports car.

 

[BB57]

The Ruger single shots I've had were all reasonably accurate, but at least three of them (#1s in .223, .22-250, and .270) wouldn't hold zeros for long. These were older guns; all were bought in the '80s, I think. The .223 and .22-250 were #1Vs (24" heavy barrels) and were new, the .270 was a #1B (26" sporter barrel) and was purchased used. I wouldn't have trusted any of these rifles to hold a zero on a hunt.

Perhaps Ruger has corrected the problem on newer #1s. I still like the Ruger single shots. All I have now are two #3s, a .30-40 and a .45-70. I've had both a long time and they seem to hold zero fine, but I doubt I'd ever buy another #1 or #3. Too many of them are like a tempermental British sports car.

The inability to hold zero over time that you've described is due to the inadequate hanger Ruger uses to support their forened. It's where the modern Browning 1885 is far superior.

 

[BB57]

From an aesthetic standpoint, one of the things that has always bothered me with the Ruger No. 1 is the way the safety sits on the tang. It's not flush fitting and it frankly looks cheap. I've never had the same fit issues with an 1885.

It's a small thing, but it's a thing none the less.

 

[woodsltc]

I may very well be wrong, but if you plan to deer hunt with it during the "primitive weapons" season in Louisiana or Mississippi then the Browning 1885 is more likely to be legal because of the exposed hammer. Unless the requirements have changed I don't think the Ruger #1 or #3 qualify as legal "primitive weapons" in those states.

Don

 

[diyj98]

I've owned both, but to me the Browning 1885 just has a classier and better made feel to it.

 

[Engineer1911]

I have a Taylor's Arms clone of "Quigley Down Under" Sharps 45-70 with tall rear silhouette sight and double set triggers. I've shot at least 1,300 cast bullet loads through it. The action is still tight, 1-1/2" groups at 100 yards are possible off a rest. After 2 rounds, you really appreciate the extra weight of the 32" barrel.

It is fun to shoot, but not for deer hunting, just too heavy for field carrying.

1874 Sharps Sporting Rifle .45-70 32" Octagonal, Case Hardened Frame, Forend has a Hartford-Style, Pewter Forend Tip, with Schnabel Forearm, Walnut Stock, Double-Set Trigger, Model 138A

 

[Bullet Bob]

I was reading monthly firearms magazine recently (call me T-Rex), and on a visit to the Ruger plant the writer (and I) were amazed at the number of 10/22's Ruger could make per hour when running full throttle.

The number 1 assembly cell consisted of two guys. There's not a good business case for Ruger to keep making them, but I assume they do to honor their heritage. Buy one before they stop making them and prices go up.