1885 vs #1 (or #3)

[Buford57]

If you need one more testimony that the #3 in .45-70 kills on both ends, just ask. I shot one frequently while my wife was carrying our firstborn. She said he jumped every time I fired it and he has been gun-shy his whole life.

The .22 Hornet version was a sweetheart.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I am a huge 45-70 fan! There are several areas to enjoy. The Long Range Black Powder Cartridge competition game is the one that demands the 28 to 34 inch barrel length. I have a 1974 or 5 production C. Sharpe's 1874 with only some of the bells and whistles. For American made expect to pay 3 grand and up to get started. (you never struck me as that kind of guy.)

Next would be authentic buffalo hunting. A good Italian copy of a Sharpe's or Remington or H&R Trapdoor would do nicely for about half the price.

For "Modernish" Buffalo and big bear hunting, there are a number of good American Made lever actions Marlin and Henry both make several models. The Winchester/Browning 1886's are made in Japan, and my 1986 production 1886 45-70 is better than any original Winchester! My 2005 45-90 takedown was a little rough in the action, and finding people to work on it was problematic!

Uberti make some very nice looking 1885's and 1886's copies. They get good reviews from magazines and people that never owned a real one.

From the little bit I know about you I think you might be happy with a Marlin Guide Gun. I have an early one with porting. It only kicks as bad as the level of Ammo you put in it. (Factory 300 gr is pistol cartridge mild, Hot reloads will bring tears to your eves!)

Ruger No.1 rifles are fantastic if you have a good one and a nightmare if you don't. I never had a 45-70 but had a wonderful 375 H&H, still have a 7x57 (pre 1976) and a 218 Bee from the late 90's and love them. Avoid a used one (why would anyone sell a good one?) If you get a new one shoot it promptly and if it isn't up to snuff, return to the factory! I know men that spent a fortune having them rebarreled or "rehung" and the "All Knowing" Gunsmith didn't know his nose from a banana! The torque on the forend screw is critical and need to be exact (but it is different on different models! barrel length and weight make this necessary!)

My current 45-70 battery is 4, with the number of "Did not pass muster" around 20. My pride and joy is a 1875 production (only 5 made that year) 1873 Cavalry Carbine in VG to Fine condition. I don't shoot it, but I admire it!

Plinking ammo is fun: 300 grain coated bullet (RNFP) and Trail Boss. It is like shooting a pistol caliber lever gun with cowboy loads.

Serious ammo: I use a 400 gr cast RNFP/GC at 2100 fps (hot IMR 3031 load) with a red dot scope I have kept 5 in 1.5" @ 50 yards in 1.3 seconds!

It's you money, have fun!

Ivan

 

[dwh]

Another vote for the 1885 and another vote for the shotgun buttstock on it. I love the 45-70 and load it on both ends of the spectrum. A crescent buttstock under the right circumstances will draw blood.

 

[BB57]

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

I have a Quigley model as well from Armi-Sport.

Chiappa Firearms // 1874 Sharps Rifle Down Under (Color Case) 45-70/34"BBL

It's well made, accurate and has held up very well. I bought it when I lived out west where long range BPCR shooting was a bigger thing than it is here in eastern NC.

Out there I hand loaded black powder rounds using a Lyman 457-658 (480 gr bullet) and a compressed load of FFg. It's long throated, which let me seat the bullets out past the first lube groove and stuff in some more powder. If I'd stayed out west I'd have reamed it to .45-90.

Here in NC, I use commercial cast 405 grain flat points loaded over a charge of Unique at black powder velocities. I still get excellent accuracy in the 1.25 MOA range at 100 yards, and they work well out to the 300 yard ranges I shoot in this area. In that regard I'm glad i stayed with .45-70 as it's very flexible in terms of bullet selection from 300 to 350 grain jacketed bullets to 535 gr cast bullets.

I agree that it's way too heavy for field use and from time to time I suspect I chose poorly and should have went with the Billy Dixon model instead. But it's still very nice looking and a joy to shoot, if not to carry. I understand completely why one of the prop guns used in the movie had an aluminum barrel (the one used in the fight seen at the beginning of the movie).

That's really where my Uberti 1885 came in. It's much more amenable to field use.

 

[Buick]

I see Pedersoli is making a Remington Rolling Block in a couple models chambered in 45-70. Always liked the rolling block.

 

[LEO918]

The Ruger Number 1s are made in the USA and I have had several over the years. In my humble opinion the No. 1 is the way to go.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

I've had a few of the no 1's but never kept one . I have a Miroku 1885 in 38-55 that I will keep until I pass it to one of my sons . Much rather shoot the 1885 with a scope or without .

 

[old tanker]

If BPCR competition is on the horizon, an exposed hammer is a requirement. In that regard, the 1885 has both the hammer and the requisite accuracy to shoot a thousand yards. I cannot speak to the No. 1

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Main reason Is for primitive rifle hunting. I need to check into the legality of that for Louisiana. Love the guide gun but my Lord the prices
Plus I might want to wait a bit to see what Ruger does with them

 

[Drm50]

I had a original Remington Rolling Block that was rebarreled to 45/70. Gun had heavy octagon barrel. I had tang sight on it and was shooting 405Rn cast at moderate load of Unique. Velocity was close to BP govt issue load.
I took it deer hunting. Not worlds best deer rifle. When that dude started swinging you didn't have any choice but to follow through. I took a snap shot and the tang sight just skimmed my eye brow. I was lucky it didn't connect solid, still had blood running in my eye. Killed the deer but for awhile wasn't sure who was hurt worse.

 

[rockquarry]

This thread has veered considerably from Ruger #1s and Browning 1885s to single shot rifles in general, so I may as well join in and continue off topic.

I've had one rifle with an original Remington rolling block action and another with a reproduction rolling block action marketed by Navy Arms years ago. I don't know what maker actually produced these, but they were well made. Regardless, still a rolling block; to me a very crude action with a long hammer fall. No comparison between a rolling block and an 1885 (original or reproduction). The 1885 is a far more refined and desirable action.

 

[Buford57]

Main reason Is for primitive rifle hunting. I need to check into the legality of that for Louisiana. Love the guide gun but my Lord the prices
Plus I might want to wait a bit to see what Ruger does with them

I know a hammer is required in MS for primitive. I used a 45-70 Taylor's Sharps for a season or two before switching to an H&R in .35 Whelen.

 

[6518John]

Main reason Is for primitive rifle hunting. I need to check into the legality of that for Louisiana. Love the guide gun but my Lord the prices
Plus I might want to wait a bit to see what Ruger does with them

Gary—since I had a minute and you still have to be mourning LSU and cursing Mike Leach, I pulled this for you a greatly discounted rates—only $895.00 per hour, 5 hour minimum.

Legal Gear for Primitive Firearms Season includes:

Rifles or pistols, .44 caliber minimum, or shotguns 10 gauge or smaller, all of which must load exclusively from the muzzle, use black powder or approved substitute only, take ball, shot, or bullet projectile only, including saboted bullets. All of the above may be fitted with magnified scopes.
Single shot, breech loading rifles or single shot, breech loading pistols, .35 caliber or larger, having an exposed hammer that use metallic cartridges loaded either with black powder or modern smokeless powder. All of the above may be fitted with magnified scopes.
Single shot, breech loading shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller, having an exposed hammer, loaded with buckshot or slug.

Deer Hunting | Louisiana Hunting Seasons & Regulations – 2020 | eRegulations

 

[Rpg]

Looks like you need a 1885

 

[Hairtrigger]

Are used to be a big Ruger number one fan. I still have at least eight in various calibers.

I had a Ruger number one in 4570 and eventually sold it later buying a 1885 in the same caliber

The Ruger is a workhorse the 1885 feels a little more refined

 

[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

I know a hammer is required in MS for primitive. I used a 45-70 Taylor's Sharps for a season or two before switching to an H&R in .35 Whelen.

Legal Gear for Primitive Firearms Season includes:

Rifles or pistols, .44 caliber minimum, or shotguns 10 gauge or smaller, all of which must load exclusively from the muzzle, use black powder or approved substitute only, take ball, shot, or bullet projectile only, including saboted bullets. All of the above may be fitted with magnified scopes.
Single shot, breech loading rifles or single shot, breech loading pistols, .35 caliber or larger, having an exposed hammer that use metallic cartridges loaded either with black powder or modern smokeless powder. All of the above may be fitted with magnified scopes.
Single shot, breech loading shotguns, 10 gauge or smaller, having an exposed hammer, loaded with buckshot or slug.

Deer Hunting | Louisiana Hunting Seasons & Regulations – 2020 | eRegulations

Given that you can hunt with a single shot, exposed hammer rifle in .35 cal. in both Louisiana and Mississippi ........ I would be looking for something legal in .35 Whelen (see Buford57's post). A .35 Whelen has much better range and ballistics than the .45-70 caliber. JMO!!

Don

 

[6518John]

Don—I was astounded to read that these modern rifles are classified as "primitive" as long as they have a hammer. Moreover you can mount the finest Leupold scope on them too. Arkansas only allows muzzle loaders.

 

[Golddollar]

Don—I was astounded to read that these modern rifles are classified as "primitive" long as they have a hammer. Moreover you can mount the finest Leupold scope on them too. Arkansas only allows muzzle loaders.

PA has a flintlock only deer season after Christmas. Can't use a percussion cap gun even. Back about 25 years ago or so PA enacted a muzzleloader season for October that allows in-line, flintlock or percussion. But for a long time the only primitive firearms season option was a flintlock, which is 1700s technology.

 

[ggibson511960]

Don't Touch the Hammer

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.

If you know how to operate it you never need to touch the hammer on a 1885 unless you want to. The hammer spur doesn't protrude much and can be hard to cock very quickly if a scope overhang covers it. The solution is the brilliance of the 1885 design. The hammer is easy to lower safely by lowering the finger lever about an inch, pulling the trigger (Don't worry. The breach block is out of battery), and raising the finger lever. The mechanism gently lets the hammer down. If you're holding a loaded rifle with the hammer not cocked, simply cycle the finger lever down and up about an inch and the mechanism cocks it for you. You could do all this in mittens. It's very safe, quick and convenient, faster than thumbing a hammer.

 

[woodsltc]

Don—I was astounded to read that these modern rifles are classified as "primitive" long as they have a hammer. Moreover you can mount the finest Leupold scope on them too. Arkansas only allows muzzle loaders.

John, we're limited to muzzle-loaders only here in Tennessee also. Fact is they just call it "muzzleloader" season in the hunting regulations.

If it were legal here a good set-up would be a .35 Whelen barrel on a Thompson Center Encore rifle, which has the exposed hammer, and topped with a quality Leopold scope (might need to do a little work on the Encore trigger).

That combination could reach out and touch a deer easily at 300+yds or further if someone was a good enough shot.

Don