The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Single Shot Rifles Uberti 1885 vs. Ruger #1 in .45-70Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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I want a big bore plinker/fun gun/off hand target gun, and want it to make a big boom when I touch it off. I had my mind made up on the #1, but have seen pictures of the Uberti, and it sure is attractive. Which is of a higher build quality, and which has better iron sights from the factory? Any obvious advantages of one over the other? Both seem to be about the same amount of money. thank you, paul | ||
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I have a Ruger #1 in 45-70 and a Uberti 1885 Lo-Wall in .22LR. Neither were what I'd call accurate out of the box. Right now the Ruger is being rebarreled by Nonneman's. | |||
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The Ruger is a rather light rifle. One of my Ruger .45/70s had a constriction at the front sight and swivel bands. I got about 18" groups until I shipped it back to Ruger and they replaced the barrel at no charge. Neither rifle has good factory sights. Trouble that is pretty much the end of the road for the Ruger except for the odd NECG sight. The Uberti is drilled for a tang sight and has a front dove tail so you can add decent sights to it. For off hand open sight use I would pick the Uberti anyday. | |||
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I'm currently struggling with the same decision. How is the fit and finish on the Uberti? Decent wood on it? Made in Italy, right? Can they be loaded as hot as a Marlin levergun? As hot as the Ruger? | |||
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My ruger 45-70 is a one hole rifle at 100 yards, on a bright day and I am feeling calm. It has a 2.5x weaver steel tube on it with a post reticle. The weaver was overhauled in El Paso about 10 years ago. Actually my best group was .414 center to center with winchester factory 300 grain hollow point. I don't use that ammo because at 50 yards the bullet blows up on deer. | |||
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I think the Uberti can be loaded hot enough to be really uncomfortable. They also sell it chambered for the much higher pressure rounds (compared to the 45-70) like the .30-40 Krag, the .348 Win, and the .405 Win. I have actually handled the .405. They are not light weight rifles and for me would be much more useful with metallic sights. I have never fired a Uberti but I have fired many Rugers. The wood on a Uberti is finished with a fairly dark reddish stain so the wood grain is hard to see. There is no checkering unless you get the upgraded version. I don't where you live, but get a chance to hand both at the same time before you buy. Other than both being single shots they are very different rifles. | |||
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My opinion is NO, the Uberti 1885 Highwall cannot be loaded as hot as the marlin or ruger. Some my say yes, but I wouldn't try it. The Ruger is pretty much as stout as it gets for a falling block action type. I guess it depends on what you want to get out of it? Just plinking, or are you planning on hunting big game with it? Are you a handloader, or are you only buying factory ammo? Are you looking for a nostalgic or historical piece, or just something to bang around with? If you want a big boom, try shooting blackpowder cartridges out of it. When I shoot my sharps or 1886, it's blackpowder rounds, and that makes a BIG boom, and usually brings over several curious shooters when I'm at the range... I usually offer to let them shoot it, if I have ammo left over, but their interest seems to wain when they see the size of the cartridge. Curious, no? Si tantum EGO eram dimidium ut bonus ut EGO memor | |||
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http://www.chuckhawks.com/falling_block_action.htm
Frank de Haas says that the weak spot in the 1885 is the firing pin, and should be bushed to a smaller hole when modern high pressure rounds are chambered that might have a case failure. | |||
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I'm not sure I would classify the Uberti Highwall next to the Browning Highwall. I've handled both, and shot the Browning but not the Uberti. If I was worried about strength, I'd pick the Browning over the Uberti. He asked about the Uberti.... Si tantum EGO eram dimidium ut bonus ut EGO memor | |||
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I have owned a new Uberti 1885 highwall in 30-30 for a few years. My intention of converting to 25/35 and loading it hot has not been realized. I have not even shot it in 30-30 yet. But is LOOKS strong enough. I have since learned that Col. Townsend Whelen had the same idea. | |||
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I have handled (not fired) a Uberti, & currently own an older, red pad No.1-S in 45-70. Both are nice rifles. The Highwall has a lot of history, but the Ruger is quite pleasing to handle, - & I doubt if you will find a stouter action. It can also take overkill loads that will bring tears to your eyes - if you are a glutton for punishment. My pet load (shown) is fairly accurate, reasonably powerfull, & can be shot a bit w/ out getting beat up. My vote goes to the No.1, but why not get both?   Regards - GCF "Sometimes you make eight - Sometimes you hit dirt" | |||
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The Win 1885 action was/is very strong in spite of being made of steel of about the strength of structural steel. That is low grade steel! High wall receivers were reportedly used by Dupont for test guns up into the WWII years. That includes high pressure rounds. The Uberti should be at least as strong, being made of modern alloy. As for the firing pin issue as written about by DeHass, if you need to overload the .45-70 that much, get a different cartridge. After all, the .45-70 with a 420 gn bullet at black powder velocity will shoot through a bison. | |||
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I put a Williams Peepsight on my No.1.It makes for a fast brush Rifle.With a 4X Scope it shoots 5 shot groups 1 1/4 " all day.Thats with Remington 300 gr Bullets with 61 grs of N133 & CCI Standard Rifle primers.I dont have my range book handy,but I think its about 2250 MV.The Ruger #1 is very strong.I would be leary of what I fed a 1885 Repro.I saw one in pieces at the range.I don`t know who`s manufacture. OB | |||
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OB Given reasonable metallurgy the 1885 design is stronger than the Ruger #1. | |||
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OLBIKER; Your concern about the repro 1885s has validity however that DOES depend a great deal on who made the repro. Uberti chambers (or did) their repro for .348 Win. This is not the highest pressure level but if I wanted any higher pressure from a .45 I would buy a .458 Mag. Ballard Rifle Company will chamber one version or another of their 1885 repro for cartridges up to .600 Nitro. Original Winchester receivers were used for test guns at Dupont for pressure testing the most powerful of ctgs. available up to WWII. This includes, amon others, .30-06, .270 Win, .300 H&H, etc. Those old receivers were made of low strength steel and were not really heat treated. They were case-hardened but tests have shown the case to be only few thousandths deep. All that said, if I personally wanted the power/pressure levels some of you guys are after from the .45-70 I would buy a .458 or at least a .450 Marlin. | |||
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ireload2, how so? DRSS | |||
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The right side of the Ruger #1 receiver wall is cut down for loading clearance reducing the amount of steel supporting the breech block. I doubt that it makes much difference since both are way stronger than almost any other action. Take a look at how much metal is behind the breech block on either on. I think you would blow the barrel threads out before you would blow the breech block out. | |||
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I've had 2 Ruger #1's in 45-70. They are NOT polite with heavy loads. If I wanted a strong big bore I'd get a #1 in 458 Win, 458 Lott, or 416 Rigby. The heavy barrel on these models make them easier to shoot than a hot 45-70. Bruce | |||
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On the other hand, the breech of the 1885 is completely unsupported behind that big slot for the hammer. I'd guess-timate the two actions, made of the same quality steels, are equally strong. I'll also venture the Ruger will do the better job of keeping the gases from a blown case out of your face. For a big booming, moderate pressure plinker, make your decision on the style you prefer. | |||
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They both have the same big slot that allows them to be loaded. The hammer makes zero difference in that regard. | |||
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The loading slot is not the point. On the Ruger, the lower part of the breech is supported by the receiver all the way across. Thrust from the bottom half of the cartridge can be delivered into the receiver along this arc (which, because of the hammer, is missing in the 1885). The breech has support in the shape of a J, or, if you cock your head some, a V. The Ruger supports the breech on two opposing sides, upper left corner and lower right corner, plus everything in an arc between. The 1885 instead offers two parallel lines of support. The breech is unsupported, from top to bottom, at least the width of the hammer. This is likely somewhat stronger, but it definitely provides more avenues for gas to get to your face. | |||
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I have a Ruger #1 in 30-30 that I loaded very hot and this year opened it to 30-30 AI which I load to 300 Sav & even a little hotter. I think they are 2 different actions. Either will take a good amount of pressure with the #1 being stronger IMO, as well as safer in the event of a high pressure case failure. Still, I'd like to do some playing with the 85 action just for fun. "You can lead a horticulture, ... but you can't make 'er think" Florida Gardener | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Single Shot Rifles Uberti 1885 vs. Ruger #1 in .45-70
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