I've always been a huge fan of the Ruger #1 rifle...I love the looks of the William Henry forearm models and have owned and enjoyed several.

However, I also find that the #1 stock seems to be just about the worst I've ever tried from the standpoint of felt recoil. A .375 H&H fired in a Weatherby-style Monte Carlo stock, or in my Blaser R93, is something that I can shoot all day. I also owned a Ruger RSM in .416 Rigby that I found very shootable, but two or three shots out of a .375 #1 is more than enough for me...even moreso if the gun is fired with iron sights as opposed to a scope. My cheek takes the brunt of the punishment...the shoulder is okay.

Now I have fallen in love/lust with a Winchester 1885 in .375H&H. No chance to shoot it before buying, and just holding/shouldering the guns doesn't really tell me much. Does anyone have any experience with both guns, who can give me some basis for comparison? Or, for that matter, any advice or information that might be useful? Thanks in advance.

John

I think you can only go on what fits and feels right. The old drill; hold the rifle at Port Arms, close your eyes, shoulder it comfortably, and then open your eyes. Are you looking down the sights? Yes? Take it home.

I agree with you about Number Ones. Beautiful rifle. Beats me like George Foreman would.

Rich

I can only compare my Ruger #1B in 30-06 with the Browning B-78 which is similar to an 1885 Winchester. The Ruger has that skimpy ass piece of rubber they call a pad and the Browning has a standard type recoil pad. To be honest, I think the Browning beats me up just a bit more than the Ruger. Not a whole lot but just enough to notice. One of these days I'll replace that pad with a Pachmeyr Decelerator and call it good. I should put one on all of my harder kicking Ruger #1's while I'm at it. The funny thing though is that Ruger 06 hurts me more than the #1B or #1S in .300 Win. Mag. Damne dif I can figure than one out. All three rifles have that skimpy pad. Methinks Ruger had his had in a warm dark place when he put that skinny piece of es rubber on stuff like the .375 H&H, .404 Jeffery and .416 Rigby. All three rifles hurt like hell if I'm not careful on how I shoulder the damn things.
Paul B.

The Ruger recoil pads are so thin it's not funny.

Heaps of people put Limbsavers on the Ruger No 1's
(and Ruger M77 Mk 11's).

Most of them have a pre fit but you need to check.

they probably saved between a buck-fifty and a buck-seventy-five apiece by going to that linoleum monstrosity.

Rich

I agree with the guy who said that a nice rifle with a rubber recoilpad is like a tuxedo with rubberboots.

tell the truth i don't see much difference. any single shot is going to weigh a pound or 2 less that a bolt, so with a heavy caliber is going to boot you around more with a lighter rifle than a heavier one

quote:

Originally posted by 500N:
The Ruger recoil pads are so thin it's not funny.

STOCK recoil pad on a No. 1 in .458 Win. Mag.



Same model in 45/70 has a smaller pad, but it's fine. Recoil is about fit, and too some are less subject to feeling "hammered."

JD: When did you buy that .458 with that pad on it? I played with a Lott and a .450-400 a couple of years ago and both had the worthless hard red pads.

I have a No 1 in 375 and even installed a merc tube but left the ruger "pad", if you could call it that, on and it is a punishing SOB. I'm thinking about replacing the factory pad with something that would realy be a bit softer and more recoil friendly. I think sharpened spears would be better than a Ruger pad!

I am planning on putting a leather covered pad on it sometime in the future so it wont be so unpleasant to shoot, but retains a little class.

My single shot rifles are in .204 for the #1 and .223 for the B-78. Neither present a recoil problem.

So my question is with so many calibers available, why is everybody so hot on the large and medium calibers, when 300 mag with 180gr bullets will take most everything on any continent, except dangerous game when a repeater makes more sense.

On squirrels I call my .204 the "hammer from hell" being that it submits as 32 grain pill at just over 4000 fps.

Thatis an easy one...It's because we like'em!

I haven't been without at least one .375H&H for several decades. I knew that I wanted one to use when I went to Africa, so I practiced with them for 30 or so years. It's one of my favourite calibers.

I also love the Ruger #1's, despite their several shortcomings. I've always wanted an 1885, so when came along in .375, or course it piqued my interest. Why not?

With so many sub-compact econobox cars around, which perform their functions perfectly for 99.9% of the driving we do, why do so many people drive Vettes, Jags, Hummers, SUV's, etc.? It just makes no sense!

John

I think the stock design suited to the individual is the biggest difference, I found my #1 in 375 h&h a pussycat in felt recoil and my #1 in 458 Lott is not too bad either, yet I find my RSM 458 lott punishing?

Just as an addendum to this thread: The 1885 in .375 was sold, apparently the day before I decided to buy it. A couple of days later I ran into the new owner at my gun club and had a chance to shoot it.

ARRRGH! It's a pussycat! Fairly heavy (I'm guessing 10 pounds with 1-4 scope), long barrel, decent recoil pad. Much more comfortable than a Ruger #1 in that chambering.

As you say, choppa, I guess each combination of gun and shooter is a law unto itself. Oh, well...at least now I know....

John

You can thank me later by letting me shoot it some time:

Win 1885 in 375H&H

quote:

Originally posted by mrjulian_1970:
You can thank me later by letting me shoot it some time:

Win 1885 in 375H&H

Yes, that's the same configuration as the one that I was considering. I didn't realize that it was a limited run...now I'll probably never find another.

quote:

Originally posted by jwm:
Yes, that's the same configuration as the one that I was considering. I didn't realize that it was a limited run...now I'll probably never find another.

That gun auction is re-listed...no one bought it for the starting price. So you still have a chance.

1885

You'll notice even my 22-250Rem has a recoil pad, not that it needs it. But that 28" barrel sure milks every last bit of velocity from that cartridge. Not sure if I'd want a 375 H&H rifle with that long a barrel.

With a 28" barrel I would assume the overall length would be about the same as a bolt gun with a 24" tube.

Sounds pretty enticing to me.

JWM you better hurry on that re-listed auction... I'm starting to talk myself into it. About 3 weeks ago I bought the same gun in 45/70 and I can tell you it is extremely well-made, solid, and accurate. Also, pretty comfortable to shoot even with "modern gun" level reloads (405gr bullet @ 2000fps)

Unfortunately, I am a subject of the People's Republic of Canuckistan, so I won't be buying any guns off an internet website.

Our government is so terminally anal about firearms that I could probably get into trouble just for posting on this website.

John