Been thinking about picking up a single shot varmint (fox, coyote) rifle in either 223 or 22-250, and pretty much have it narrowed down to 2 possibilities - either a Browning 1885 or a Ruger #1. Having no first hand experience with either, I'm just wondering what you guys feel are the pros and cons of each - things like weight, accuracy, etc.
Single shot Varmint Rifle - Browning 1885 or Ruger #1?
- Thread starter Killer Kanuck
- Start date
I own one of each ( M1885 in in .270 and #1 in 30-06) and they are both about equally accurate. For fit and finish the Browning wins hands down. Also while I love the #1 action the 1885 is tighter and has a more "positive" and crisp feel to it. The 1885 is also easier to mount a scope on properly as the stock rings on a #1 don't leave much room for adjustment and you need a scope with a fair bit of eye relief -or buy some fairly costly offset rings - to get the scope far enough back.
Been there, done that. The 1885 is a great rifle, in terms of accuracy, style and strength. If you're looking for a handier rifle, I'd suggest looking for a "low wall" in .223. It's considerably lighter than the high wall (which is what your 22-250 is likely to be found in). One of my classier gopher rifles is an 1885 low wall in .221 Fireball (rechambered from .22 Hornet).
It absolutely delivers devastation on the little varmints. The 1885 low wall can also be (occasionally) found in .243 Win
which makes a formidable 'yote round.
Practically, though, if you're going to be hunting coyotes, you'll be doing it in cold weather. Bear in mind that the Browning has an exposed hammer, while the Ruger has a tang-mounted (sliding) shotgun-type safety. With a scope, there's simply not a lot of room for a gloved hand to "thumb" the hammer back (or down) on the 1885.
Sure, the No.1 requires a scope with a lot of eye relief (Leupold, Burris or Zeiss will do the trick), at least, when the time comes that you want to apply (or take off) the safety, the No. 1 will do it with more certainty, in my experience.
FWIW, the 1885 high wall makes a significantly longer and heavier package, whatever caliber it comes in. (Great for a big game rifle, though).
It absolutely delivers devastation on the little varmints. The 1885 low wall can also be (occasionally) found in .243 Win
which makes a formidable 'yote round. Practically, though, if you're going to be hunting coyotes, you'll be doing it in cold weather. Bear in mind that the Browning has an exposed hammer, while the Ruger has a tang-mounted (sliding) shotgun-type safety. With a scope, there's simply not a lot of room for a gloved hand to "thumb" the hammer back (or down) on the 1885.
Sure, the No.1 requires a scope with a lot of eye relief (Leupold, Burris or Zeiss will do the trick), at least, when the time comes that you want to apply (or take off) the safety, the No. 1 will do it with more certainty, in my experience.
FWIW, the 1885 high wall makes a significantly longer and heavier package, whatever caliber it comes in. (Great for a big game rifle, though).
Last edited:
One of the few guns I look at and go "yuck".
Not saying anything about how they operate, just don't like their lines, or lack there-of.
