I have a new No1 26" bbl, 7.5 lb, circasian stock Lipsey special. Its my dream ideal weight and barrel configuration in a 45/70 No1. I have mounted a Nikon omega scope. Looks and feels great.

I've shot it with two different factory 300 grain loads, Winchester and Remington. Although POI shifted a few inch both group over 1.5 inch @ 100 yards. I say over cause I only need 3 shots to get the general idea. Maybe this is normal for a Ruger No1, but it was a bit disappointed the week after I test fired my new CZ527 carbine in 223. The 223 will put three shots in one hole only slightly larger than one hole from the 45/70. And that was with cheapest Golden eagle ammo available. I am really tempted to try an Winchester 1885 Traditional Sporter in 45/70, extra weight and all (9 lbs!! OMG what are they thinking!!).

I am not ready to give up yet, but two loads almost identical performance. I like to use these 300 grain loads, but I will probably try something else. Is there a pet factory load that anyone has found to shoot well in the No1 45/70 or some other gun?

My goal would be ~1 inch (moa) so I could fool around and shoot some small game and was hoping to use same ammo I have have been with my iron sited Marlin 45/70. Is that a reasonable expectation or is 1.5-2.0 inch more the norm for a typical 45/70 with factory loads?

Searching the web, I have seen quite a few bragging size groups posted by 1885 owners and precious few No1 groups. And some complaints about No1 about forearms, which I don't quite follow. I would assume Ruger has this sorted out by now?

I cannot quite remember for sure, I thing both groups tended to be more horizontal than vertical, not that two three shot groups would tell all that much. Definitely not a vertical grouping.