ULTIMATE Hunting Rifle of The Year

[@locarnese5598]

Hi, USOG - I'm the guy at Uberti USA who designed the Courteney from the ground up and named it after the great Selous. Imagine my surprise when I saw this video! Very humbled at your kind words. Thank you, godspeed and good hunting!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hello Locarnese - You did a great thing - I applaud you! Please send me an email at [e-mail] All the best to you and all the fine people at Uberti who have been bringing us great guns for so long; and for having the vision to put into production your brilliant idea.

[@glenpick1]

Please take all the plaudits that come your way - you have designed a masterpiece - as Mike said - once you shoulder a Courteney - it all makes total sense.

[@locarnese5598]

@@glenpick1 Wow, thank you. I guess all the years I've spent drooling after classic British rifles have paid off! :-)

[@barkerjames1980]

I bought one of these fine rifles at a gun show in Livingston, Montana just today. I'm very anxious to take it out and see what it'll do!

[@johnkertzman3223]

If they introduced one chambered for 9.3x74r I will buy one!

[@louislarose6613]

A great choice for Hunting rifle of the year ! As a Canadian ,in British Columbia, I have taken many head of game with a variety of .303 British rifles. Even Moose with the Jungle Carbine. A very capable caliber for sure.

[@starnavigator6665]

Hi guys. I’d like to jump in and say that I picked up now favorite bullet in a Ruger #1 in 300 H&H and absolutely am in LOVE 🥰 with single shots!!! I am one of those girls with not big bones or much meat on me so to speak lol and I can handle that 300 Holland no problems!!! Love your channel!!

[@dphauto6863]

I have dealt with Clay Smiley at Prophet River and I have always been impressed with what a well run business he has. The staff are first rate and as far as I'm concerned their website is the model for a proper gun shop website, multiple hi- res pictures of each item in most cases, and the site is very well maintained; i.e. when an item is sold it's removed, not left to clutter up your searches. Thanks to USOG for all your great videos but it really hits home when someone you know is mentioned within the video.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi dph - Clay is such an honest and good man - I wish more people were like him. Thanks for the note.

[@rogerwilliams2629]

I was just thinking..I have 3 other interests besides guns, that I've been passionate about since the early 60s.. I peruse video channels of all of them. It just dawned on me this is the only channel I've seen of my great interests where I ALWAYS learn something. That is remarkable.

[@08Barclay]

Beautiful rifle in a truly great caliber. In my youth here in British Columbia, most hunters /farmers, in the interior, had a surplus SMLE in .303, that put Moose in the larder for winter. That same rifle did yeoman service as a predator rifle, coyotes to Grizzly’s. the .303 isn’t a hot rod, but gets the job done when a rifleman does their part, all over the world.

[@lohikarhu734]

Many's the SMLE or 'jungle carbine' crossed the cash desk at Army and Navy ;-), to many a hunter, or farmer, all over the province, Vancouver to Horsefly to Ft. St John...

[@TheBowhunterinNB]

Iron sights are a must on any rifle I buy and it has been a pet peeve of mine. The fact that a well informed gentleman such has yourself is on the same page, makes me feel validated.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

You were right all along.

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

I totally agree with you about rifles with out sights. Some rifles just don’t need a telescopic sight but all rifles should have a good set of iron sights.

[@Freeeeeeeedoooooooom]

I completely agree with your thoughts on iron sights. It's as strange to me as manual transmissions not being offered in most vehicles these days.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hello Sir Gregory - Yes - another mystery : manual transmissions are easy to find in Europe - I remember asking for an automatic once over there and the fellow nicely asked my if I was disabled. I drive one on this side of the great waters - but it was not easy to find.

[@timbucker]

I also prefer manual gearboxes and iron sights. Just wish my eyes were better.

[@shawnhulke7385]

Beautiful rifles. I’m with you on the iron sights.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks for the note Shawn

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

USOG you are absolutely correct that a rifle should have Iron sights from the factory that produces it.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you Christina - I'm amazed how easily the industry veered from such a basic feature. Oh well - I guess we can find some ourselves. All the best to you.

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns you are welcome.

[@rupertmcnaughtdavis3649]

Love the rifle, love the calibre. Wonderful to know that there still is a rifle made in 303! Agreed, iron sights should be standard on all rifles.

[@Mike-zw7fq]

This rifle would be neat in 7mm-08. Best Wishes from Montana!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

You're right - that would be sharp. All the best to you in Montana

[@PrimetimeNut]

Good luck out there! Be safe and stay warm and dry. Couldn’t agree more regarding your remarks on iron sights. Our hunting styles sound similar and more often than not things get up close and personal out of the blue. Handiness is very important.

[@ronlafitte6864]

My thoughts exactly!

[@vresor]

What a great choice for the Hunting Rifle of the Year in a time when newfangled technology so often dominates the news cycles. I love it!

[@douglasfletcher1066]

Excellent choice. I've had one for about a year. It's truly a classic, well made rifle. The trigger is excellent. The forend tip, rounded wrist and red recoil pad are nice cosmetic touches. I took a slightly different approach regarding the sights by ordering the "non-railed" quarter rib sight base from Uberti and removed the blade sight, added a Lyman peep rear with a Parker Hale adjustable aperture. The front sight hood helps the "circle in a circle" picture. Probably not best for hunting but serves well for paper punching. I've attached a canvas sling (Tourbon) and brass sling swivels, think it adds to the classic look. Thank you for the review -

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

I like the approach you took - the Lyman is superb. I spin out the small aperture and the sight is very fast and accurate for hunting - as you likely know. Anyway - Uberti came up with a very special rifle - and not that hard to build - but no one else thought of it I suppose - or not a major manufacturer anyway. Thanks for the note.

[@marcogram1216]

Nice setup. I would cringe if I had to spoil that rifle with a scope. Congratulations on finding one.

[@douglasfletcher1066]

Thanks. I'm hoping for a 22 Hornet or 6.5 Swede version. I've heard there's a 45/70 coming or just released but while y eyes are still in good shape my shooting shoulder likes to take it easy.

[@cs-rj8ru]

I thought about buying one, but the bloated buttstock turned me off. it's not a good fit for the rest of the rifle. Something a bit trimmer, such like on a Ruger 1 would have been better. I dont think I've ever seen such a bloated stock on any sporter.

[@barkerjames1980]

Thanks, as always, for your honest gun reviews! I've mentioned it before, probably on some of your Instagram posts, that you and I share nearly identical preferences in rifles. I just picked up one of these Uberti Courteney Stalking Rifles at a gun show in Montana just today, is new in the box, I don't think it was ever fired once it left the factory. I handled it and fell in love! Naturally, it was dark by the time I got home so I couldn't test it out. I'll find out tomorrow how much I like it!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Congrats on that purchase! I find the Courteney an instinctive shooter - easy to hit without much thinking or aiming. All the best.

[@barkerjames1980]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns thank you! I just went out and fired ten rounds through it. It is a wonderful rifle, beautiful shooter!

[@krockpotbroccoli65]

That Uberti is absolutely beautiful. I like the POW pistol grip, the case hardening, the thin, blued barrel. Just a fine looking rifle.

[@davecollins6113]

Hmm, I understand your point on the front weighted factor on the Win, but, I remember noticing it this year when I swung offhand on a couple of deer, and really liked how fast I settled on target with it and that 28" bbl., it was really smooth for me. Not that I wouldn't like one of the Uberti's, like the finishing touches they put on those guns. My "Safari version Shot Show special" 300H&H came with irons, old style buckhorns, but, they are irons.

[@gusloader123]

@Dave Collins: Agree with the long barrel idea for weight and for extra velocity. Every time a barrel loses an inch in length, the cartridge loses about 100 F.P.S. velocity. No sense buying a big or magnum size cartridge if you chop down the barrel length. That .45-70 in the video needs a longer barrel. Also, the heavier longer barrel helps reduce felt recoil.

[@stevenkennedy4130]

I'm right there with you, on the iron sights. Thanks for the share!!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you Steven : )

[@michaelguerin56]

Beautiful rifle. Just need that Lotto win to buy one!

[@paulharding1621]

I love single shot rifles for deer stalking here in the UK, thanks for the mention! I have three Ruger No1’s and a Sharps 1874. Unfortunately none in 303 British.

[@paulsimmons5726]

Iron sights! Yep, you and I have commented about irons so many times. There just aren't that many irons users around anymore but it's a great time to own a scope manufacturing company, LOL! Take care and have a great weekend!

[@rhodes1591]

John Browning ... it will be hard to beat him. Nice video. This is a beauty. True passion speaking. 👍🏻

[@avocado9763]

Great channel! Excellent dissertation on rifle.

[@RH-xr8ms]

I finally got an Uberti, 45/70 with 30 inch octagon barrel . Whew,,,its HEAVY, but with the steel butt plate, the weight is appreciated especially when the rifle is fed Buffalo Bore +P or Grizzly +P ammunition. I absolutely LOVE this rifle. I also have another keeper 45/70 from Henry. Cant beat em !! Thanks for the good videos !!! Keep em coming.

[@allenwilson5235]

100% agreement on the iron sights.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

A rifle without sights is a shotgun that fires one pellet : )

[@Mooseracks]

I know Clay Smilie personally.. and purchased a half dozen fire arms from Prophet River firearms. Fantastic people to work with

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

A more honest, hard working and truly good man would be hard to find.

[@Mooseracks]

​@@UnitedStatesOfGuns and it makes a difference and reflects in business and people who work there... I am in BC now, but I STILL do business with Prophet River Firearms shop

[@dennishein2812]

I agree about open sights and hammers. Rifles should all have iron sights.

[@Tony-om5kr]

It was fun to see your enthusiasm for this rifle. I haven't hunted in a long time, 26 years, but if I do I prefer to use the first rifle I bought while attending college 50 years ago, a pre-war Winchester Model 70 in 30-06. I do like the 303 British round; I reload for a No 4 Mk2 that I picked up a quarter century ago.

[@michaellilly9393]

Always enjoy your videos thank you for the knowledge. Take care

[@canucklehead0]

Thank-you for this wonderful Hunting Rifle Of The Year!!! The .303 British has been the best round for the hunting I do and I have harvested White Tails to Moose with my rifle. I would love to find an Uberti falling block like you have, but my old Lee Enfield has yet to fail me so why change things now. The only thing that might get me to spend some cash on a new rifle will be if they make that new 6.8 Western round somewhat affordable to the normal guy who shoots a few weekends and then has a dedicated hunting season where he goes out. Something under a $1000.00 CAD bare gun would be nice from either Winchester or Browning. Until next time, I wish you luck in your hunting pursuits!!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you! All the best to you as well.

[@mikehagan4320]

It is Good to watch a video from you again. Happy Hunting! Best Wishes from Montana! M.H.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hello Mike! You bet - I'm hanging on : ) I send those best wishes right back to you and the great people of Montana! I receive plenty of mail from the mountain, hunting, freedom, reason and nature state. God Bless.

[@kennethbailey2616]

I just bought a Tikka T3X in .308. I plan to use it deer hunting. The .303 accounted for a lot of Luftwaffe aircraft by the RAF. I don’t have a rifle in that caliber but if I can find one like yours I will try and get it. I love the old classic calibers and the rifles that are chambered in them. Good luck out in the bush.

[@chrism4008]

Just wanna say, i GREATLY enjoy your videos. I cant give a precise reason, but i love your videos!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

I'm so grateful that you're here and that my videos are okay

[@nerradnosnhoj5122]

Profet River , thats a Saskatchewan dealer , great folks up there ,

[@lorenlieder9789]

Great rifle in a grand old cartridge. I have several 1885"s and I love them!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Good on you Loren!

[@charleywalker2982]

Thanks for sharing your videos and keep them coming please.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you Charley! Will do 👍

[@davidgendron1953]

Great video!! It was great to see you again and bonus, you are talking about my favorite style of rifles, the single shot!! And those are great exemples!! The Uberti looks awesome!!

[@davidkeith571]

Great hearing the deeper info on these older guns. What a great job you have!

[@ryananderson3760]

This is exactly what I been looking for. The length of barrel and overall weight of the rifle is what has held me back from buying a Winchester or browning 1885. That truly looks like a perfect rifle for still hunting or tracking.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Ryan - I waited for years and finally - a proper hunting rifle in a classic caliber. Yes scopes are nice - but the irons on the Uberti are superb.

[@ryananderson3760]

About a month and a half ago I decided that that I simply couldn’t take it anymore. I put an order in for one of these rifles after watching this video several times and staring at uberti’s website. Just got it today. You are absolutely correct about this rifle. It is a dream to handle. I’m on target as soon as I raise it to my shoulder. For hunting the north woods of MN(which are quite thick), this will perfectly complement my style of still hunting. I can’t wait for a warm day to take it to the range. And, afterward to attempt to hunt with it this fall. Thanks for your content. I enjoy your videos very much.

[@guaporeturns9472]

I have always felt the same way about open sights. A rifle or pistol should always have open sights.. scope can be added later.

[@johncrimi4397]

Agreed Mike, certainly nicest rifle i have seen in a long time. I am now looking for one. The understated elegance of such a rifle, made in our modern times warms my heart.

[@surfstrat59]

I love the .303 cartridge! Thank you for another wonderful video...

[@edhoff3587]

Great video. I have a few comments; I prefer an optic sight but I agree rifle should have iron sights from the factory. Also I don't know why guns with exposed hammers are a problem. My 14 year old son started at about 8-9 years old with a hammer rifle(Browning BLR) and he did fine with it and still uses it. When he took his hunters safety class he was the only student out of the 20 or so kids that knew how to let down a hammer. Amazing other kids didn't know something so simple in my mind. And as far as the rifles my favorite rifle is the Browning 1885 in 45-70 that i've had for 20 years now. It's a great rifle and 2 years ago I put an Aimpoint Red Dot 9000 sight on it. Man that was a game changer, so simple to use and quick on target and best of all the short length and unlimited eye relief of that sight allows it to use the standard Leupold rings and bases and as so the eye piece is just in front of the falling block so there is no problems with haveing clearence between the scope and hammer and also the chamber for loading. My next rifle on my wish list is the Ruger No1. really enjoyed your other video about the ruger No 1 as well. .

[@nathanlambshead4778]

The best rifle I ever had was a Browning 1885 in 30-06. I believe it was a 26 inch barrel. Can't remember now. Mine had a pistol grip style stock. Wish I still had it. A total tack driver. And the reason I bought it over a Ruger #1 was the hammer. I like open hammers. Period.

[@GoetzFamilyAsia]

I had a Browning 1885 Hight Wall in 30-06 caliber. I actually wanted to have it converted to 7x57mm. But because of the octagonal barrel I abandoned that idea. It was a very good gun.

[@nathanlambshead4778]

@@GoetzFamilyAsia Nice. Yes, I loved mine. It was not an octagonal barrel though. Round, Tapered heavy barrel.

[@Lou.B]

Great looking rifle, and even your handling of it gives the sense of its almost self-guided responsiveness. I DEFINITELY support your musings on a book! Your range of skills and experience, international lens, a foundation that encompasses a broad historical time frame, and beneath it all, a metric that keeps the focus on Hunting would combine to produce a fascinating read, I'm certain. Please sign me up for a copy - of the FIRST edition! May your reverence for the Field fill your tag with a Bountiful yield.

[@w.peterroberts9624]

Another fine video. Thank you Mike. Uberti did a terrific job with that rifle. Some old timer said that if a .303 won't suffice you need some target practice!

[@normanmallory2055]

This is good!! I agree with the single shot and model!! Used to be a number of Browning 78 model around where I live !! I bought one with octagon barrel !! The design is great but Ruger no.1 I also like and own!!

[@herbertwessel2412]

Very nice video again. It’s a rifle you can call „needs related“. Very safe because you cock it at the same time you align the sights to the game. Karamojo Bell used .303 for elephant hunting, so this cartrigde is powerful enough for most of our hunting. Iron sights request perhaps a little more training at the shooting range. You have to get closer, maybe by travelling on your belly through the little trenches or ditches in the field. For me this is real hunting. Today we happily hunt for the first time this year pheasants and hares in our village in Northern Germany. Thanks a lot.

[@herbertwessel2412]

@@the1knifepro169 I read „Wanderings Of An Elephant Hunter“, Mr Bell was a very impressive man and hunter. By myself I use a Mod 1903 Mannlicher Stutzen rechambered 1956 to 7x57, a Heeren vertical block action in 6,5x57R and a side by side combination gun chambered 28/70 and 6,5x57R. All of them are enough rifle for hunting in Europe.

[@herbertwessel2412]

Yesterday my 139 years old Wesley Richards chambered in 20/65 was with me. Ist is totally original with damascus barrels, the Anson &Deeley boxlock is from the inside like new. But from the outside of the barrels there you see only the pure damascus pattern , no brown coating. It´s weight is 2,4kg and the lead in the cartridge is 24g. The Wesley Richards came to me as a child to a virgin, I did not know anything about Wesley Richards when I bought this gun. The Heeren rifle was a dream for forty years til I found this Heym build in 1930 in Suhl. The Mannlicher popped up in Egun and spontaneously I had no other choice than buying it two years ago. Mr Hartmann of Hartmann&Weiss in Hamburg, a very skilled and internationally well known 80 years old gunsmith told me that the Stutzen is totally original with spring loaded cheekpiece and peep sight and an Oigee 4x riflescope. KZbin video „Steyr Evolution“ 3:23 shows exactly this fire arm. So I am a very happy hunter for sure.

[@greybone777]

7x57 Mauser and he only suits shooting from a stand or machan to place shots from this rifle into the ear hole of years elephant. Man I get sick of people acting like 303 or other small bores are elephant guns.

[@herbertwessel2412]

@@greybone777 Small bores are no elephant cartrigdes I agree. I also know I am not Mario Andretti when driving my car to the supermarket.

[@herbertwessel2412]

@@the1knifepro169 So it is, world class marksmanship is exceptional, we all are not worldclass I suppose, but sometimes there is one. The uncle of my wife, Walter eigthy years old got every high pheasant standing besides me I got none, he was a national champion in clay shooting so I started serious training. I improved, but I’m not a champion.

[@MarcosCaminante]

The Courteney Stalking rifle is at the top of my wish list. Look at it! That is what a Stalking rifle should look like. Thanks as always for the work.

[@russellmiller212]

There is no gentleman on planet earth with the diverse knowledge, hands on experience and deep appreciation you have for traditional firearms Michael! The 'Prince of the Gun' I will name you sir. I will think of you while I'm indulging in my new AB3 on opening day here in Wisconsin! I am inlove with the nostalgic, beautifully crafted Remington Rolling Block, Sharps rifle, Trapdoor and your exquisite bush rifle chambered in 45-70 GOVT!! I also 'fall into the wild' and am very confident in my ability to succeed without additional support. Just a fine extension of myself, which delivers safe, quick, effective, humane shots to target!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you Russell - I am humbled by your kind and so generous words.🙏

[@strokersteve468]

Thanks for the video, always enjoy them. Best wishes on your hunting.

[@pierevojzola9737]

Hi, many thanks for talking us through your thoughts on these rifles. My experience is only in the rifles I have actually used as a hunter and a soldier (20 years for Queen & Country). I have never collected rifles but have experienced using many types over the years and have always thought of them as are they accurate and can you depend on them for your life? Not much to ask but hard to find when the government is your provider of choice! The most dependable and accurate rifle for me has been the last of the 303 Enfield issued; because of the mechanism and therefore the ability to put down fast accurate fire. The best example I ever seen of a good rifle and a good shooter was in 1977 on the Army ranges in Rotorua NZ when I took a platoon of 6 RNZIR soldiers for zeroing their Brit SLR’s. We zeroed in at 100yds and again at 200 in the prone position, we then went back at 100 yard intervals all the way to 600 yards where I had the last six soldiers hitting the Army Figure 11 target six times out of ten rounds in the standing position! It was only later in the Mess that I found out that they were all deer cullers! Cheers mate. Harera

[@letsdothis9063]

That's precisely why there are so many excellent marksmen from the US. We have a lot of hunters. In many areas we are given .22s about the same time that we were given bikes. I have two girls. They aren't really interested in shooting. I certainly hope that changes. Some of my best memories were going out to my grandparents property. My dad would give me a "brick" (550 round box) of .22 long rifle. I would take my 3 favorite rifles. One was a single shot. One was a ten shot bolt action, and my favorite was a Ruger 10/22, a semi auto. I would shoot that whole brick before we went back home. Of course, I wasn't just let loose without proper safety training. My cousin, who was raised much like myself, went on to earn the distinguished marksman patch during his service.

[@edwardweiszbeck1649]

I agree with you about iron sights. I will not own any gun without iron sights

[@wdtaut5650]

11:27 "It has a rim, which is great for a single shot." Glad you made that point. I was thinking that as you started showing the rifle. 12:44 "If you had to have a scope..." If I couldn't make the open sights work, I'd try a reflex red dot. Quick target acquisition and plenty accurate for the kind of shots you anticipate.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Great post!

[@webebadd]

Thank you, I really enjoy guns and the cartridges you demonstrate.

[@gordongrice9856]

Great presentation Mike, I like to watch a couple of your videos everyday. I'm kind of a dinosaur so I don't even know what that patreon is, maybe I can find a preschooler to help me out. Singleshot rifle or lever action rifles without iron sights, well there should be a law against that. And scopes are questionable too. If your eyesight is getting bad sneak up closer. Thanks again and God bless.

[@Jims2517]

This reminds me of the days when my dad and uncles, ww2 vets all were intelligent, gentlemen hunters and shooting enthusiasts. Nice to see not all shooting enthusiasts are para military hunters.

[@garyK.45ACP]

I love single shots! Beautiful rifles. And I agree with you on iron sights. I have many rifles and few have scopes. The few that do have 2x or 2.5x fixed power scopes. I really would love to have one of the Uberti 1885 and the .303 British is an outstanding cartridge for North American (and most African) hunting. I am a handloader, so the lack of ammo choices don't bother me, I'll make my own. But the 180 gr. bullet is great for just about everything. Canadians love the cartridge and lots of moose and bears in Canada have been killed by the .303 Brit. Great choice for "Hunting Rifle of the Year" I doubt it is "color case hardening". Not necessary with modern technology. It is more likely chemically "case colored". Case hardening is an old technology to achieve a purpose. The colors were a by-product of the process. Actual casehardened guns lost their bright colors over many decades, as will chemically case colored guns, but it is a very attractive finish...on some guns. And single shots are one of them.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Gary - Great post. The color hardening may well be their usual chemical "dip" - I'm not sure. What an amazing result though - hard to believe how close they are to the old method. I can understand if they us chemicals; the old way sometimes caused warpage and the colors were sometimes amazing ....or not. Doug Turnbull turns out some amazing colors using some pretty exotic methods that one has to be careful with - I'm sure you know. All the best to you.

[@robertakerson7186]

Mr. USOG- That seems like a Perfect Rifle! I don't need another rifle, but if I saw one of these I reckon I would buy it anyhow. As you say, the .303 can about do it all, and single shot rifle cartridges should be rimmed like the Almighty intended.

[@gusloader581]

Here, Here ! :-)

[@tbjtbj4786]

I have been looking at that rifle since it was introduced. It looks very nice. I wonder if they will bring one out in the 275 Rigby (7×57)? That would be another classic.

[@jonlennon3348]

What a splendid hunting rifle. People poo poo the 303 brit but they are wrong. It is right in line with the 30-06 if loaded correctly. What do these retail for anyways?

[@JamieMG]

Ellwood Epps. I spent many a fine a dollar there! Every chance I get if I’m in the area. Brilliant video USOG. Thank you for sharing. I have a few .303 British Enfields including the No.5 JC. At a time it would’ve seemed a birth right up here in the great white north 🥶 for every household to have 303 British sporter 😂 The Uberti is going for up to $2695.00 Cdn here today. I am seriously considering buying one of these while they’re in stock. Once again Great video!

[@glenpick1]

Another great portrayal of my favourite genre - may long live the single shot falling block - I own a Uberti 1885 in 45 Colt that has the most beautiful factory timber but its nicest feature is its incredible trigger - it beaks at a just under 2 pounds with no creep - by far my favourite falling block to shoot - Can you inform us Mike what the trigger pull is like on your new 303 Courteney? Thanks again for all you do.

[@brianlee6849]

Very nice 👍. I keep wanting to get an 1885 because they're such a elegant beautiful rifle. I agree with you Mike it's very annoying when a rifle doesn't have sites from the factory. That Uberti is very nice I would be happy with 303 and the stock did look odd until you shouldered it then it looked totally natural looked like your eye alignment was perfect. I've watched lots of videos on Canadians talking about the 303 for moose large deer military Target whatever you want that 303 is very effective cartridge similar to the 308 but you can shoot much heavier bullets with it. I also really like that short 45-70 very sweet handy little rifle and a very useful brush cartridge. Thank you Mike

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thank you Brian - our Indigenous people are remarkable hunters and shooters - I knew one fellow who had a .303 which he shot so instinctively he could shoot birds on the wing with it - which I witnessed. He showed me the antlers of everything he had taken with that rifle - it looked like a museum collection. Naturally, all meat went to the band. Last I saw of him he was headed into a muskegy thicket after moose again. The .303 can do it all - especially with a shot like that. All the best.

[@brianlee6849]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns I love that story. Yes a 303 in the right hands can do anything you want it to do. Thanks Mike

[@subterfusion4005]

Soon as you picked up that Browning 1885 with those .303 cartridges laying up there, i knew what the rifle of the year was!

[@varanid9]

Just bought the .45-70 with looong octagon barrel; am having a replica 1800s tube scope on it now. I just found out about this rifle by accident last night while cruising the net. I definitely have to get one!

[@marcogram1216]

Excellent rifle. A ghost ring rear sight would help for people that have less than adequate vision. That beautiful rifle has a Ghost In The Darkness look to it. The first shot counts.

[@wiregrassga]

That rifle is so elegant and hunting with a firearm that lovely adds to the total experience in my mind. I need this rifle and .303 could not be a better choice.

[@flintrichards945]

That is a really beautiful little rifle it just looks perfect for hunting and I like the 303 British also I would not mind having one of those I agree with your choice completely thank you for another great video very informative.

[@raycarl7933]

A ‘Marbles Bullseye’ rear sight on that carbine would be just dandy.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Great idea Ray

[@totizabayle377]

Those are real nice lookiing rifles. Although i don't hunt anymore, I still have my Savage model 99 .300 Savage, Browning BLR '71 .308 and my favorite the Winchester 670 in 30 06.

[@fedup3582]

I like the 1885. I have had a number of them, high wall and low wall. I presently own a limited edition Browning B78 that was built on the current 1885 action. It is in 30-06 and has a 24 inch barrel instead of the standard 28 inch, making it quite compact. It also has the pistol grip stock of the B78, which also has extensive feathercrotch figure. Beautiful rifle and shoots well. I also have the 1885 carbine, like you showed here, in 30-40 krag. I have scopes on both as I'm getting older and my sight isn't what it once was. The 30-40 krag is very accurate too, and both have worked very well hunting. Maybe I missed it, but what calibers are yours chambered in?

[@carycary5824]

I’m going to look for one!! Thank you sir!!!! Great video again as usual!!!! Bud Cary Kansas City Missouri.

[@Idahoguy10157]

A John Browning rifle caught the attention of Winchester Repeating Arm company. Winchester General Manager Bennett went to Ogden Utah in 1883 and negotiated the Rights to it.

[@stevedempsey5717]

nice mention of the 303 in a time when shooters are conditioned to get bench performance with the next greatest and best new round; and turn their nose up on the time proven . thanks

[@kris308100]

Hi, USOG. How do you clean the barrels on your falling blocks?. Do you drop the action out or simply fully cock and push your rod in over the top of the hammer?. What kind of a bore guide do you use?. Can you recommend one?. Ive just ordered my first falling block, the Uberti Courtney in .303. Many thanks for all of your videos. They are great.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hello - For the hammerless designs I lower the lever and clean with the muzzle tilted down from the breech. For the falling blocks with hammers I do the same thing except if the rod doesn't quite clear the top of the hammer I hold the hammer down that last 1/8 inch with a couple of elastic bands wrapped around the stock. I don't use a bore guide. Over the decades the simple system I use seems to work well. Hope this helps.

[@kris308100]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns Perfect. That really does help, many thanks. I've been waiting nearly six months for my Uberti now. Hopefully not long to go. Please keep your videos coming. I love your reviews of these beautiful old rifles and its nice to listen to the knowledge you have on the subject. All the best from the UK!.

[@andventure6514]

I believe when the manufacturer specifies case “colored” they are all chemical etching for aesthetics. Case hardened is largely irrelevant due to superior steel materials now available. At any rate the überti is beautiful! A gun I would be proud to own. Great channel! Always enjoy seeing these beautiful rifles.

[@greybone777]

Interesting, didn't know that 🤔

[@fedup3582]

Color case hardening isn't irrelevant, if nothing else, it adds considerably to the aesthetics.

[@Tony-fb1ij]

​@@fedup3582you missed the point that it's irrelevant to modern metals. That's why they just do "case coloring" not actual hardening.

[@Iceaxehikes]

Opening day tomorrow for Elk and Deer in Wyoming. Ruger #1 in 30 06 is going along to fill my tags. Edit: mine has iron sights and i agree 100% that all rifles should have them from the factory.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Best of luck and safety : )

[@Iceaxehikes]

@@UnitedStatesOfGuns got my elk this morning at 9 am. Bighorn mtns Wyoming. Nice Cow Elk.

[@haroldmilroy4489]

Clay certainly is a great guy who’ll go out of his way to help

[@oldgoat1890]

Not really a fan of the .303 British, but had one when I was a kid. It had been chopped down into a deer rifle and had enough ordnance stampings on it to have worked it's way around the world twice. Back when I still had good eyesight, that gun was unbelievabley accurate with iron sights. I now even need glow sights on the flintlock to shoot it. If I could find a single shot like that, it probably become a favorite.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Worth a try OG - the Selous is something. Take care.

[@bradleystrand81]

Nice rifle. It's funny, I was just looking into these more after discovering they also chamber it in 45-70. It would fantastic if they offered it chambered in more rimmed cartridges over time. How do you find the shell ejection? On some of the videos I've watched of it being shot, it seems the .303 version has very anemic shell ejection or none at all.

[@u.p.woodtick3296]

Amen......All rifles sold in the USA should be equipped with iron sights 👍🇺🇸

[@robspath4203]

That little carbine is just about perfect. I’ve wanted an 1885 with a heavy long range barrel, authentic configuration, but where I live a short range carbine is more practical. Thanks for the video!

[@brucemeyer2481]

Got one in .357mag. Run .38spl 158gr LRN through it. Big fun @ 50 yds!

[@robspath4203]

@@brucemeyer2481 I have always wanted a 357 rifle too! Oh boy.

[@kennethsproul9107]

I know you're a big enthusiast, as I am, in regards to both the Ruger no. 1, and the 35 Whelen. My question is concerning whether customizing a factory original rifle always negatively effects resale value? I recently purchased a used Ruger no. 1B in 25 06 in like new condition, and shortly after acquiring it, had professionally rebored to 35 Whelen. I personally felt that the balance, weight, and length of this model was extremely suitable for the hard hitting 35 Whelen, even more so than the factory 35 W. offerings....The 25 06 is considered somewhat rarer, and commands good resale potential, but I feel that I created a great and unique custom model that Ruger should have produced? How badly did I hurt the collectable value of the factory 25 06, or do some alterations actually enhance marketability? I can handle the truth, and Ill still love the rifle...

[@Mr.Big-Gunz]

My favorite rifle "Would've"ben my Ruger #1 chambered in 223 Rem, because it's the most accurate rifle i own,, but it doesn't have iron sights,, & since it has no iron sights I'd have to say my favorite is my Winchester 94 chambered in 30-30,, it's light weight, it has iron sights, it's acurate enough,,& it hits hard...

[@gbaughman3348]

Love the comment about hunting the way it has been and always will be. I'm a big fan of fast single and double rifles

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks for the note GB. The more things change, the more they stay the same. I think a French philosopher wrote there words. I always liked them.

[@georgecruz6226]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL RIFLE!

[@richarddixon7276]

You Really Should write a book , I'd buy it and I'm sure I'd thoroughly enjoy the read . Thanks for the video .

[@jimf1964]

What a well timed video! So I was offered a rifle very similar to your 1885, but it’s left handed, with a cheek piece. I know you change stocks a lot, and I was wondering if it would be a big deal to make it right handed? Is it just a matter of sanding off the cheek piece, or are the curved? The other issue is it’s 357 magnum, and I have no idea what I’d hunt with it, but it’s just such a beautiful gun that I just love it. What do you say?

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Jim - Yes - that's easy - and it is also easy to get another stock without the cheekpiece - used ones are fairly common. Also, you can leave the cheekpiece on - it doesn't do anything - I shoot left often - and leave the right handed cheek piece as is. Just an idea : )

[@c.j.rogers2422]

Jim - 357mag in a carbine or rifle length barrel is fantastic for deer-sized game. Mild-shooting and accurate, and incredibly versatile, it picks up a lot of performance compared to its typical home in 2-6" barrels. From lightly-loaded, lightweight wadcutters for small game & birds to stiffly-charged 200gr hardcast for black bear & big undulates, that is a tool a man could disappear into the wilds with and have his bases covered.

[@jimf1964]

@@c.j.rogers2422 you really think it could take black bear well? I’m from up north in Canada btw. We don’t have scrawny S Carolina bears here 🙂

[@c.j.rogers2422]

@@jimf1964 I don't have any experience hunting BB with a 357, or anything else. I know it's very effective on deer & hog. Buffalo Bore says their heavy 158gr load will do more than 2100fps out of an 18" barrel. Nothing to sneeze at. That's sort of the range of run-of-the-mill 30-30, with more cross-section. I'm not saying it would be my 1st choice for beat, but in that one man/one gun scenario...

[@clintleffingwell8129]

You, sir, may have just stopped me from selling my Ruger #1's and an H&R 45-70 Officer's Model 100th Anniversary edition. Haven't been much of a single-shot guy, but I inherited these and so must now give them a fair try. Best wishes on your hunt. What are you hunting for this trip, if I may ask?

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Clint - Thank you whitetail and mule - and maybe bear if I see one. I just can't wait to head out - every time - even if I get nothing - I get a lot : )

[@paulbegley1464]

I love hammers. And I have one of them also 45‐70..I also have a Sharps 45‐70 both with iron sites no scope. That would be plain wrong. And I always like my guns with iron sites. I mean what do you do if your scope gets broken ?

[@Pifferfish]

What do you do if you break your irons?

[@paulbegley1464]

@@Pifferfish much harder to break. Other wise just get them fixed or shoot down the barrel ( get close ) it a lot cheaper than a scope and not top heavy. Needing tools to take off the scope.

[@dtcowlick]

Your videos are SO informative and enjoyable to watch. Please excuse my ignorance; what does "USOG" stand for and how does that relate to you, personally? Thanks so very much !!

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Hi Dan - Thanks for your kind words. USOG stands for United States of Guns - which is meant to include all states - worldwide that allow their citizens to own guns; which I personally believe is the truest feature of free societies. I receive sad letters from many places where governments declaw their citizens - or already have. I hope to help prevent that, if only in a small way, with my channel. All the best to you.

[@mikebeddingfield2144]

I'm with you about hammers there's a comfort in knowing you are ready to fire when you have visibl conformation. You don't get that with striker fired rifles.

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

I agree Mike - I prefer hammers. The others are okay as well I guess : )

[@johnmccrea8106]

Thank you!!! What great beautiful rifles!!!

[@rhodes1591]

Wish to have your opinion between a .300 Win. Mag. and a .303 British ... My favorite overall caliber is the .300 Win. Mag ... used it in Africa ! 🙂

[@brenthelton5674]

Don;t worry the channel is great you do a fine job and your passion shines through

[@UnitedStatesOfGuns]

Thanks Brent : )

[@redsky8509]

you found one you really like. thank you for sharing.

[@Anschutz270]

This may seem sacrilege but I'd put a small red dot on that if I wanted an optic. They only weigh a few ounces so you're not giving up any weight, low profile, and still quick to acquire.