Wyoming resident. Shoot the .300WM for everything. Mulies, bear, elk, moose, antelope, etc. I do use 150 grain for smaller game, 180 for elk moose. Lets face it, a well placed .22 can kill an elk. But, the reason you use larger calibers is so you don't have to chase it 'till it dies. Extremely hardy animals. You can shoot one perfect in the kill zone and still chase 'em for miles. The skin can literally close up behind the entry wound and not even leave a blood trail. If you want to wound one, use the 25-06. If you want meat in the freezer and a rack on the wall, go bigger.
That being said . . . I am seriously considering a Thompson Center Encore rifle in the 22-250 for varmints. Beauty is; you can buy additional barrels for a lot less than a new rifle, and they make a quality product.
I have a Contender pistol and am impressed. You mentioned the Ruger #1 which is a premium weapon,which tells me you are not opposed to a single shot break action rifle like the Encore. You can get it in black powder barrels too! All using the same frame and buttstock and forend (except for the black powder). Go to their site to see how many calibers they make. Barrels and stocks are all over eBay.