Anyone with Ruger No 1 Experience?

Dan360 · 04-29-2008, 04:54 PM

I am looking for a rifle to do some long-range deer hunting and elk hunting. I will probably get a 300 magnum of some type, which usually means 26 inch barreled rifle. Great for long range, not too handy in the elk woods. Then I thought, what about a Ruger No 1B? Long barrel, no bolt action, shorter rifle! I started doing some reading and it seems like people are more polarized about Ruger No 1 rifles than Chevy vs Ford enthusiasts. Some say they are tack drivers and some say they are devil's spawn.

Which is it? I read an article in RifleShooter saying that barrel inconsistency was an issue in the past with Ruger rifles, but has been nearly eliminated with better quality control in the 90's.

Anyone have their

to give? I'd really appreciate it. I've always yearned for one of these elegant rifles. Before I spend the $800 for one, I'd like to have a better idea of what I'm getting into.

scottishsetter · 04-29-2008, 05:10 PM

Accuracy seems to be about that fore-end hanger ; help is related to drilling that hanger and appying pressure via a set screw towards the Bbl.
I like the #1 and in hunting situs; I've shot low primer no fire; then another and it went over target;then the next loaded up round went on target and a four pt. deer down.
Accuracy; seems to be that hanger and there are articles out there on fixing it. Love 'em.

Old Coot · 04-29-2008, 06:23 PM

Nailed over two dozen deer with one in 30-06. Then, like a damfool, sold it because I wanted an octagonal-barreled Browning - which I never did buy. Wonderful gun, quick handling tack driver. It shot better than I did. I have to confess an unnatural fondness for single-shots.

OC

Yeti · 04-29-2008, 08:11 PM

Ask the people who are bashing them if they ever owned one that didn't shoot. Did they figure out why or throw the baby out with the bath water?

I have heard all the gripes about #1's and still want a couple more. My 45-70 is very accurate. You will be hard pressed to find a handier rifle in thick brush. Mine fits in a 10/22 case!

bignate · 04-29-2008, 08:26 PM

My roommate has one in 7mm. Very accurate gun. We went shooting tonight and he shot 1" groups at 100 yards 2" high. At 200 yards it shot a 1 3/4" group dead on. 300 yards we were hitting the 5" circle with each group. I almost kept up with my weatherby 243 until we went to 300 yards. Very nice guns and with a simple Leopold scope they shoot well. I must say that we are not the worlds best shots and the gun by far out shoots us.

Nate

bait dunker · 04-29-2008, 08:54 PM

I have several no.1's and no.3's and i love them! very accurate. great gun for the money. they will teach you how to shoot and make that first shot count. if you dont know how to shoot or think you need a semi auto rifle for quick follow ups, then this is not the rifle for you! just something to keep in mind.

bo4elk · 04-29-2008, 09:11 PM

As said, they are great rifles, I have one. The only downside is that they are heavy. That's not something that is usually a big deal, but if your hunting steep country or going on all day - long hikes, you will note the weight.

fishingls · 04-30-2008, 04:01 AM

I have owened No. 1's in the following calibers, .223., 220 swift, 6mm Rem., 25-06, 270, 7x57, 30-06, 375 H&H and 458 Win.

My most favorite No. 1s were the 1-As. They were very fast and as light as most bolt actions. With a 22" barrel they were much shorter than any bolt action. My most favorite 1-A was the 7x57. Because of the strength of the number one, with the some of the specialized loading data for the number one, I could get exceptional performance with the 7x57.

If you have a shooter's glove for your weak hand with two or three cartridge loops sewn on the backside, with practice-you can get a rate of fire equal to a bolt action.

The extractor system on the Ruger No. 1 is superior to bolt action rifles.

I found accuracy with my No. 1s, if a problem, could be addressed by reworking the hanger/forearm assembly.

The other accuracy problem with the No. 1 which relates to shooting enough ammo to heat the barrel up--is the scope mounting. This relates to the scope mounting onto the barrel. As the barrel heats up, the barrel expansion is different from the scope. The expansion difference will torque the scope and barrel at different rates. This will cause the point of bullet impact to shift slightly.

StickFish · 04-30-2008, 12:19 PM

I had one in 223 - the rifle was very boring to shoot it was that accurate. Got bored with the 10x, so I would pick on the staples. That got boring so out came a little dab of peanut butter and jelly - what a hoot shooting yellow jackets the rest of the day. Trick was to leave the wings on each side of the bullet hole and the rest of the critter smeared into the paper.

The info I had at the time was that some of them shoot and some don't and much of it had to do with the forestock. Some gunsmiths would bed the forestock to the barrel with no release agent

Dan360 · 04-30-2008, 12:20 PM

Wow, I never thought of the barrel heating/scope mounting issues. I'm thinking if I keep the shooting at a slower rate (Ha, shouldn't too hard with a single shot!) and allow the barrel to cool between groups, it should be okay.

Have any of you replaced your quarter rib? I have seen a longer rib made by Talley to accept Talley rings that spaces the rings farther apart. Maybe a decent idea?

Bait Bucket · 04-30-2008, 01:08 PM

Google Ruger No 1 Accuracy and see what you get.

I bought one years ago in .220 Swift heavy barrel to shoot eastern groundhogs with. I sold it after two months.

They're a good looking gun built solid as a rock but mine wouldn't group any handloads neither me nor my reloading friends could develop.

Somewhere on the internet there is a gunsmith making his living making Ruger No ! rifles more accurate.

Good luck.

Dan360 · 04-30-2008, 02:47 PM

So much stuff to think about! I guess anything beautiful has the chance at being high maintenance (he he he he).

Flatfish · 04-30-2008, 04:32 PM

I have played with a half dozen in depth.

The fore end hanger mainspring deal is a poor design. Harmonics, bedding, headaches, you name it.

But!!!!! If you bed the thing, and make super sure the wood fore end is not touching the action, she might shoot. I had a 25-06 that would shoot only one load into about 4/10s. Everything looked like a modified choke in a 410. Then I had it bedded and sanded just a tough off the fore end, and she shot 3/4 or less with ANYTHING I fed it.

This is not the only time I have seen the evil stringing monster cured with acraglas.

Charlie Storey · 05-20-2008, 10:14 PM

I have a really pretty #1 in .38-55 that I really like. Its got factory open sights and my eyes aren't so good so I don't know how it groups, but it kills deer. My brother had one in .257 Roberts and the only load that shot straight (and he put it through the ringer trying to find and accurate load) was with the Hornaday 75 gr. hollow pt. All other loads shot about 5 inch groups at 100 yards. My gunsmith said in the beginning they weren't choosy about the barrels they put on them and there were some real lemons. I love to carry mine...its light, doesn't kick (with really not loads).

Blowing Smoke · 05-21-2008, 08:18 AM

For single shot rifle, for durability, ease of working on cleaning and many upgrades, the Thompson Center single shot break open series is tough to beat, stainless or blued, better factory trigger, exposed hammer/safety, endless stock options wood, laminated, synthetic, factory barrels in many different lengths and a custom barrrel line that has every feasible option, also scope mounting has more options . Quite simply put if for some reason the gun doesn't shoot well, send it back to Thompson and they will make it right. ................... Okay yes The Ruger number #1 is a beauty, has bullet proof scope mounts, but its overall design does not lend it self for consistent gun to gun accuracy, I have a .338 winchester that shoots under 1" 3 shoot group at 100 yards with any ammo you drop down the tube, I have had 22-250, 25-06 and a 300 winchester with factory and hand loads that would barely shoot 2.5 inch groups at 100 yards, all the guns had custom tuning my different gunsmiths every accuracy trick for reloading was used to try to shrink groups I was heart broken and all seen the same results, I'm a small sampling of all the sportsman out there but I have had a 25% success-or satisfaction with the Ruger number #1 If I could turn back time, money and energy I buy a Thompson Center for a single shoot best regards...........BS

Dan360 · 05-21-2008, 06:45 PM

Well, I'll have to ponder for a while. I've seen some aftermarket parts that are supposed to help iron out problems. I guess I'll have to weight the cost with the benefits. Its such a pretty rifle though!

scottishsetter · 05-21-2008, 07:31 PM

If you've got the 223 ammo you want to shoot I'll let you shoot mine here at my house. I haven't ironed out the potential accuracy but 'We' could do it together and that might give you some answers on the #1 you want.
PM me if interested

oregon45 · 05-21-2008, 08:39 PM

Both Ross Seyfried and John Barsness have written articles in Rifle magazine detailing how to tune Ruger No. 1's for accuracy, both are well worth reading before and after purchasing a No. 1.

Blowing Smoke · 05-22-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan360

Well, I'll have to ponder for a while. I've seen some aftermarket parts that are supposed to help iron out problems. I guess I'll have to weight the cost with the benefits. Its such a pretty rifle though!

I can understand that view, maybe another way to think of the Thompson Center is, Like a Chevrolet 350 engine has been made roughly from 1956-2008 still in production, has gone thru changes and revisions to take better for the consumer and has also offerd millions and millions of aftermarket parts to make them better for each individual user, now with that being said I'm a Ford guy thru and thru. and respect the chevrolet line of motors for there great versatility and cost to upgrade or modify for all there different uses that are also very cost friendly. wish ya best of luck on your journey either way ........BS

Dan360 · 05-23-2008, 02:12 PM

I like the TC Encore quite well. I'm thinking I will have one in 22-250 shortly. Its not so much about having a single shot as it is about having a Ruger No 1. I like the strength of the Ruger No 1 action and the falling block. The Encore line is a break-action, which isn't a bad thing in itself. I just think there is something about a classy, falling block rifle. However, classy looks are not a factor of accuracy. So I'll be pondering.

Just Fish · 05-24-2008, 02:26 PM

I have one in a 25-06 that is a tack driver with a 100gr or 120 gr bullets nosler solid base bullets.

Thumper · 05-24-2008, 02:58 PM

If you paid a little more, would they design one that goes bang more than once?

oregon45 · 05-24-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumper

If you paid a little more, would they design one that goes bang more than once?

Shoot a little more and one is all you'll need

No. 1's can be reloaded very quickly if you practice it; hold cartridges between the knuckles of your shooting hand or in a wristband. This is where big cartridges like the 45-70 are nice, with round nose bullets you can nearly throw the slugs in.

Dan360 · 05-24-2008, 08:21 PM

My buddy has a No 1B in 300 Win Mag with one of those nylon cartridge holders on the stock. He can drop the block, load a cartridge, and close the block nearly as most people can throw a bolt.

wapiteaser · 05-25-2008, 09:55 AM

My friend has a #1 in 300 Weatherby mag. He loves it. He barrel lapped it and it made a big difference in the accuracy. Ruger is notorious for tight barrels so he lapped his. He has shot a bunch of elk in the Wenaha Unit with it in the past and several long shots on deer. I am amazed at how fast he can reload it. He keeps one shell in his hand when he shoots and has it ready. Usually never needs a second shot. He also loads light loads for varmints just to be using the same gun all year.