Ruger #1

[tree rat]

I just bought a Ruger #1 stainless 45-70, but I am worried, I removed the forearm to ajust the ejector tension and found something that greatly concernes me. the hanger bar just infront of the receiver has been welded together, did I get some reject they cobbled together just to get out the door or is it supposed to be this way? this just doesn't look right!

[Fred M]

The hanger bar is welded together about a 1/2 in front of the action. That is normal. Can't find the schematic right now.

[tree rat]

thank you, I feel much better now. I just assumed that the entire hanger bar and receiver would be cast together. any one care to guess why they do not? seems to me it would be a better way of doing it. on to another question, I am considering a #1 RSI, which caliber would be a better cast bullet gun, 7x57 or 30-06? does ruger use a short or long throut in these calibers?

[Fred M]

The action is  investment casted, the long hanger bar would make the mould rather big and subjet to temperature variation. In the articulated CCN mashine if this bar was stiking out it would make machining more complex. Me thinks?

The welded hanger is no problem since it bears no structural loads, only a piece of wood.

The RSI has only a 20" barrel in my way of thinking the 7x57 would be the better choice with less muzzle blast and recoil. I don't know about long throats, the old Mauser 7x57 had long throats.

If you going to use cast bullets only, then the 30-06 would be better because there are more moulds available for the 30 caliber.

[tree rat]

thanks again, Fred M, do you happen to know the rate of twist Ruger uses in the RSI 30-06? It would help me with mold selection. I am thinking 170 or 180 gass checked at around 1600 fps. whats your opinion?

[Fred M]

Most 06 barrels are 1-10" twist, but I had a 1-12" twist in a new Huskvarna 06.

I have a 30BR with a 1-15" twist some use 1-18" twist for 118gr bullets. Moulds for cast bullets hunting loads upto 180 gr a 1-10" will work fine and so will a 1-12".

Myself I never use cast bullets, they are too much work and mess for me.

[tree rat]

Thought I would share, the #1 45-70 stainless took a button buck at 185 yrds off hand shot  today!!! only problem I had to shoot him twice, first shot was low, about an inch up from the bottom of his chest. second shot went right behind front leg and excited offside shoulder. my handloads 405gr cast and 12gr unique, no cronograph but should be aprox. 1100 fps. not the response I was expecting, I am not sure he even knew I hit him the first time, I was expecting a bang flop! Dam those little button bucks sure look tiny at that range with open sights, about 100 lbs.

[marlinman93]

 Unique makes very nice reduced charge loads! I use Unique in my .45-70, and also in my .38-55 and .32-40 singleshot rifles. Congratulations on your buck! I too used my singleshot with open sights to take a buck this fall.

[EdK]

The #1 RSI in 30-06 is a 1-10 twist

Consider this regarding the short barrel and/or possible blast... The bore:cartridge case volume ratios are almost identical between these two. Yes the 30-06 needs to burn more powder but a 20" long, .308" diameter cylinder presents considerably more opportunity to do so than a .284" diameter bore.

Actually the 7x57 and 30-06 being about tied as far as efficiency goes are the best of the bunch insofar as what Ruger is chambering in the RSI. Ideally I'd prefer my #1 RSI be based on a .308 case - regardless of whether it be 30 cal or 7mm.

My RSI is not throated long. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered this fact. It is set up so that a 165gr spitzer is exactly flush with the base of the neck -  a little higher with a 150 and poke a little into the powder space with a 180. If your plan was to launch 200-220gr cast then your checks will be quite exposed to the powder space. My interest being in the direction of a handy deer rifle I load only 150s and an occasional 165 for the gun (jacketed). I load with faster powders to enhance efficiency at the sake of top velocity but still have way more power than I need for a 50-100-200 yard shot at a deer.

So the 7x57 is classic but the 30-06 can be just as good in the RSI - take your pick

Hope this helps, Ed

[tree rat]

so if you were going to shoot cast bullets using unique in the 30-06 RSI which bullet mold from lee precision would you recomend I start with? can a gas check bullet be used with out the check if veleocity is kept low enough. I am thinking it would be like a boat tail. my intention is a real mild recoil fun gun for out to 100yds. I would rather have a 30-30 for this but it is not chambered in a RSI.

[EdK]

Yes a cast bullet can be used without its' check. Other than that, I'm not too experienced on cast so I can't make a specific mould recommendation for you.

[lrs]

Has anyone seen a #1 in a 9.3x74?

[TLARbb]

I understand the 9.3 x 74 is new for 2007.  It may take a little while before they show up in the pipeline. 

It should be a dandy cartridge for this fine rifle.

EJ

[Ron T.]

I have a RSI (Ruger #1 International with a full Mannlicher-style stock) in 7x57 for which I've begun (late this Autumn) developing the most accurate load possible.

Since I don't intend to "hunt" with the RSI, all my load development will be centered on "accuracy" shooting from the bench-rest without any attention to muzzle velocity.  However, I did find what I think would be an excellent hunting load if anyone could use it.

I didn't chronograph this particular load, but with other similar loads on a different day, I was getting a chronographed 2740 fps to 2770 fps with 49.6 to 49.8 grains of H4350 out of the RSI's 20 inch barrel. 

I got excellent accuracy (3-shot group with bullet holes interlocking in a triangle shape = .407 inches) using a 140 grain Sierra ProHunter, flat-based bullet in front of 50.0 grains of H4350 using standard Winchester large rifle primers in once-fired Remington cases.

Bullets were seated out to within 20/1000ths of the lans & grooves.

ONE CAUTION!!!  THIS LOAD WAS DESIGNED FOR MODERN FIREARMS ONLY SINCE IT DEVELOPS 50,000 C.U.P.   DO NOT USE THIS LOAD IN OLDER 7x57 RIFLES LIKE THE 1893 AND 1895 MAUSER RIFLES.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.