Is the Ruger #1 perfect ?

[Yes, 357_SIG]

                                                                 

Is the Ruger #1 perfect


This entire Alice in Blunderland adventure is a result of their bidding up of the price of the Ruger #1 that I was chasing like a hound striking a fresh trail.
                                                                                                                                                           

In my heart that Ruger #1 is what I really wanted ... and still want.
I should have squeezed the piggy bank harder ... the winning bid was certainly in the range of market prices.

                                                                                                                      

Why are prices so blooming high for Ruger #1s ?

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                       


The Remington SPR18 really does have a lot of potential ... at about 1/3 the price.
In fairness, the cost of the trigger work and scope mount challenges still brings it in at 1/2 the price.

                                                                                                           


Is the Ruger #1 perfect, or does it have hidden warts ?
 
                                                                                                                                                         

[SHOOTALL]

if the fore arm is not torqued perfect it shoots bad , I had one in 22-250 .

[mattmillerrx]

It is the rifle I go after when looking for a new to me gun.  It has its faults but no harder to get to shooting good groups then most bolt guns to me.  Keep in mind the purpose--hunting rifles not bench rest guns.

[PowPow]

It is for me.  I am selling off all others and will end up two #1's; a 1-RSI in 30-06 for edibles, and a 1-V in 22-250 for crows, coyotes, and a lot of paper.

[kynardsj]

Good ones, bad ones. I wanted a stainless 45-70 forever and finally bought one about 8 years ago. No matter what I loaded in it my best 100 yard groups were about 6-8 inches. Had to turn it loose. I still think they're one of the most beautiful rifles out there but high prices and iffy accuracy means I won't be buying another.

[mattmillerrx]

Good ones, bad ones. I wanted a stainless 45-70 forever and finally bought one about 8 years ago. No matter what I loaded in it my best 100 yard groups were about 6-8 inches. Had to turn it loose. I still think they're one of the most beautiful rifles out there but high prices and iffy accuracy means I won't be buying another.

I hate to hear that.  That happens to be one of the models of #1 I have and currently my favorite.  I got it about a year ago, used.  The load I settled on for it had a 0.6 in 100 yard 4 shot group.  I called pull on one of the shots but with that one included it was still a 1.5 in 5 shot group.  I double checked my records and all loads tested were under 2 in with a few right at or just under an inch.

My .270 shoots 1.5 in groups with factory ammo.  I have had the .270 since I was a kid and have killed a lot of game with it.  I, at some point, bought a bunch of factory ammo for it and that was before I reloaded.  This one will be my next reloading project as I am down to my last 20 or 25 rounds of the factory ammo.

[Hairtrigger]

Good ones, bad ones. I wanted a stainless 45-70 forever and finally bought one about 8 years ago. No matter what I loaded in it my best 100 yard groups were about 6-8 inches. .

I would have sent it back to Ruger My experience with Ruger service is it comes back better then new

[kynardsj]

Sending it back to Ruger never crossed my mind. I was very dissapointed at the time. I have since had dealings with Ruger service and you're right, they're top notch.

[drdougrx]

I give the sporters a 9 on a scale of 10.  Triggers are OK and I've gotten used to them.  Fit and finish is 10, at least all of the ones I've owned or own that are blued.  Not at all crazy about the #1b as I feel they're too heavy for me.  Wood is usually pretty nice for factory.  All in all, and I've had my problems with them, I'm buy'n as much as I can!!

[jlwilliams]

  Nice guns, yes.  Perfect?  I don't know about that.

  I would say you seem to really have a bug that won't be cured untill you get the Ruger #1 you want and need.  You will own one, that I'm sure.  Then and only then, all will be well with the world.

[Fred M]

I have quite afew #1's all bought used,some in real bad shape and needed stock and fore arm work. They all shoot three shot groups at a hundred under one inch.

I have one new one not yet wrung out but it shoot very well.
I am very fuzzy about trigger pulls, non suited me. So I lightened
them all to 30oz. That new 9.3x74R was real bad it had a 5 lbs
pull. That is not acceptable.

Is the #1 perfect, I think not. They all have a few bugs but they are easy  to fix. People frig around with the fore arm and do more harm than they do good. The factory post tensioning is pretty good, but wood drys out and that needs attention.

Free floating and gouging wood out is not the way to go IMHO.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

There just doesn't seem to be much else comparable to the Ruger #1 [quality, modern, falling block, etc., etc.].
                                                                                      
"won't be cured untill you get the Ruger #1 you want and need"
                                                                                         

If i can get only one, I would lean toward 243Win or 270Win. 

Seems to me that you really need two:
one for varmints and lotsa shooting [ 223 or 204Ruger  {?} ];   
and one for deer+ [ 270Win {?} ].     


Maybe, just keep the [ 308Win ] Remington SPR18 [Baikal] and ...   

 get a Ruger #1 for varmints and lotsa shooting [ 223 or 204Ruger  {?} ];
 ( ... Maybe a 1V {?} ... )                                                                                   

Which way would you go?

Thanks,
           Chuck

[jlwilliams]

If just for varmints I'd say 204, if for lots of shooting I'd say 223.  If you load there isn't much difference but as far as off the shelf ammo goes it's hard to beat 223 for economy.

[PowPow]

Maybe, just keep the [ 308Win ] Remington SPR18 [Baikal] and ...   

 get a Ruger #1 for varmints and lotsa shooting [ 223 or 204Ruger  {?} ];
 ( ... Maybe a 1V {?} ... )

That's how I looked at it; Got the 1-V in 22-250, and was going to stay with the Handi for deer hunting. Then I got RSI-curious...

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Just wondered if I should go ahead and sell the new in box [ 308Win ] Remington SPR18 [Baikal]
                                  

before I shoot it and / or put any more money [scope base & mounts, trigger work, etc.] into it?               


If I can figure out now that I will eventually give up on it this would be the time to jump ship.

                                                                           

[Yes, 357_SIG]

From what I can gather, no one really seems to like the [ 308Win ] Remington SPR18 [Baikal] ... much

                          until they put a lot of work and $$$$ into them.           

On the other hand, the folks who do get them fixed up, seem to be pretty happy with them.
                                                                                        

[S.E.Ak]

The #3 is perfect. Half the price #1 new and the same price used or close to it.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Does anyone still have any new #3s ?             

How long have they been discontinued?           

Thanks,
           Chuck

[eskimo36]

They can be near perfect.   I just bought this 300 H&H and it is in transit to me.  It is a beautiful, classic rifle but isn't perfect. I see many very nice #3's on Gunbroker at reasonable prices.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

At one time, I thought that 300 H&H was kinda wierd.       
Seemed to me that 30-06 was all that I ever needed.

Now, I am getting interested in it [300 H&H].     

Is it really [potentially] more versatile?
Does the straighter case offer more reloading flexibility?
Is the recoil less "sharp" and more of a "push" ?

I keep hearing people rave about it [300 H&H] ?         
What makes it [300 H&H] so special ?

[eskimo36]

The 300 H&H is a very versatile cartridge with much history.  Due to its shape it chambers like a hornet with nothing to hang up on. Based on my past experiences with the 300 H&H,  it shoots all weights well from 150 to 220 grain.  I feel the case shape lends it to being less finicky with a variety of powders and bullets.  Recoil is still what you would expect from a 300 mag but is not excessive.  I like cartridges with a past....not something 10 or 15 years old making outlandish claims.

[jack j]

I currently own 6-#1s and to me they are all perfect.
I reload for each and 3 of them shoot 1 inch MOA and 2 others shoot clover leafs at 100 yds.
The sixth one I have not shot as yet due to it has just been custom rebarrelled to a 340 Wby mag.
They are very pricey,but worth every penny.I get loads of compliments by all who see them.

[Swampman]

With a whole lot of work they can be accurate.

[Silvertp]

Are #1's perfect? (talking hunting here)

Close...

They look great...In my mind they are very easy on the eye.  Better lines and more class than most centerfire rifles.  And they look better in the field!

#1's are about my favorite in terms of  how they carry/ handle...not having a bolt shortens them up with any of the given barrel lengths and to me the balance is near perfect. As a result they are a joy to carry. In the woods give me a 22" 45/70 or 7x57.  To me they are quick to handle, effortless to point and as a result provide confidence in making the shot.

Likewise the 26" barrel in long range calibers have plenty of length for burning powder and making velocity .  A long range weapon that is still easy to carry because of shorter overall length.

Calibers.  You name it.  You can get a #1 chambered to hunt about any game animal, predator, varmit or pest.  Plus they are often available in old or obsolete calibers that are hard to find.

Unless you get an "odd one" that doesn't want to shoot, most range from  "hunting accurate" to tack drivers.  To the extent you care/ need to you can tinker with #1's to improve performance.

I don't believe a "single shot" is any handicap in the hunting fields. 

Are they perfect???  Close but not quite.  Take care of the forearm bedding problem and put in a good adjustable trigger and they get mighty  close.

Silvertp

[ktw]

Are they perfect???  Close but not quite.  Take care of the forearm bedding problem and put in a good adjustable trigger and they get mighty  close.

I have a #1 and like it but I would rather have a couple 1885s if they were as readily available.  In addition to Silvertip's comments, I prefer an exposed hammer and the difficulty of mounting a good tang or receiver peep is a significant #1 shortcoming.

-ktw 

[coop2564]

As a hunting rifle close but not quite, trigger needs to be adjustable to be perfect and just a tad heavy. IMO. But I love it!

[ken613]

Any of the #1's with the Henry forend is my favorite factory rifle.  I don't care much at all for the "B" model

Currently I own 2 7x57's (#1A and #1RSI), 35 Whelen, 375 H&H, and a #1S in 300 Win. Mag.  I've got a 257 Roberts #1A on order from Lipsey's.

I've owned 2 other #1's (the only two used ones I've ever bought).  One of those, a 22-250 "B", would not shoot.  Had a 270 Win #1AB that I wish I still had.

They are a fantastic rifle, but not for everyone.  The current ones shoot much better than the older ones.  Before Ruger started making their own barrels, accuracy was very hit and miss.

Ken

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Thanks, everyone.

Lots of good info and great advice.                 

Still agonizing over caliber: 270Win, ... maybe 25-06, ... maybe 243Win ? ? ?           

Haven't checked Lipsey's ,,, need to do that.         


Thanks,
            Chuck

[Swampman]

Of the 3 I'd get the .270.  I'm a huge fan of the .30-06 myself.

[coop2564]

Consider the 30-06,  110 gr tsx at 3400 to 220 gr varimits to moose!