Should I buy a No1 in 7x57?

[kombi1976]

I'm tossing up getting one of these as I've lusted after one for years.
The only reviews I've ever read were good and the people I know who've owned them have only ever said good things.
But having read a couple of things on here about copper fouling and mechanical problems is giving me concerns.
I also like the look of the RSI but there has been talk that fore end causes inaccuracy.
Plus I have mixed feelings about the RSI's 20" bbl with a moderately powered cartridges.
And finally there was even the mention on a similar thread of 175gr pills key-holing.
I want to use this rifle for the lot.....small game & moderate range varminting (within reason), medium game, and big game up to and including elk sized animals so I need it to stabilise heavy bullets.
You guys seem like an enthusiastic but honest bunch of Ruger lovers.
Please set me straight on this.
I'll be getting it midway through the year and it will be the last big spend on guns until my kids get a bit older so I don't want to make a mistake.

Andy

[Cat Whisperer]

I have a #3 in 7-08.  Not much different.  (OK, it's a custom bbl. that's 1" across flats.)  FIRST time out: two fouling shots, next 5 at 100 yds into under 3/4" group.

Know your rates of twist for stabilizing bullets.  (I have a .35 Whelen with a 1:16 that won't stabilize a 280gr cast bullet - 1:12 or 1:14 would.  ouch)

Accuracy will be what you can tune your loads and tweek the rifle to.  JUST like any other rifle.  I LIKE the 20-21" range for barrels - for accuracy.

[kombi1976]

I appreciate you comments, CW, but actually your rifle is entirely different.
I have looked at the specs for the current No1-A in 7x57 and the rifling twist is quite adequate for heavy bullets.
But then the rifling in Browning BLRs chambered to 308 Win is 1:12" and should happily stablilise 180gr pills......plenty of them have trouble though and are only happy with RNs.
More to the point the 1-A is a light sporter with a light bbl.
If Ruger made a 7x57 as a 1-B with a standard bbl I'd probably buy that instead but they don't.
But even a standard sporter barrel is way lighter than the one on your 7mm-08.
So thanks for the reassurance but I really need comments from guys who actually own either a 7x57 No1A or No1 RSI.
No offence meant.

[Ron T.]

I have a 1993 Ruger #1 International (aka "RSI") in 7x57mm and love it.  The whole rifle is only 36-inches long including that 20-inch barrel.

My RSI loves H4350 rifle powder as do a good many #1's in 7x57... and since the ammo manufacturers vastly under-load the 7mm Mauser cartridge, you should be a handloader to take full advantage of the fine 7x57mm cartridge. 

The maximum load for a "modern rifle" (according to a well-known reloading manual) is now 50.0 grains of H4350 using a 140-145 grain bullet with a pressure rating of 50,000 CUP... up from the prior "maximum load" of 46,000 CUP.

The 46,000 CUP limit is/was due to a lot of the old, weaker 1893 and 1895 Mausers, which are also chambered for the 7x57, that are still being used in a great many 3rd world countries.  With an extremely strong action like the falling block action used in the Ruger #1's, 50,000 CUP isn't a problem.  That's the same pressure to which a .30/06 is normally loaded.

My RSI has fired 3-shot groups measuring .176 inches at 50 yards using a "target load" of 47.2 grains of H4350 behind a 140 grain Sierra, flat-based ProHunter bullet sparked by a standard Winchester large rifle primer in once-fired Remington cartridge cases.  A slightly heavier load (47.6 grains of H4350) fired a .179-inch, 3-shot group with the 4-12x by 40mm A/O scope set on 12x and the parallax adjusted out using the adjustable objective turret.

At maximum load (50.0 grains of H4350 behind a 140 grain bullet), recoil and muzzle blast are up considerably, but accuracy is still good... .404 inches (3-shot group @ 50 yards).  Muzzle velocity is close to 2800 fps out the the RSI's short, light and handy 20-inch barrel.

The downside of that light barrel in a Mannlicher-style stock is that the barrel heats up quickly & easily and takes a bit of time to cool down again.... and at least with my RSI, I must allow the barrel to cool down to just "warm" if I want it to "group" well.  If fired repeatedly without being allowed to cool down to just "warm", the rifle's "groups" open up considerably.

I've been advised by a good many other shooters and friends to try to "relieve" the wood around the barrel and "do this or that" to it to improve it's "hot-barrel accuracy".  But I've opted to leave it alone and be patient when shooting the RSI when I shoot it off-the-benchrest since any shot at game will be out of a COLD barrel and will thus be very accurate just as the rifle is at this time... and with a single shot rifle, how many accurately-aimed rounds can a man get off at one game animal?

Of course, if a man places the first shot in the game's "vital zone", he won't need more than one shot, will he?!?  N'est pas?   

Of all my big game rifles, my Ruger #1 RSI in 7x57 is my "favorite" and will handle any game in the "new world" short of the "big bears" ... and I bet a good many #1 RSI owners feel the same way about their rifles as well.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

[Rangr44]

[ I also like the look of the RSI but there has been talk that fore end causes inaccuracy.]

This is two 100yd sighting-in groups from my RSI, with a windage scope adjustment made in between shooting the groups with factory ammo.



The 7x57 is much better if you are a handloader, as most factory ammo is loaded to low pressures in deference to all those 120-odd year-old 1893 Mauser rifles still out there.
If you're not, Federal makes some high performance loads, labeled as Light Magnums.

.

[benchracer]

I finally managed to get my hands on a Ruger #1A in 7x57 last November.  I was lucky enough to get one with a beautifully figured stock.  The trigger on mine is very good, quite possibly the best factory trigger that I have on any of my rifles. 

Though I have not had an opportunity to shoot it a lot, I am favorably impressed by it.  I have shot both S&B loads (140 gr spitzer and 173 gr SPCE) through it and it shoots both loads very well.  So far, I have not had the opportunity to shoot at 100 or more yards-- only at around 50 yards.  At that distance, I am getting neat little triangle groups with all 3 shots touching. 

Even with a Kahles 3-9x42 scope mounted on it, the rifle is nicely balanced.  It points and swings so naturally.  It handles like a well balanced shotgun.  When I am finally able to take it afield, I suspect that it will very likely be such a pleasure to carry and use that it just may become my "go to" rifle.

So far, I have only noted one drawback to the rifle-- the scope mounting provisions on this rifle tend to place the scope quite far forward, forcing me to creep forward on the stock to obtain proper eye relief.  A slightly shorter LOP or extended scope rings could easily cure this, but I am not bothered enough by it to feel the need to change anything yet.

One final observation that may be worth noting is that the #1A in 7x57 is not easy to obtain.  I am told that Ruger makes them only in very limited production runs of around 50 per year.  So, when you are ready to commit your cash to buy one, be prepared to wait for a few months to get your hands on one.  In my opinion, though, it is absolutely worth the wait.

[kombi1976]

Well, folks, it appears I'm going to be getting a #1A then.
I've spoken to other people as well and while there is the odd "Mine looked good but couldn't hit the side of a barn from the inside" they weren't recent manufacture ones.

[Skunk]

Well, folks, it appears I'm going to be getting a #1A then.

Great choice Kombi. I wish they made that chambering in 7mm for the Standard model.

[kombi1976]

Me too but the 1A is a pretty little rifle.
Plus those open sights are worth a go IMO.

[Guy Pike]

New England Custom Gunsmiths make an aperture rear that goes on the rear scope mount and various fronts as need. I liked the set I had.

[BrianU]

The #1A in 7X57 is a great rifle in an outstanding caliber, something I would like to own.  One thing to add that someone else hit on and is a fairly common issue with this rifle, scope placement.  Ruger does make off-set rings, which allow you to mount the scope a little further back.  I could never get the Leupold 3X9 back far enough on my #1, but the off-set mounts fixed that problem.  I have been told that Ruger will exchange new standard rings for the off-set rings.

Brian

[fatercat]

i've got one on gunbroker. its a RSI #1 7X57. nise wood. i bought it new from dealer that had thrown box away. it shoots the federal 140 gn. 1 1/4" at 100 yds. i got one box through it and have the second box of ammo that will go with it. take a look at it. might be just what you want. also i have two rugers posted for sale here on the old man gb. sight at rock buttom prices. good luck with your hunt. 

[flintman]

 I voted yes,either model!
 My opinion about 2 cents
 Ruger #1 in 7x57 caliber Value under $1000
 Reloading die under $100
 Relaxing in the big woods while enjoying a fine rifle,priceless!
 

[TRWalker]

My local dealer has a No. 1A in 7x57 on consignment.  It's a beautiful gun with nice wood.  It's the later version with the black buttpad.  Price is $799 in 98% condition.  I am giving it serious consideration.