Anyone lighten a Ruger number One B

[Argonaut]

I have #1B in .257 Roberts. Now I really Like Number 1b's  but this thing  is heavy.   I got a great price on it, as alot of foolish folks don't like the calliber.  I have a burris 2x7 scope on it.    I am going to find a lighter scope, likely a fixed power.  I could reduce the barrel lenght.  I hate to do that, but i could go from 26 to 24.  I hate to loose the speed.  I can remove some metal from the scope rings.  That forend has to weigh 3 lbs!  anyone make synthitic replacement stocks?  I would hunt with this rifle more if it weight less!

[BlkHawk73]

  Toughen up man!    I don't see any of those methods are really taking much weight away.  Even cutting the bbl back a couple inches isn't gonna remove a lot.  Removing material on the rings will be un-noticeable I'd think.  Adj to fixed, again, how much weight savings there?  The #1B is listed at around 8 1/4 lbs add a scope ok, maybe 9 now but stil taht's not really heavy.  I've lugged the #1V around scoped up and that's over 10 easy.  Wasn't that bad for big ole me at 127 lbs.  As it is, yours is a fantatcic rifle and a fantastic chambering.  I'd love a #1a in .257 Roberts. (I prefer sights) My other #1's all weigh in at or above 8lbs, heck the #1H weighs almost 9.
  I'd leave it as is and not just because cutting & hacking removes all collector value (yes this particualr chambering does likely have some).  For the cost involved in cutting the bbl back and having a good crown done and the time effort for the other work, I just don't see it as cost/time effective. 

[Hairtrigger]

If you buy a synthetic stock and fore end I would be interested in the wood that you take off

[Argonaut]

Hey, my Remington 700 heavy barrel .222 with an old weaver k12 ain't no light weight! I carry that around.  I would prefer good iron sight myself, but here near Olympia Washington the hunting is in Rain forests.  Which are dark, cold, and OMG WET!  (I miss Arkansas most during deer season)  you really need the light a scope can pull in.

[StrawHat]

I have never reworked a Ruger #1 of any sort.  I have put bolt action rifles on diets so maybe some of what I did will help you.

It is only ounces here and there but it eventually adds up.

The biggest weight savings will be in the wood.  Figured wood weighs more than plain wood.  You can also hollow out the buttstock and save a bit there.  Same with the fore end. 

Scope and rings you have covered.  (I would suggest 4x or 6x)  Aluminum rings would be another option.  I also like your idea of just using open sights.  That New England company has a rear sight that fits in the rear scope cut.

The barrel can be shortened but a b it more weight can be removed if you turn the barrel to a smaller profile.  Especially with a 257 Roberts, there is quite a bit of extra iron in the barrel.

The more work you do yourself the cheaper it will be but none of it is outrageous.

Good luck.

[Fred M]

Argonaut.
Remove the 1/4 ririb and the Ruger rings and install Weaver bases.
Together with a light weight scope will reduce the weight by 1.5 pounds.
Hollow out the butt and forearm for another 5oz. A rear Weaver 57 base will also improve eye relieve by one inch.

I have a 243 26" barrel that I will have rebored to 6.5 and mill the barrel octagon. Two scope blocks instead of the 1/4rib. Hollow out the wood.This
will make a light 6.5-284 about 7.5 lbs with a 4-10 scope..

I have several #1 rifles with modified bases and light weight rings.

[Tom W.]

I'd shudder at doing anything but changing triggers on and recoil pads on my #1's, altho I did rechamber one to 30/06 A.I. once....

[torpedoman]

solider up strap it on your back with 100 rounds of ammo take a 10 mile hike 3 times a week.

[GatCat]

I like Fred's ideas. Also, I think MPI in Oregon makes synthetic stocks for the #1.
Mark

[jager]

I've got a #1B in a .270 Weatherby that is about the same weight as yours. I too, wanted to "lighten-it-up" and went to a Leupold 2x7 VX1 as a lighter alternative to the heavier "glass". It weighs in at about 8.7 pounds. I like Fred's ideas and "tasteful" (and "good looking") mods, but mine is a "Rocky Mountain Elk" commemorative and I am concerned that it might loose even more of its value, unless the mods can be reversed (?).  It is a very accurate rifle (not all number 1's are IMHO) and I can live with the extra "heft", which helps my long range shooting skills in the field.

[drdougrx]

Just out of curiosity, can an Alexander Henry forend (like on the 45/70 sporter) be installed easily to replace the beaver tail forend?  If so, that may lighten the load.

[Fred M]

I have a rebuild #1 from 243 to 7x57. The 7x57 was a take off barrel. I replaced the standard fore arm with a Alex Henry fore arm no problem.
Although getting the Alex Henry fore arm I had to send the rifle to Ruger.
Could not find a used one. The below rifle turned out to be a super shooter
with 140gr Accubonds. 3/4" at 100. Shot one deer wit it last fall, neck shot, no tracking.

[Nrut]

Argonaut..If you plan on keeping your .257 #1 then I would make it the way you like it and forget about any collector value it may have unaltered...You only live once...Gatcat is right MPI does make a synthetic stock for the #1... http://www.mpistocks.com/stocks.htm
Another way to save a bit of weight iis to go with a light weight recoil pad...

[Lone Star]

....I am going to find a lighter scope, likely a fixed power.

This will help somewhat, 4-6 ounces perhaps.

I could reduce the barrel lenght.  I hate to do that, but i could go from 26 to 24.  I hate to loose the speed. 

You will never notice any velocity difference, the Roberts runs fine out of a 24" barrel, losing at most 30-35 fps.  If you are serious about weight savings, cut it off to 20" or 22".

anyone make synthitic replacement stocks?

Sure, I have a set of Bell&Carlsons on one of my No.1s and MPIs on another.  Major weight savings.  Forget about milling rings, it makes as much sense as drilling holes in your toothbrush.  KISS.


.

[Ireload2]

I have #1B in .257 Roberts. Now I really Like Number 1b's  but this thing  is heavy.   I got a great price on it, as alot of foolish folks don't like the calliber.  I have a burris 2x7 scope on it.    I am going to find a lighter scope, likely a fixed power.  I could reduce the barrel lenght.  I hate to do that, but i could go from 26 to 24.  I hate to loose the speed.  I can remove some metal from the scope rings.  That forend has to weigh 3 lbs!  anyone make synthitic replacement stocks?  I would hunt with this rifle more if it weight less!

Get a 1S in 7MM Magnum, put a heavy scope on it. Haul it around and do upper body strength exercises until you lose about 20 lbs. Then go back and pick up your #1B. Be careful that it does not hit your ceiling fan.
I shoot BPCR single shots mostly so #1s seem like featherweights.