Ruger #1 International

[v-man]

I have a Ruger #1 H in 375H&H and I really like the gun. I would like to find a #1 International in a .243 or 7x57 for my wife. It seems they are hard to find and I have heard some disparaging remarks about the accuracy of that full-length stock configuration. Any thoughts or experiences?

[BlkHawk73]

  Not being the high demand models of the #1 line, the RSI's are less common.  The 7x57 seems to be the most popular of them.  IMO, it's because of the combination of classic style/looks with the classic and formidable cartridge.   Full length stocks often have the "less accurate" label applied simply because the contact of the bbl to the gun at multiple points.  They're out there though.

[helotaxi]

"Less accurate" is also a relative term.  Still be more than accurate enough to hunt with and a beautiful rifle to boot.

[BlkHawk73]

"Less accurate" is also a relative term.  Still be more than accurate enough to hunt with and a beautiful rifle to boot.

  Quite right on both.  Too many have this idea that hunting rifles must be have match grade accuracy and be sub-MOA.  Minute-of-game is all that's needed.  Know the gun, place the shot correctly and you'll have no problem.

[Rangr44]

[I have heard some disparaging remarks about the accuracy of that full-length stock configuration. Any thoughts or experiences?]

Yep.  I own/hunt a bone-stock, but scoped, .30-06 #1-RSI that will shoot well under an inch @ 100yds with factory ammo, any time I do my part.

.

[pastorp]

I agree with the accuracy comments concerning MOA not being nesecary. I did most of my big game hunting for about 25 years with a BLR in 308 win that was a 1&1/2" shooter. It killed everything I shot at if I did my part.

I missed some shots but it was because I misjudged the range or just didn't take the time to make a good shot.

IMO a 30 caliber rifle that will shoot into 1&1/2" is the ideal hunting rifle for north america.

Regards,

[coyotejoe]

Townsend Whelen is remembered for his remark that "only accurate rifles are interesting" but if you actually read his books you'll find that he was quite happy with 3 moa rifles.
 Some years ago (maybe 30) The American Rifleman ran an article where someone did a statistical analysis of how rifle accuracy affects the probability of a successful shot on game. For deer hunting they concluded there was practically zero difference between 1 moa and 2 moa and actually very little difference between 1 moa and 3 moa.
If one is really serious about hunting and wanting to improve one's chances for success it will be far, far more beneficial to work on getting oneself into top physical condition than to worry about working up sub-moa rifle loads. But of course, shooting and reloading are lots more fun than jogging.
 And while freezing my butt on a stand I'd much rather be gazing at a sweet little mannlicher stocked blued steel and walnut rifle than some black plastic shooting machine.

[Big Bore]

I got a 7x57mm in a #1 RSI.

Its a sweet rifle to shoot.And easy to handle.
Shoot 1 inch grouping with mine and use 175gr Hornady handloads.

Get one,sure you will love it.

Dries

[horseman308]

If one is really serious about hunting and wanting to improve one's chances for success it will be far, far more beneficial to work on getting oneself into top physical condition than to worry about working up sub-moa rifle loads. But of course, shooting and reloading are lots more fun than jogging.

Hear hear! Also, we should spend tons more time practicing shots from realistic hunting ranges and positions than just poking holes in paper off of a bench. 1 MOA won't do you much good if you're not well-practiced enough to squeeze off accurate shots off-hand or quickly under pressure.

[Ron T.]

I have a RSI in 7x57mm.  The "secret" to shooting this fine little rifle accurately is to allow the barrel to cool down to no more than "warm".

My RSI seems to "love" H4350.  Two years ago while working up both "accuracy" loads and "hunting" loads, I found that my rifle liked 47.2 to 47.6 grains of H4350 in Remington cases sparked by a standard Winchester large rifle primer.  The bullet was a flat-based,140 grain Sierra ProHunter.

Using 47.2 grains of H4350, I got a 3 shot group of .176 inches at 50 yards and a .179 inch, 3-shot group using 47.6 grains of H4350.

MAXIMUM LOAD in a MODERN RIFLE is 50.0 grains yielding 50,000 CUP, according to a well-known reloading manual.  At 50.0 grains, I got a 3-shot group that measured .404 inches measuring the outer most edges of the bullet holes and subtracting the bullet diameter using a digital caliper for the measurement.

Both recoil and noise were pretty stiff compared to lighter loads, but I believe a woman could handle that recoil without too much trouble.  Bullet velocity was close to 2800 fps out of the RSI's 20-inch barrel.

Most hunters who shoot single shot rifles are pretty good shots with their rifles (they HAVE to be!!!)... and the first shot is always from a "cold" barrel... and a 2nd. immediate shot is most often not necessary.

Shooting my RSI one round after another which creates a "hot" barrel, it averages 1½ inches to 2 inches at 100 yards.  But shooting a single round at a time and allowing the barrel to cool down to "warm" before shooting another shot will usually give me less than a minute-of-angle, 3-shot group.

As others have said, a "minute-of-deer" is all the accuracy you need in a hunting rifle... and most RSIs can easily accomplish that small feat.

To top it all off, the Ruger#1 International (aka "RSI") with it's Mannlicher-style stock and smooth action is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful rifles anywhere... and they are accurate as well if you just let that short, thin barrel cool down a bit before shooting another round.

I've improved my RSI with a Kepplinger single set trigger... but I can't say that the accuracy has been improved by the new trigger.  But, to me... a Mannlicher-stocked rifle isn't "complete" unless it has either a double set trigger or a single set trigger.

Jus' my 2¢...   


Strength &  Honor...

Ron T.