Author Topic: Ruger #1...should I buy it?? (Read 3176 times)

Rogue Ram · « **on:** August 09, 2009, 07:50:54 PM »

Howdy, haven't been on the site for a looooong time.

I just found a #1, Stainless w/the laminated stock, .300 win mag....while I have lots of experience shooting service rifles in competition, I would not fool myself and stick to 400 yards max for an elk...my self imposed limit I suppose. That said, this rifle is mint, I'd use it for elk in open country. The #1 w that long barrel in .300 would have an edge over my 22" barrel 06.... The guy wants $600 for it. Its not altered nor accurized. He claims it is right around 1.5" moa with what ever factory fodder you feed it.

Couple questions: I know no one with a #1 in a magnum. With the scope I'd use, this would weigh probably about 9.5 pounds. Is this going to kick like a mule w/ a 180 grain upper end load? I've heard different things about #1s being uncomfortable to shoot...but they seem to fit me well.

Anyone have one accurized, and did it help appreciable??

Finally, in my mind, I personally think that while not the fastest to reload, I can have extras positioned in such a fashion I can dump a new one in pretty quick. Thoughts?? $600 sounds great from what I see on the various selling sights....

Thanks

RR

Bigeasy · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2009, 09:55:23 PM »

RR-

Never owned or even shot a Ruger #1, but I will say at about 9 1/2 lbs, if it fits you well, kick should not be to much more then your 06. The stock Ruger recoil pads are are pretty poor at actually reducing felt recoil - a Deaccelerator pad would make a big diference.

Larry

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2009, 12:05:07 AM »

That is a good price for the rifle

mannyrock · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2009, 05:24:55 AM »

Great price for the rifle.

Install a Kick-Eez or a Pachmayer Decelerator Pad on it, and at 9.5 pounds, the recoil should be absolutely no problem.

Regards,

Mannyrock

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2009, 10:01:39 AM »

Over the years I have owned several # !1's. Also some model 77's. While they didn't seem to kick my shoulder that much, several in heavy calibers kicked me in the check bone. My pal's son had one and he suffered the same deal. Others shoot them with out that problem. It must have to do with the shape of ones face or something. I liked my number # 1's, but they were always traded for something else.

jack j · « **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2009, 04:57:14 PM »

Hello,
I own 6 Ruger #1 Bs
257 wby mag
270 wby mag

jack j · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2009, 05:03:16 PM »

Hello
I own 6 Ruger #1 Bs,

257 wby mag s/s
270 wby mag
7mm-08 rem s/s
7 mm wby mag s/s
300 wby mag
338 win mag

All of them shoot great none had to be accurized.I reload for each of them
The mags do have alittle umph to them but it is bearable
The price of $600. sounds very good especially if it is in good to excellent condition.They sell for any where from $840 to $900. new.

saltydog · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2009, 03:22:50 AM »

Yards with service rifles ?? A heavy caliber Ruger #1 - or any large caliber rifle for that matter - is of limited use. This is a good price for the rifle. I enjoy my Ruger 1's but they are in smaller calibers and therefore I can shoot at a wider variety of game and varmits as well as bench sessions. A 9 1/2 lb. - 10 1/2 lb. with scope is going to have recoil but certainly no more than a 8 1/2 30:06. My impression of the #1's is that if you have average to shorter arm length and a round oval face the rifle is going to come up and smack you in the cheek - make sure you buy a scope with lots of eye relief.

pastorp · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2009, 06:26:21 AM »

The 300WM will not kick that much more than your 30/06. To me the draw back is the ugly rifle. I just can't like the ruger laminated stocks.

That said, it may be a thing of beauty to you. Good price. Buy it if you like it.

Regards,

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2009, 06:57:01 AM »

Had a #1 in 22-250 . nothing speical , loading was a pain . If i were you i would get a new 77 in 300WM , mine shoots great and kicks no worst than my 30-06 in the field . YES ON THE BENCH YOU NOTICE but not much .

DEACONLLB · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2009, 10:09:55 AM »

That is a good price as that is what I paid for my no 1 in 22-250 and it was not stainless, shot good but was heavy. I see them at the gun shows now in the 700 to 950 range. as has been said I to am not a laminated stock lover on any gun no matter what brand. If it fits good and you like it that is all that counts.
Deaconllb

Rogue Ram · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2009, 07:14:23 PM »

I'll likely look at it this weekend and go from there. Sorry about the confusing original post, I was exhausted.

I have heard from folks that the stock design can hurt some people, so I'll see how it fits. I agree from all i see and hear, that is a great price!

RR

harrys · « **Reply #12 on:** September 01, 2009, 03:08:59 PM »

tht's a great buy,, i have a stainless laminate in 7mm stw ,and 2 wood blued in 25-06 wouldn't sell none of em they shoot great with time tested handloads.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 16, 2009, 07:56:23 AM »

I have No.1's in several calibers'(220 swift, 6mm Rem., 25-06, 300 WinMag,) and the list goes even a bit further.. and of them all none kick overly bad. A 300 Mag of any flavor will let you know it went off but is not damaging. The stocks are a bit straight combed and thats not the best form for severe recoil but they are heavy enough to allow the average shooter to cope.. I don't like the stainless version of the No.1 but that's just an opinion of an old fogey.. I prefer blued steel and nice walnut, especially on a clasic single such as the No.1.

ncpreacherboy1 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 16, 2009, 09:20:27 AM »

Around here that gun would fetch upwards of 750-800 bucks, probably more.

Skunk · « **Reply #15 on:** September 16, 2009, 09:48:23 AM »

Quote from: ncpreacherboy1 on September 16, 2009, 09:20:27 AM

Around here that gun would fetch upwards of 750-800 bucks, probably more.

Same here. At least $700.00. I'd very much like to have a nice #1 - something about a single shot. But, the one I'd like is the Varmint model in .223.

If a guy were looking for a single shot 300 Mag, especially one in a Stainless Steel variety, then the above #1 sounds like a very decent deal.

mrcooper · « **Reply #16 on:** September 18, 2009, 05:11:14 PM »

I got one that kicks pretty good a #1 Tropical in 416 Rem Mag. Am working up some loads fer it, only been to the range once so far.

Coltdriver · « **Reply #17 on:** September 24, 2009, 04:37:43 PM »

I have owned several #1's. I have one in .253 Ackley Improved now.

The trick to making them shoot well is to know your headspace. I was plagued with vertical stringing with mine until I figured out that I needed to bump the shoulder to allow a little headspace. Now I can shoot quarter sized groups at 100 yards. I took my first antelope with it at just over 200 yards a couple of days ago.

I never got a second shot at anything so the single round capacity is not an issue for me. I have seen some fellows with a wrist band that would hold two cartridges who could reload very quickly.

They are very strong. Arguably the strongest action you can get.

That's a good deal for an all weather rifle. I have found the limbsavers the key to shooting very heavy recoiling rifles. I have a 45 70 and could not shoot it without the limbsaver.

Ron T. · « **Reply #18 on:** September 29, 2009, 03:39:51 AM »

That #1 is a "steal" at that price !~!~!

I'd guess the fella selling it is bothered by recoil since a 9½ pound rifle iin .300 Win. Mag. with a good recoil pad shouldn't bother most men all that much.

You could reduce some of that recoil loading 165 grain bullets rather than 180 grain bullets and not lose much... if any.

With the longer barrel and greater powder capacity, it should far out-class your .30/06.

As to taking elk at 400 yards... that's a "fur piece" for any caliber and rifleman... close to a quarter of a mile and elk are kinda "tough". But if you are a practiced rifleman at those kind of ranges, then more power to ya, my friend.

Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Joe S. · « **Reply #19 on:** January 08, 2010, 04:21:57 PM »

In my opinion you can't go wrong with the No. 1. I hunted one in 7mag for several years before "upgrading" to my .444 handi.

In all seriousness, the Ruger is my favorite high powered rifle I ever shot. Recoil was very managable.

Autorim · « **Reply #20 on:** January 08, 2010, 05:34:21 PM »

I have owned several No. 1's over the years and still have a couple. I look more for No. 3's now. I had one No. 1 in .338 Win mag and it shot just fine. I shot it quite a lot and eventually traded it for a special order M70 Classic in same caliber. I tend to agree with Finn Aagaard who once stated if he could only have two rifles they would probably be the .270 Win and .338 Win mag. and 90% of the shooting would be with the .270. To me the felt recoil is greater with my No. 1 in 45-70 than the .338.

Ken

Tom W. · « **Reply #21 on:** January 08, 2010, 11:39:50 PM »

Get it, put a Moyers trigger in it and a limbsaver recoil pad on the end and be happy.

Joe S. · « **Reply #22 on:** January 09, 2010, 11:24:43 AM »

Autorim
Whats the difference in the #3s and the #1s?

Autorim · « **Reply #23 on:** January 09, 2010, 12:13:50 PM »

No. 3's are straight stock, no pistol grip, barrel band, lever has a bit of a pistol grip built into the shape. Originally chambered in .22 Hornet, 45-70 and 30-40 Krag. Later in .223, .44 mag, .375 Win and maybe others. They are shorter, lighter and have a clean, classic and simple design. I think last year of production was 1986.

Joe S. · « **Reply #24 on:** January 09, 2010, 12:48:26 PM »

I've heard of em. Even seen pics but never a side by side to a #1. Thanks for clearing that up.

Hi-jack off.

mechanic · « **Reply #25 on:** January 09, 2010, 04:32:55 PM »

Had an offer one time on a Ruger 1 in 416 Rigby. Shoulda' bought it. $500.00 was a good price for such a nice gun, but I couldn't get over the cost of brass and dies, and I've had some accuracy issues with Ruger's in the past.

In any event, that is a good price. If ya' like it, try it! You can always resell it at that price and recoup....

streak · « **Reply #26 on:** March 07, 2010, 03:51:48 PM »

I have a Ruger#1 Tropical in .375 H&H mag and recoil is not all that bad and one good accurate rifle!
I have used it on elk with the Hornady 270 grain RN.

8iowa · « **Reply #27 on:** March 12, 2010, 05:01:33 AM »

I'm "pondering, considering, wish listing", the # 1 "Boddington" in 300 H&H at a cost quite a bit more than the "steal" of a #1 for $600.

that being said, I have a lot of experience loading both 300 H&H and 300 Win. Mag. From a reloading standpoint they are virtually "peas in a pod". You do have to be careful with the 300 win. Mag. if you desire to crimp the bullet. It is relatively easy to slightly collapse the shoulder on the 300 Win. Mag., making it impossible to chamber the cartridge.

The biggest problem I have with the #1 is in the selection of scopes and mounts. I found it necessary to use the extension ring, and a Leupold VXII 3 x 9 scope with 4.7" eye relief.