Questions on Ruger #1's

[cleveland48]

Hey guys, I've been looking into the ruger #1"s here lately.  I think they are the most attractive of firearms besided maybe an english double.  And they look a whole lot better than an TC encore. My question is, about what is there to expect as far as accuracy goes? Or what is some of the things done to accurize these rifles, like work on the forend and stuff?  I'll just tell you the calibers i've been looking at since i don't know much about the models of these rifles.  The calibers would include the likes of 270, 7x57, 6.5 creedmore, 300 H&H, 30/06.  What have ya'll experienced accuracy wise in these calibers? Thank for any help guys.

[PowPow]

Have not done any modifications to mine. Only shoot tuned handloads.
1-V 22-250 has given me a .16" 3 shot group and a .38" 6 shot group, and seems to shoot better hot.
1-RSI 30-06 has done a .40" 3 shot group if I left it cool back down between shots.
(in old posts in this forum or the Ruger forum, it seems the 7x57 is the most loved, least accurate cartridge)
 

[sportclay]

I have been collecting #1's &#3's for 35 years and while some have had some accuracy issues( all solvable) most have been great shooters with a couple of them exceptional right out of the box.  I currently have 19 #1's & #3's. A 338WM 1-s , 300H&H 1-S, and a 22-250 1V are all 1/2 to 3/4 MOA shooters 2 45-70's are nearly MOA.  Everything else will shoot to 1 1/2 with handloads and factory loads.  I have had some issues with 1-A's that when they got warm at the bench would change point of impact or string vertically.  I can't recall ever shooting 3 time at a game animal to warm up the barrel like that in a hunting situation , so I don't consider it a problem.  Several rifles I have not done enough shooting with to know what their potential is.  I recently acquired a 9.3x74R and have only fired about 10 rounds through it and it shoots the Norma 285 factory loads into 1 1/8" groups.  Buy one and have fun with it.  bet you can't own just one!

[sportclay]

Have not done any modifications to mine. Only shoot tuned handloads.
1-V 22-250 has given me a .16" 3 shot group and a .38" 4 shot group, and seems to shoot better hot.
1-RSI 30-06 has done a .40" 3 shot group if I left it cool back down between shots.
(in old posts in this forum or the Ruger forum, it seems the 7x57 is the most loved, least accurate cartridge)
 

I have a 1-A in 7x57 and have owned two others.  The accuracy was an issue with one which is why I got rid of it. In hind sight I wish I hadn't because I believe I now know what the problem was.  When I got the current one I had problems with it also.  One day I took it to the range with an older box of Fed 175gr SP.
Shot them to foul the bore prior to testing some hand loads.  Lo and behold it shot that heavy bullet into 1", better than it had ever done.  Shot my 140 Nos Accubond next and the groups opened to 1 3/4".  Got home and checked the rate of twist and suprise! 1-7.5".  Never thought to check the rate of twist in the barrel. As long as I put 160-175 gr bullets through it it will shoot MOA all day.  Some of the earlier barrels apparently were of this faster twist.  I believe this accounts for some of the bad rap for this cartridge in this rifle.  1-9.5"  is supposedly what it in them now.

[PowPow]

...bet you can't own just one!...

agree, but if you want to try to own just own, go with the 1-A in 270 or 243.

[Awf Hand]

The Rugers accuracy issues generally stem from the metal/wood contact regions of the forearm.  I believe almost any of them can be made to shoot.  Mine is a bit more modded than most and performs admirably, but it has no forearm hanger, and the forearm attaches directly to a barrel block which serves as a cleat for the mainspring guide.  There are many aftermarket accurizing pieces made for them if desired, but once the barrel/forearm interface issues are tackled, they usually only provide incremental improvement.
If they wont shoot, inspect the forearm to make sure it is not contacting the barrel or action.  This will 'fix' most of the REALLY poor shooting units.

[Darrell Davis]

Cleveland48,

Have loved the #1 ever since I saw the first magazine ad waaaaaay back.

Have never had one which didn't shoot well.

However, I like to glass bed and then float the forends and for hunting consistancy, I don't do barrel pressure!

If you look carefully in side the inletting of the forend, you can see about three places where the wood can be bedded to the metal.

One where the forend screw goes into the under barrel hanger, one where the adjustment screw for the extractor is located, and one place on the other side of the forend.

Bed to those three spots and then float, which takes care of any forend to barrel pressure issues.

Keep em coming!

CDOC

[boatboy]

I Love #1s I have a few
The one issue I hadnt seen any one bring up is the early #1s had other companys making the barrels.Some were quite better than others. I am sorry I dont know what year but Ruger started making their own barrels and the guns (overall) became more accurate and consistant.

I dont know how accurate this is but when I see a red pad on one I have to question it. I am sure there are more scientific ways but.......

Last fall I almost bought a 22-250 for my collection but something didnt seem right

But they are cool like Fonzie

Hank

[cole k]

I've bought three No. 1's in the last 6 years. Two were NIB No. 1A and one was used No. 1B.
All 3 shot three shot groups with factory ammo at 100 yards into 1 1/4” groups.
With a little trigger work and handloads all three are MOA or less rifles.

[ohiosam]

I have two #1s. A 1V .243 that has a long throat that shoots good (sub 3/4") with 87 grain or heavier bullets that can be seated long. The other is a 1B .257 Roberts that I haven't had much trigger time with it yet but the couple of loads I tried were in the range of 1-1.25.

[gunnut69]

I love Ruger No.1's but some of the earlier guns have had major problems with the barrels.. The story I had heard was that as Ruger was switching to making their own barrels there were some quality control issues.. The 77/22 Hornets were really affected and all the early blued guns were horrible. The SS guns shot great and Ruger would replace the bad barrels with Douglas units if they were sent in with accuracy issues.. I have a 'B' model in 6mm Rem that has real accuracy problems.. It's not unusable but not suitable for small varmits either. I haven't gone thru all the reloading hoops that may fix the problem but have considered a change to 6mm-06 or 240 Weathby as a possible solution.. The problem seems from past experience to stem from too long throats..especially in the 7x57..  I also have a 220 Swift in a No.1V and a 300 WinMag in a No.1V. The last is quite old and was made as a trial baloon for the ShotShow. It has a brother and 2 7mm RemMag little brothers that I haven't located ,,yet. By the ay the second 300 is located here I Missouri also..