A different Ruger No. 1 question

[Thane_Of_Fife]

Just bought a beautiful No. 1 in 45-70 last night for my 27th Birthday present to myself.  I've read articles about forearm hanger issues.  Is the claim of the No. 1 forearm throwing off bullet impact legitimate or an excuse upon which crapshots set their minds at ease?  Also, wanted to know if anyone has recommendation of finely adjustable iron sights for this gun, its used and came with a scope but in IL, there are no ranges greater than 100yds so a scope, to me, is pointless in this wretched state.
 
Thanks and happy new year,
 
JD

[DennisB]

Hangar issues with the #1 are a perpetual topic of often heated discussion--so here goes.     I'll bet you find that, with the 45/70 at least, it won't be an issue.  Can't speak to the iron sights; I'm twice your age and sorta depend on glass--
Good luck, that's a fun caliber in a nice rifle!
 
(Sorry about your wretched state-)

[Lloyd Smale]

shoot it first. Most need nothing done.

[Stuart C.]

all valid comments imho, but...
it takes no time at all to install 'dampeners' at the forend screw and under the hangar (and maybe float the barrel a bit more on a smaller cal rifle).  Don't hold moisture, easily removed, with no permanent mods.  I did and shot my best group with mine.  Did it help? Maybe/probably. 
I would go directly to New England Custom Gun for sights...but a low power scope looks nice too!  Good luck.

[Dand]

I have  had a #1b 223 for many years.  I have to say the accuracy has been a bit of a disappointment - I can get a rare .75" at 100 yds, now and then 1" but more often 1.2 to 1.5 groups.  I'm not the hottest shooter but I can routinely do better w my 300 win mag so I tend to blame the Ruger.  I have only made minor changes.   I've always loved the look and feel so keep it.  I'm not sure the forearm is an issue and have hesitated to mess with it.  The really long throats Ruger uses for .223 barrels is probably an issue - I've been tempted to rebarrel a number of times but haven't come up with the $$. I have installed Wolfe Springs which helped.  A noticeable improvement came when I filed back the quarter rib so it didn't bear on the receiver.  I put a leather cheek / comb piece on it which helped quite a bit to get my eye at a better level with my 6x18 Burris. In an experiment with cheek pressure and sand bag placement, I concluded that the 2 piece stock and variable cheek weld was an influence.  I've decided if I want to get really serious about a tack driver 223 I should find a good bolt gun. Also, for trying to shoot off a bench, the lever of the #1 becomes a total annoyance  - that came home to me in my 1 and only prairie dog shoot.


But for a single shot hunter for medium to big game, say in .270 or fatter, the #1 is a good design.


Now, I have a question for Stuart C or anybody else - what was used as "dampeners"?  Sounds like something easy I'd like to try.  Can anyone elaborate?

[Stuart C.]

Hangar: Cut a piece of rubber/plastic flexible tubing found at any hardware store into ~ 1.5" x 1".  Push this between the barrel and the hangar as firmly as possible.
 
Forend Screw: Cut an innertube or similar matl into the size of a nickle.  Cut a hole in the middle of the little disk.  Push screw through disk and reattach.  Good luck.

[Swampman]

Shoot it first as mentioned most need nothing.  A scope is never pointless.

[Darrell Davis]

Well, because it is what I do, I glas bed to the hanger and then float the barrel.  Standard  way to do things for me.
 
I also get rid to the Alexander Henry groove on the forend, as it is about the only thing I don't like about this great rifle.  I replace the groove with a forend tip of contrasting walnut or ebony.  CLASSIC/CLASSY!!!!
 
AS per shooting with iron sights, well maybe.?.?   I intended to scope mine, but before doing so figured I'd get the irons ready for backup.  OUCH!!!!!!!!   
REALLY BEAT MY FACE!!!!!!!!!!!!    To the point I wondered if I was man enough for the 45/70.
 
Once the scope was mounted, NO PROBLEM!  Yes, it can still come back on you depending on the bullet/load/velocity, but the pain and bite was gone with the higher head position.
 
Love the rifle in the hills!  Light and short, a pleasure to hunt with and big cast boolits with a wide meplat are awesome for taking game animals!!!!, JUST REALLY AWESOME!
 
Keep em coming!
 
Crusty Deary Ol'Coot
 

[briarpatch]

Darrel Davis, do you have any pics of how you glass bed and free float the barrel?

[Darrell Davis]

Briarpatch,
 
Send me a PM with your "E" address and I will forward some shots.  Worse come to worse, might need snail mail, but lets try the email first.
 
CDOC

[briarpatch]

Thanks Pm on way.

[Hank08]

Usually large calibers shoot well without any extra work, 45/70/ .458, .375, etc.  Small high intensity calibers sometimes need lots of work before grouping well.
H08

[nomosendero]

shoot it first. Most need nothing done.

Indeed.
Not only that, but the barrels of the recent rifles are very good by factory rifle standards, a big improvements.
 
I have a big file of all the accuracy tricks. But, I have a new 264WM that is doing very well out of the box. I am not much for gunwriters in general but I think Barnesss is one of the best & he has stated sev. times lately the new Number 1's are doing well.
 
Just shoot it first and see what happens.

[Wayne123]

I have a Ruger 1B in 30'06 that is quite finicky.  Factory loads rarely went below 2" with 2.5 - 3" being the norm.  Good handloads dropped that to a consistent 1.75 - 2".  Tried a rubber gasket between hanger and barrel with no improvement.  Removed forend and shot with receiver on front rest - .875" and 1" 5 shot groups.  Floated forend and problems gone.  Now she's a consistent 1.25" shooter which in my book is good considering where I started.  Through all the range trips, time at the reloading bench and time in front of the computer, I never thought of getting rid of this rifle.  Maybe its the fact that even when she couldn't hold 2 moa, she never failed me in the field.  A dozen or so shots at deer, an equal number of recovered animals.  Something special about #1s. 

[Darrell Davis]

Yep Wayne123,
 
Glas bed the underbarrel hanger and then float the forend.  Problems is you had any gone as per vertical stringing or group problems.
 
Bedding/floating is the rule for consistancy in a hunting rifle.  In that way, there simply will be no surprises in the field, at least any caused by forearm/barrel contact.
 
Keep em coming!
 
Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

[jiminpa]

i got one in 45-70 also.mine needed nothing but shot! wicked deer thumper,i put a leopold 1-4 on top,can't outshoot the scope.and talk about field of view! i reload hornady 300 gr hollows for it,keep them away from bone and you can eat right up to the bullet hole.

[Swampman]

Bedding and floating is rarely needed and many rifles shoot worse floated.  Shoot it first.

[Wayne123]

Bedding and floating is rarely needed and many rifles shoot worse floated.  Shoot it first.

I agree.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  But if it's broke, gotta do something.