ruger #1 international what do y'all think

[superdown]

hi everyone i was just curious as to whaat you all thought about quality fit & finfish, accuracy and just about anything else i should know about a #1 ruger i like the manlicher stock but i am somewhat concerned aboout the barrel only being 20in long. thanks superdown

[John Traveler]

The few Ruger Number One International rifles I've examined were typical Ruger Number One quality:  excellent polish, bluing, fit and finish of wood top-notch.  The last one I looked at was a 7x57 in as-new condition.  I was really tempted, but another caliber got my attention.  Oh well!

I have not fired a Ruger mannlicher yet, but have heard that the short carbine length barrel is designed to resist wood bedding deformation.  I dunno how that is gonna work because the standard Number One uses a forearm hanger arrangement to support the forearm.

Best of luck with yours and let us know how she shoots!

John

[swifty]

There are a lot of articles about accurizing the #1. The problem in the past has been changes in the wood changing pressure on the muzzel end of the forarm. I have 3 of the #1's in 375 H&H mag, 45-70,and the 243.
They all could use some finishing on the trigger pull and may need some accurizing on the hanger screw. What I have heard is a small washer .090
thickness to insure the wood doesn't push up on the barrel.

[marlinman93]

Swifty,
 The DeHaas method is still the most reliable way to accurize a #1. Simply drill and tap the hager for a 1/4-20 thread, install a set screw with non hardening LocTite, and screw it down against the barrel. Tighten it slightly, and shoot, tighten it some more, until the accuracy is what you want. It's the only method that allows you to adjust and tune the barrel with pressure.

[Yukon Jack]

I've got a No.1 RSI in 7x57 and though the wood to metal fit isn't as good as I would like, overall it's a dandy.  By the way, this particular one does not need accurizing to shoot well.

If the wood isn't properly sealed, yes, you will have problems with it, most likely.  But if you will take the time to properly seal the wood and ensure there are no tight spots, the rifle will shoot extremely well.  I haven't had to do anything other than seal the wood a bit.  It's a fine rifle, about 36" in length and 7lbs 2 oz.  Very light recoil and blast.  It's a winner.

I do believe the 7x57 is a better cartridge for this rifle than the 30-06 or 270.  I believe it is offered in 243 Win also, but that one wasn't considered.  If you like the No.1's and you like the classic chamberings, you will really enjoy the RSI.

[gewehrfreund]

I too have a #1RSI in 7x57 and it is one of my favorite #1's (I have seven). Fortunately, mine shoots like a house afire and it has shot some of the smallest 100 yd. groups I have ever shot with a sporter style centerfire (around 1/2" with the best loads on a good day). All Number Ones are nice, but this is definitely one of the classier versions. And in my opinion, 7x57 is the only caliber to have it in.

[superdown]

:? well i was thinking and you know how that can dangerouse :-D anyway because i am not a handloader the 7x57 seems a little to mild maybe a little less powerfull then 7mm-08 ? i dont want a 30-06 or 243 so for me the options are the 7x57 or 270 so what do you guys think? thanks superdown.

[Yukon Jack]

Winchester, Federal, and Hornady all have loads that are comparable to the 7-08, however Norma has some loads that are quite a bit hotter, as does Brenneke.

If loaded to the same pressures, using the same bullets, the 7x57 will provide a few fps than the 7mm-08.  The issue with the Ruger RSI is that you don't have a choice between the 7-08 and 7x57, it is only offered in 243 Win, 7x57, 270 Win, and 30-06.

If you are going to try to make this a long range rifle (only reason I could see the few extra fps between the 7mm-08 or 270 or 7x57) without handloading, try some of the European factory loads or the Hornady Light Magnums.

[EdK]

It's been a couple of months now and I thought I'd ask...

I only saw the thread this week but in case your still thinking about it I thought I'd let you know it's great in 30-06 too. Yes 7x57 is classic and I might even rather have that round myself however I came across an "as new" beauty in 30-06 for the right price and the rest is history.

Sure, 20" is a little short for 30-06 but it is for 7x57 too. You'd definitely get more blast from a .243 or .270 in this rifle than either of the two we're discussing. I hand load with 165 grainers with IMR 4064 which is a little faster than the most popular '06 powders and accuracy is just great and blast is well under control. I understand you are not a reloader but I believe you would need to play even more tricks to optimize the .243 or .270 for the 20" tube.

Remember: Remington has had great success selling 18.5" 30-06 carbines for years!  :-)

[Prince of Wales]

Superdown wrote
"the 7X57 seems a little to mild not as powerful as the 7mm/08"
 At the time of its introduction the 7/08 was (according to prominent gunwriters of that era) meant to be a modern day ballistic equivelent to the 7X57 Mauser. The 7X57 was considered to be one of the all time best cartridges and that an equivelent round in modern rifles was said to be in order. POW