Ruger #1 tropical

[Old Moss]

Morning Gents, I just picked up my new Stainless #1 tropical in 375H&H.  Looks and feels awsome.  Just one question, ok maybe two small questions.  Has anyone noticed while pushing a tight patch down the bore that you can feel right where the barrel band is located?  It is like a tight spot rough or really dirty.  It does not happen on every push through but frequently enough that one can't miss it.  Is this a problem, accuracy etc?  Haven't shot it yet; I know don't worry till you do.  But I was just wondering if anyone else had experianced this?  Thanks Old Moss :?

[marlinman93]

I had a #1 Tropical in .458 Winmag, but never experienced the problem you described. My gut reaction is much like your's, but I guess I'd shoot it, and see what happens. Then if it wont shoot, contact Ruger, and see what they say.

[EdK]

Let me know what you think of it when you shoot it. I love Ruger #1s and would like a 375 but all of the comments on this board seem to point to the recoil being extra-brutal in the #1... apparently far and away worse than any other 375 they have fired. Frankly I do not understand it but I don't know of anywhere to fire one before buying.

They are a little lighter than most 375s, I'd be willing to add weight or a recoil suppressor but most posts on this forum seem to point to the stock design. I went so far as contacting a custom stockmaker specializing in #1s and asked him what he did with his stocks to fix the "problem". He seemed to almost chuckle, commented on the Ruger stock design being excellent, etc.

So, I don't mean to scare you. I'd like another data point and eventually to get one of my own.

[Old Moss]

:grin: EDK, don't worry I will give you the straight scoop on the recoil.  Remember when shooting a single shot it is like holding a barrel and touching off a round straight direct and not as much weight.

As for that tough spot I feel it is smoothing up with cleaning; but I wonder if it is going to be a spot that fouls quicker than other spots in the barrel? Maybe because due to the bbl band it doesn't expand with each shot the same?  Who knows we still need to shoot it first .  Thanks again Old Moss

[gcf]

I would sure shoot it for groups before making any rash moves, but tight spots can mess up accuracy - or at least keep you from reaching full potential.

If you think about it, a tight spot anywhere in the bore will swage your bullet under size. Not to mention creating a nasty bit of fouling.

You might want to check out www.beartoothbullets.com & do a search on fire lapping. Marshall Stanton, the proprietor over there has got it down to a science - & sells fire lapping kits that work. W/ regards to ballistic improvments, check out his articles in the archives on the .444 Marlin.

I shoot mostly hard cast w/ my revolvers, & am plagued w/ the characteristic tight spot that is created when the barrel is torqued into the frame. I typically lap 'em right out of the gate - to reduce leading & improve accuracy.

I also shoot a #1-S in 45-70. Accuracy w/ this rifle is outstanding w/ the right load. Although I have never noticed any tight spots (gonna have to go check now), I would not hesitate to fire lap it (as directed) w/ Marshall's product line.

[oneb]

Anyone who touches off a .375 H&H @1 with the original wafer "recoil pad" should have their heads examined.  Ruger out to be ashamed to even moun them!

Biut my SS #1 with a decelerator pad is a very manageable rifle and I have a four inch scar from rotator cuff susrgery!  It opened upnew horizons for me.   And it is scary accurate to boot.

It wears a VX III Leupold 1.5x5 with a 4a reticle. Perfect for me.

oneb

[Redhawk1]

A mercury recoil suppressor will also aid in reducing the felt recoil. I have them in my big boomers.  

[choppa]

I realise everyones perception of recoil is different, but I felt that the recoil of the 375 H&H to be an absolute pussycat out of a tropical, 450 marlin out of a guide gun I found was much more punishing, I have a tropical in 458 lott coming next week, so I may be singing a different tune by then :shock:

[Hammerspur]

When my buddy and I first tried out the Ruger No. 1 Tropicals we had just purchased, we did a coin toss at the range to decide who would try their rifle first! I guess we were a little psyched. I got the toss, fired off a shot and was surprised at the relative civility of the big grandaddy. After long load developement sessions at the bench firing high loaded .45 cal soot-burners and large bore ball shooters, the H&H was really no big deal. If your shooting a scoped rifle, don't crawl the stock though!

[cabezaverde]

I certainly don't find mine to be abusive, but you know it went off.

[EdK]

Nice to hear some reports coming from #1 tropical owners stating the "manageable" nature of these rifles. I understand and believe the claims coming from some. I've owned a gun I didn't like shooting while others claimed no problem. Old Moss: have you fired yours yet?

Seems the popular scope selection is of the low-powered variable variety typical of a dangerous game rifle. Since my primary use would not be for anything dangerous, just moose, I was wondering also about a fixed 4x or maybe 2.5x?

I'll likely be stepping up my search activity for a nice used example.

Thanks again for the feedback

[DanP]

I now have two #1H's: .416 rem and .458 win.  Neither has a bad recoil.  I have a mod 77 in .458 lott -- that one is a little rougher on the bench, but not awful... not so bad offhand.

I have a 7mm rem mag with a 1H styling -- 1s?  Either way, 3 of the 4 #1's that I own have a barrel band.  None of my rifles show the problem that the origional post questioned -- so I cannot help.  Ask Ruger?

Dan

[bob allen]

I also have a .458 #1 I put a decelerator pad on and didn't look back.Very accurate with anything that will go down the bore.and with proper care I download to pop gun velocity and it's a ball for small pests.I use a williams reciever sight and sometimes  an old aimpoint for low light conditions in deep woods.

[Tom H.]

Hey OM.
My #1 .375 groups into 5/8" with factory ammo (Win st and Fed sp 300s) if I do my part so that should give you some idea of what they are capable of.
The best way to fire that rifle is (or at least what I do) by using a tight sling from the bench and I also use a shooting jacket.  The sling seems to do the trick.
Without the sling it groups a bit over an inch so it seems to make a difference.  Also it doesn't seem to beat you as badly being that it comes straight back.
BTW- I scoped it with a Leupold 2.5-8.  It originally had a low power scope but when it comes down to it, it is an honest 350yd + rifle with the trajectory of an 06. A friend took the same rig to Africa which was what sold me on the glass with more x.

Cheers

Tom

[tanoose]

I've been thinking of picking one up in 375 H&H i thought i might add a mercury recoil serpressor and a limb saver pad. How do these tropicals shoot . I also see that MPI stocks sells synthetic stocks for these  does anyone else?