Ruger #1 questions

[billy ahring]

Was kicking around the idea of picking up a Ruger #1 in .22-250 that is in the local gunshop. I'm bolt gun guy so I'm not real familiar with the shot to shot accuracy of the no. 1 And if not what can be done to this rifle to better the groups. Have never really considered a single shot before, but this thing is just flat sexy to look at. Whoever had it before obviously took very good care of it. On the outside it looks great and the bore is great as well, I was just wondering if anyone here has had any experience with the no. 1's . The guy behind the counter was a super nice fella, just not real knowledgeable about the rifle.

I think it could be had for $500 . What is the consensus of opinion of that. I would rate the gun at 98% The only visual flaw that I can find is a little blue wear at the muzzle, probably from going in and out of a gun case. And the wear is minimal but you can notice it if your looking.

Thanks for the input.......
Billy

[popplecop]

Over the years I've had several and had mixed results. The 25-06 I never did get to shoot, so down the road it went. My 270 and 45-70 are excellent shooters. They are better shooters than I am. I do like single shots and will keep them til they go to my son and daughter.

[skeet]

Have had a few of these beautiful rifles... Mostly in smaller calibers. They have a tendency to string shots vertically. Mainly because of the forend. You can do a couple of things to fix that problem though and they usually seem to shoot pretty well. My 22-250 shot sub 3/4" groups with 4 different loads The 243 is under an inch with all the loads I've put in it..including the 3 factory loads I've put through it. When they work that well you have a tendency to quit looking for more loads, Had a 270 and a 25-06 that shot ok too. The rifle is a bit heavy also.. especially the 1-B and 1-V. All mine were 1-B configuration except for the 25-06 1-V. Buy it...you'll like it I bet. Ask to try the darn thing and buy a box of factory loads form the shop. Sometimes they'll let ya return if it won't shoot. Doesn't hurt to ask. It's not like it was a new rifle.

[PJgunner]

Billy. Life with a Ruger #1 is like life living with a woman, you never know till you live with her. :rolleyes:

Guess I must be a polygamist as I have 16 of these rifles plus a custom job built on a #1 action. They range from a #1B in .22 Hornet to a #1H in .416 Rigby, plus a #1H in 45-70.

Some can be very temperamental like a prima donna and other just like a faithful hound dog.

You didn't say whether you were looking at a #1B or 1V. You'd probably get better accuracy from a #1V than the B, but most seem to shoot reasonably well. I've only had one that was bad enough to have to send back to Ruger for repairs and they put a whole new barrel on that one.

It all depends on just how much accuracy you feel you need. I've seen #1s deliver .375" groups. My .300 Win. Mag. 1B is consistantly doing this. My .22 Hornet will put ten rounds inside a dime with factory ammo. My #1v is another tackdrive in .223. Most of the rifles for big game shoot groups comeasurate with the game they're designed for, and mostly better than that. Some were good out of the box and some had to be tinkered with. The custom job, a #1 action with Remington .223 lightweight barrel and custon stock has had to be seriously messed with and still needs tweaking.

I can't say I know all the answers to making one shoot good, but if you decide to comit to that 22-250 and do have problems, I'll be more than glad to try and help out.
Like I said, living with a #1 can make life interesting. I wouldn't have it any other way. :D
Paul B.

[billy ahring]

The rifle I'm considering is a #1 V so hopefully it's a consistent shooter. I'm gonna try and swing by that shop and see what kind of deal I can work out. Been ratholing some cash for a while now so I'm getting close to having the funds together, unfortunately I gotta get front brakes on the wifes jeep or I'm gonna be looking at some rotor work and that'll really cost. I'll keep ya posted as to if and when I pick it up and how it shoots. If it doesn't do so well can I pick your brain for info?

Later,
Billy

[Ridge Runner]

I have 2, a #1B in 270 wea. mag with a 6x24 burris signature, it will average 1.1" on most days with me mashin the trigger, I also have a #1V in 22-250 with a 6x24 B&L that shoots sub MOA, these rifles have factory triggers (you know the ones that have adjustment screws that don't do nothin) with better triggers I'm sure these rifles are capable of shooting better. One word of advise, learn how to float the forends, it helps alot.
RR

[PJgunner]

Originally posted by billy ahring
The rifle I'm considering is a #1 V so hopefully it's a consistent shooter. I'm gonna try and swing by that shop and see what kind of deal I can work out. Been ratholing some cash for a while now so I'm getting close to having the funds together, unfortunately I gotta get front brakes on the wifes jeep or I'm gonna be looking at some rotor work and that'll really cost. I'll keep ya posted as to if and when I pick it up and how it shoots. If it doesn't do so well can I pick your brain for info?

Later,
Billy

OK, a #1V does not have the rib that is found on most #1 rifles. They have two blocks screwed to the barrel in a conventional manner which leads me to feel that your accuracy should be just fine. Once you get hooked on #1s, yes they are addictive, you'll want more.:eek: :rolleyes: :D
You can pick my brain, but there's a big hollow space there and pickin's might be slim.:D :D :D
Paul B.

[DocHunter]

I picked up a barely used Ruger #1 7x57 several years ago which has become my favorite deer gun. It shoots my 140 gr. handloads consistently to 1 in. groups at 100 yards. I got that gun, a scope and two boxes of handloads for $295.00 (eat your hearts out!) from a fellow who intended to take it to Africa on an extended stay over there, but gun did not arrive in time, so it never made it to Africa. I also have a Ruger #3 Carbine (now discontinued, I think) in .223 which is a real tack-driver. Being a left-handed shooter, I am partial to single shots and lever actions, but also have a Remington 700 LH in .270.

[270man]

Dochunter (and anyone else who wants to comment),

I don't own a Ruger #1 but am getting the itch. One thing bothers me about this type of action, and I wonder how you handle it? When deer hunting with my bolt rifles, I normally have cartridges in the magazine and only chamber one when I am near game or on stand. Seems to me that the Ruger #1 should be carried with empty chamber for maximum safety. Otherwise, it must be carried in a ready-to-fire condition. Which method do you use, and why? IMHO, this is only an issue with big game hunting when the hunter is sometimes on the move.

270man

[DocHunter]

Originally posted by 270man
Dochunter (and anyone else who wants to comment),

I don't own a Ruger #1 but am getting the itch. One thing bothers me about this type of action, and I wonder how you handle it? When deer hunting with my bolt rifles, I normally have cartridges in the magazine and only chamber one when I am near game or on stand. Seems to me that the Ruger #1 should be carried with empty chamber for maximum safety. Otherwise, it must be carried in a ready-to-fire condition. Which method do you use, and why? IMHO, this is only an issue with big game hunting when the hunter is sometimes on the move.

270man

I usually only chamber a cartridge as you do when in my stand or when anticipating a possible shot as in still-hunting. I use a stock-mounted cartridge holder to hold a few extra cartridges at the ready, but as most of us know, that first or only shot is really the one that counts. The gun does have a safety easily reachable with your thumb behind the action, but again we should all know to never rely on a mechanical safety.

[Evan03]

how did you check the bore.

i was told my tang safety ruger had bad wore out bore. i fired a few groups and told them about it and basicaly said yoiur freakn nusts if you can look throught that with you naked eye and tell me it loos shot out.

some people know everything, i know very little, i do know if if my 22/250 after 24 years is shootin pristine groups ill also guess that your 22/250 #1 will do the same.