| HistoricBore |
| (.300 member) |
| 08/04/17 04:00 AM |
Which Ruger No. 1 should I choose?
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Hi Guys, and ladies
I'm wondering about buying a secondhand Ruger No. 1 single shot rifle as a reloading and not-too-serious target rifle. A local dealer here in England has got two for sale, and both are chambered for the 7 x 57 rimless round. One is really very early, with a red rubber butt plate, whilst the other is somewhat later. Both have a 22" sporting-weight barrel.
I'm sorry to be so vague about it, but I have not seen them in the flesh, or indeed been able to find out the serial numbers, which would then let me know the date of manufacture.
I have read so much about the various accuracy problems with these, and also read about various cures, that I am a little cautious. I do have a recent copy of RIFLE which had a very good analysis of them, plus a similar copy of GUNS & AMMO. In other countries the answer would just be to shoot them, but that's not too easy here in Britain....
So my question really is: at what point did the factory begin to make these rifles with reasonable accuracy, or is it not just that simple?
HistoricBore
| Rell |
| (.375 member) |
| 08/04/17 06:31 AM |
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Re: Which Ruger No. 1 should I choose?
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My understanding is that the earliest guns where basically semi custom made to high standards. Once they become more popular and where produced in greater quantity the number of lemons increased dramatically.
I like the earlier rifle when ever I get a chance.
| Rule303 |
| (.416 member) |
| 08/04/17 07:14 AM |
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Re: Which Ruger No. 1 should I choose?
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Rell, that is my understanding to.
I had one of the first 303 N0 1 into Australia and it grouped extremely well laterally but vertically, it was horrendous. 4 to 5 inches. I tried every single remedy type, including shooting it with no forend and just the action sitting on the rest, different degrees of pressure or no pressure on the barrel by the fore end. No matter what I did the grouping was the same. After some vigorous discussion with the importers they exchanged it. The one I now have is a dream.
I would go the older one as it would look to have keep it's previous owner happy if he had it for a few years.
| 416rigby |
| (.300 member) |
| 08/04/17 09:23 AM |
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Re: Which Ruger No. 1 should I choose?
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The early No1's are referred to by us No1 enthusiasts as "red pads." At some point they switched to back. I have 2 No1's and I've never had any accuracy problems. The stock figure is generally nicer in the earlier guns, too.
Are the guns already scoped? If not they should come with Ruger rings.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 08/04/17 02:03 PM |
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Re: Which Ruger No. 1 should I choose?
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Mine, a #1 A, in 7x57 Mauser, liked 42.0gr. IMR4320 with 140gr. Partitions - 2,940fps - bit higher than the books show for that load. Some books do not go that high, but it is a book maximum and no pressure signs at all.
Sub 1" @ 100 meters.
7x57's make great #1's- just wanted a #1S (26"), not a #1A.