Tell Me About Ruger #1 Rifles

[MilsurpDan]

I'm thinking about getting a Ruger #1 Rifle. I've always liked Breech-Loaders, and I need a new hunting rifle, so it should be perfect. I've shot my Uncle's #1 in 6mm Remington and I really liked it, but besides that, that's all the experience I have with them.

Anybody here have one? How do you like it? Any quality or accuracy issues?
Would it be better to get an older or newer one (in the sense of say, Pre-64/Post 64 Winchesters)?

I'd like to find one in 6mm Remington or 7mm Mauser. I was given reloading dies and a bunch of brass and bullets for 6mm Remington, so ammo price isn't a big deal. Similar situation with 7mm Mauser.

 

[duckslayer]

I love them and own 4. 2 are tack drivers and 2 are yet to be determined. They can exhibit some issues with vertical stringing that can be addressed by changing the forearm hanger. Cabelas gun library is a good place to look by the way.
Good luck!

 

[ohen cepel]

I love them. Classic design and you get a much shorter rifle overall since there isn't a bolt action receiver in the mix.

Older ones seem to be more desirable (often indicated by the butt pad color) but I don't think there is much difference in the quality.

I think they are down to only 1 or 2 calibers being made each year now so I wouldn't wait long to get one. Also, research some to see which one you want as they have made many variations over the years and one may be the perfect fit for you.

May need the fore end hanger as mentioned.
Will depend some on the rifle and if you shoot it fast enough to get it hot. For a deer gun that my not be as much an issue as it could be for a varmint gun.

 

[El_flasko]

My step fathers #1 in 22-250 is Beautiful and I love shooting it.

 

[byf43]

Ruger #1 rifles are gorgeous.

A good friend has one in '06 that his Dad gave him, when he graduated High School.

It's the ONLY rifle he takes out west, for Whitetail and Mule Deer.



I've fired one. Twice.

A guy that used to be a member of SCSC (Honorary Life Member, now passed) re-barreled and re-stocked this beauty, and basically did all the work himself. He re-barreled it in .375 H&H w/ an octagonal barrel.
(Roland Jorgensen @ Accokeek Sports blued the rifle, after Wayne did all of the work. Rifle really was exquisite!)

He offered to let me shoot it, and being "young and dumb and full of _ _ _" I shot the bloody thing.

Knocked me on my rear-end. Twice. (And I was sitting at the bench!)

 

[MilsurpDan]

Thanks for the insight guys! Hopefully I'll be able to find one at the Howard County show next week or somewhere else.

 

[Drakos]

I have one, an '06 with scope, on consignment with Bob at Gunrunners in Frederick.

Love the rifle, but need to thin the herd...

 

[Silverlax]

I used to shoot my buddy's all the time out west. It was a 300 weatherby mag, and it kicked like a mule, but I can't even count the number of elk that thing had dropped. Excellent gun from my experience. The rule should be ingrained in hunters already, but it enforces the notion to make your first shot count, because reloading is going to take you a bit more than a bolt rifle.

 

[Rockzilla]

Have a few, the ones that I do shoot are great, the wood finish on the older ones is beautiful, They are accurate, reload for them, one of the ones I haven't shot is the Tropical in .458 Win Mag, the wood is just beautiful, even got the ammo for it...You will be happy with it, Pre 64 Winchester's are nice also.

-Rock

 

[BenL]

I'd love to get one- I'm a sucker for the Mannlicher stocked models. They currently make one in 6.5x55 I'd really like to have.

 

[John from MD]

Have a few, the ones that I do shoot are great, the wood finish on the older ones is beautiful, They are accurate, reload for them, one of the ones I haven't shot is the Tropical in .458 Win Mag, the wood is just beautiful, even got the ammo for it...You will be happy with it, Pre 64 Winchester's are nice also.

-Rock

The tropical is one of the best looking rifles made today. I was always partial to the .458 in my younger days. It was overkill for anything I hunted and I learned early to load it down. Stock triggers need some work and someone has already mentioned the forend hanger.

Just be aware that it is a straight comb single shot and the larger calibers will knock your socks off! Also, if you are going to hunt with it, you should practice holding two extra rounds between your fingers for fast reloads.

 

[Rockzilla]

The tropical is one of the best looking rifles made today. I was always partial to the .458 in my younger days. It was overkill for anything I hunted and I learned early to load it down. Stock triggers need some work and someone has already mentioned the forend hanger.

Just be aware that it is a straight comb single shot and the larger calibers will knock your socks off! Also, if you are going to hunt with it, you should practice holding two extra rounds between your fingers for fast reloads.

Yes Sir thanks for the nfo, never shot it, like you said the looks offset shooting it, and the wood with the grain,just to nice looking, got the H&H chamberings and of course the smaller calibers, I do the 2 fingers thing with the little calibers, friend owned owned a GS at that time, so ordered anything and everything, wanted magnums at that particular time...

and it's doesn't favor lefties or right handed people..

-Rock