How good are Ruger No 1s ?
- Thread starter win94oz
- Start date
Shiloh Sharps makes the old 1874 and 1877 Sharps falling blocks, but all in old black powder calibers except for the 38-55 and the 30-40 Krag.
C Sharps (also in Big Timber Montana) makes the 1874, 1875 and 1877 Sharps rifles, the 1886 Winchester Highwalls and the Remington Hepburn.
I have used and owned a Sharps and I loved it, but to be honest my favorite Single Shot hunting rifles are the flintlocks I make myself and my Ruger #1 in 9.2X74R.
My Ruger is super accurate. Not all #1s are, but most are accurate enough for big game hunting. It's common for them to shoot into 2" or less at 100 yards and some will go well under 1"
The #1 is also one of the strongest, if not THE strongest sporting rifle action ever made.
Hagn also makes some super nice actions to build on. I have done one. I was impressed with the quality, but maybe I am just weird because I actually like my Ruger #1 better.
I had one in 243 a few years back that would shoot MOA with my handloads.
Way back in the 70s I also had one in 270 Win, and it shot good, but not outstanding. It would keep them under 2” at 100, but never much smaller than 1.5” at that range. 1 ½” was just fine for shooting western Mule Deer however, even out past 400 yards
If you buy any good single shot rifle I bet you’ll be happy. Ruger #1s are not rare and so some shooters look for a bit of "snob-appeal" with custom S.S. rifle and will not own a Ruger.
However from the standpoint of utility and reliability, I don’t think a better falling block rifle has been made. A few are “finer” but I don’t believe anything is better.
C Sharps (also in Big Timber Montana) makes the 1874, 1875 and 1877 Sharps rifles, the 1886 Winchester Highwalls and the Remington Hepburn.
I have used and owned a Sharps and I loved it, but to be honest my favorite Single Shot hunting rifles are the flintlocks I make myself and my Ruger #1 in 9.2X74R.
My Ruger is super accurate. Not all #1s are, but most are accurate enough for big game hunting. It's common for them to shoot into 2" or less at 100 yards and some will go well under 1"
The #1 is also one of the strongest, if not THE strongest sporting rifle action ever made.
Hagn also makes some super nice actions to build on. I have done one. I was impressed with the quality, but maybe I am just weird because I actually like my Ruger #1 better.
I had one in 243 a few years back that would shoot MOA with my handloads.
Way back in the 70s I also had one in 270 Win, and it shot good, but not outstanding. It would keep them under 2” at 100, but never much smaller than 1.5” at that range. 1 ½” was just fine for shooting western Mule Deer however, even out past 400 yards
If you buy any good single shot rifle I bet you’ll be happy. Ruger #1s are not rare and so some shooters look for a bit of "snob-appeal" with custom S.S. rifle and will not own a Ruger.
However from the standpoint of utility and reliability, I don’t think a better falling block rifle has been made. A few are “finer” but I don’t believe anything is better.
I've owned a few #1's over the years and I have to admire their style. All the good looks aside, I've never found one to shoot really good...although some people will argue that fact. I've watched people do all kinds of stuff to the forends to try to alter their accuracy including adding strips of rubber to float the barrel?. But I think it's pretty much luck of the draw if you get one that will shoot small groups.
I've heard it said that Ruger has built in a long freebore as a CYA thing to lower the pressures by giving the bullet a little run at the lands, but never measured one to confirm this.
I've heard it said that Ruger has built in a long freebore as a CYA thing to lower the pressures by giving the bullet a little run at the lands, but never measured one to confirm this.
I have been a single shot rifle aficionado all of my life. My first SS centerfire is the old Winchester High Wall I got in the 1950's. I have schuetzen single shots.
I got one of the first Ruger #1s when they came out. It has a four digit sn.
I ordered a 1A in 30-06 and it came in 7mm RM! The dealer said to take it or leave it as they were back ordered and in high demand.
So I hunted with a 22" bbl. 7mm RM! I got a few deer and pests with it and shot it a lot and the barrel wore out. Ruger rebarrels #1s for a good price and does a perfect job.
I got one of the first Ruger #1s when they came out. It has a four digit sn.
I ordered a 1A in 30-06 and it came in 7mm RM! The dealer said to take it or leave it as they were back ordered and in high demand.
So I hunted with a 22" bbl. 7mm RM! I got a few deer and pests with it and shot it a lot and the barrel wore out. Ruger rebarrels #1s for a good price and does a perfect job.
Dunno if this will answers the OP's question but I have 20 Ruger #1 rifles in various models from .22 Hornet to .416 Rigby. Some are extemey accurate and some just so so. One example. I bought a rather rough looking #1B in 25-06 that came with a set of dies and some brass. Pick a mid level load from one of my manuals for the 120 gr. Speer Hot Core, loaded up a box and went shooting. The worst group that day was .80". Most were in the .75" range give or take a few .001"s. A few months later I found another #1B that apparently spent most, if not all of it's life in a gun safe. I swear it thinks it's a shotgun. I have three #1's in .300 Win. Mag. and two are absolute tack drivers, the "S" model good for .75" and the "B" model a half inch gun all the way. The third is another "S" model that I haven't shot yet. It's one of the Centennial rifles. The .416 and .404 Jeffery ae definitely better than minute of Cape Buffalo. Awfully pricy to shoot though. 
I also have one Browning B78 in 30-06 that is very accurate. I've been using it expressly as a cast bullet shooter and getting quite good results.
Before anyone asks, yes I do hunt them. Hunting with a single shot is not as difficult as some would make it out to be.
Paul B.
I also have one Browning B78 in 30-06 that is very accurate. I've been using it expressly as a cast bullet shooter and getting quite good results.
Before anyone asks, yes I do hunt them. Hunting with a single shot is not as difficult as some would make it out to be.
Paul B.
kilimanjaro
New member
I have over a dozen Ruger No. 1 rifles. There is no way I would have laid out what they cost if they didn't shoot straight.
Folks tend to shoot better when they have one shot at the game.
Folks tend to shoot better when they have one shot at the game.
bamaranger
New member
early versions
Have read that the early No. 1's were essentially handbuilt, basically "custom production". Quality and attention to detail on the early rifles was supposedly very high, with first class wood too.
Never owned a No.1, but always admited them, and one of my constant itches has been its little brother, the No.3.
Have read that the early No. 1's were essentially handbuilt, basically "custom production". Quality and attention to detail on the early rifles was supposedly very high, with first class wood too.
Never owned a No.1, but always admited them, and one of my constant itches has been its little brother, the No.3.
I think the #1 is the most beautiful production rifle built. PaulB has it all over me but I have a few that I like. I prefer the light Sporter, Medium Sporter and Tropical Models over the heavy barrel versions.
This is from the 7x57 at 100 yards. Most shoot better than I can.
This is from the 7x57 at 100 yards. Most shoot better than I can.
Good to see all the Ruger #1 fans!
I have had several (that I never should of sold) & I currently have 2 Ruger #1's & 2 Ruger #3. If there is a handier rifle than the #3, I haven't found it!
They are no longer in production, but Browning's #78 is a fine SS rifle in all respects. It is pretty much a modern Win High-wall. Some don't like the traditional hammer, but it seems not to be a problem even with a low mount scope.
My advice is to buy a Ruger #1 & try it. I'll bet you'll love it, but if not, you'll probably never have a problem finding a buyer! (call me 1st)....LOL
...bug
I have had several (that I never should of sold) & I currently have 2 Ruger #1's & 2 Ruger #3. If there is a handier rifle than the #3, I haven't found it!
They are no longer in production, but Browning's #78 is a fine SS rifle in all respects. It is pretty much a modern Win High-wall. Some don't like the traditional hammer, but it seems not to be a problem even with a low mount scope.
My advice is to buy a Ruger #1 & try it. I'll bet you'll love it, but if not, you'll probably never have a problem finding a buyer! (call me 1st)....LOL
...bug
I've alreeady mentioned how many #1's Ihave. Only one was serious probleb, the 7x57 #1A. I forget whose barrels Ruger started out with but then switched to Wilson barrels and that's where the problems of people having accuracy problems comes from. MY 7x57 was throated so deep you could just about park an 18 wheeler witht wo trailers in it and still not come close to the rifling. 
Actually, the truth of the matter the throat was 2.5" long as determined by a chamber cast. I think it was a miracle any of the bullets hit point on. I did send it back to Ruger and they replaced the barrel and even refinished the rifle, lock, stock and barrel. I did fret and fuss thought out the seven months it to get my rifle back. Accuracy was superb. it's probably my favorite of all my Ruger #1's.
Paul B.
Actually, the truth of the matter the throat was 2.5" long as determined by a chamber cast. I think it was a miracle any of the bullets hit point on. I did send it back to Ruger and they replaced the barrel and even refinished the rifle, lock, stock and barrel. I did fret and fuss thought out the seven months it to get my rifle back. Accuracy was superb. it's probably my favorite of all my Ruger #1's.Paul B.
Mosin-Marauder
New member
If I may add, God those are beautiful rifles. Especially the International version. What are the chamberings these come in?
kilimanjaro
New member
Mosin, you can get these in 22 Hornet up to 505 Gibbs. Lots of good calibers out there.
I'm still waiting for 22LR, 8mm Mauser, 7.62x54r, and 7.5 Swiss chamberings.
I'm still waiting for 22LR, 8mm Mauser, 7.62x54r, and 7.5 Swiss chamberings.
Mosin-Marauder
New member
Mmm! I'd love a single shot in 7.62z54R AND 7.5! I wonder why the ruger website only lists 257 Roberts for the International though?
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
Ya know, I boycotted Ruger for good reason from '94 until about 2010. But after the trifecta occurred (dead Bill Sr., $1 million to NRA museum, and coming out with an AR15), I relented - so I need to take another look at these. Might be time. Nice looking rifles.
kilimanjaro
New member
Mosin, the Ruger folks generally offer only a few chamberings at certain times, since it costs money to tool up for a caliber. The No. 1s are a small part of the Ruger factory floor, only a few thousand a year get made and shipped.
A few years back, a run of 500 or so were made in .303 British, with at least half of them going to Canada and Australia. So it's pretty scarce here in the US.
The .30-40 Krag version is also sought after. Same with .404 Jeffery. They were offered for a few years a while back, and discontinued.
I think they are missing the boat on not offering some caliber runs, like 7.62x39, 7.62x54r, Swiss, 8mm Mauser, that kind of thing. Guaranteed to sell in steady fashion to shooters.
The .375 H&H is probably the best all-around large game rifle for North America, I think, provided you like single-shot rifles.
A few years back, a run of 500 or so were made in .303 British, with at least half of them going to Canada and Australia. So it's pretty scarce here in the US.
The .30-40 Krag version is also sought after. Same with .404 Jeffery. They were offered for a few years a while back, and discontinued.
I think they are missing the boat on not offering some caliber runs, like 7.62x39, 7.62x54r, Swiss, 8mm Mauser, that kind of thing. Guaranteed to sell in steady fashion to shooters.
The .375 H&H is probably the best all-around large game rifle for North America, I think, provided you like single-shot rifles.
Mosin-Marauder
New member
They're probably worried some doofus won't clean his gun after he shoots corrosive ammo( only applies to 7.62 and 8mm) and sues them because "mah burrel dun rusted!"
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
A hunting neighbor up by my cabin has/had one. I see its caliber is no longer listed. 7mm Mag. (heavy rifle w/ Leupold glass) _As far as I know he liked his so well he gave it to his 15 yr. old daughter a year or so back. {Her first big game rifle.} Last time I seen the gent he was using a stock Chinese Norinco SKS for his deer hunting.