Ruger No. 1--convince me I'm wrong

C

Cosmoline

New member
I've been shooting very actively for several years now, from leverguns to bolt actions. I'm keen on the levers, but one rifle keeps catching my eye at the store--the Ruger No. 1. I can't really explain why I want one. It's just such a "pure" rifle, I suppose. It would be fine for hunting in the lower 48, but I live in S.C. Alaska. While small game hunting I've seen some *huge* bear tracks. I've also seen steel fishing pots stole from illegal dumps and torn to bits by the playful fellows. On the other hand, every bear I've actually encountered has run off in terror (the women do too, but that's another thread)

Is the Ruger No. 1 a foolish choice for hunting around these parts? I'm thinking of hot .45-70 loads, and I'm a pretty good shot.

(Of course, if everyone says it's foolish I will almost certainly buy it, due to my Squarehead genes.)
 
cosmo
buy it !!!!!
I love my ruger #1's yes it is plural as I own six and I'm looking to add another to the group as soon as my friend decides to sell it.
 
The Ruger #1 loads (heavy 45-70) will average about 3600-3800 ft-lbs of energy with a 405gr jacketed soft-point. Yes, it will kill a grizz. No, it won't matter, cause it won't matter if you missed with a lever action, or a single-shot....you'll still be bear poop. A friend of mine wants to get me to go bear huntin' up there (once in a lifetime), and he actually suggested a heavy 45-70. I'm going with Siamese mauser, but Ruger was top on his list.
 
i believe that you can also get a ruger #1 in .458mag or .416 rigby, and a few other bigger calibers if you don't feel comfortable with using a .45-70. however, if you have good shot placement, a .45-70 will do just fine.

also, since the ruger #1 is a single shot, you can used pointed .45-70 bullets for longer range shots.
 
Well I picked up a used one for $100 plus some old iron. Pretty good deal. The SN puts it in the mid '80's, but it doesn't look much worse for the ware.

Thanks for the tip on spitzer bullets. I had never thought of that before. I suppose it would work just like spitzer .30-30's in a Thompson Center. For now I'm sticking with handloads, mostly using hardcast 405 grain fn bullets.

I was debating about the new Marlin Cowboys, but the ones I saw seemed a little cheaply made for the price.
 
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