Ruger No1 accuracy

T

tahunua001

New member
Hello all,
sometimes I hate technology. my brother and I usually swap our "Crazy Gun Idear(R is intentional) of the Day" via text message and my brother usually talks me out of a lot of the really crazy ones but today he brought up one he was considering and it reminded me of one of mine that I thought was dead and gone: the Ruger No1

I was originally considering this model in 303 brit or a specialty caliber conversion but now that idea has evolved into 30-06 since I know of a secret place that has a large amount of 30-06 ammo for super cheap. now that my caliber choice has branched out I see that my options are between the No1 light sporter and the International. I have always been a sucker for Mannlichers and having a breach loader would definitely add that little oddity to the arsenal that I've been looking to add.

I know the No1 is hit or miss on accuracy depending on the round it's chambered in. is the 30-06 more of a match grade level of accuracy or is it hunting level accuracy?

has anyone noticed difference in accuracy between the sporters and internationals?

has anyone has this particular configuration and chambering?
 
I have two of them in calibers 45-70 and 30'06. I've taken one deer with the 45-70 this past season. I top it off with a Millet Red Dot sight and they both are super accurate. For me the 30'06 has match grade accuracy and I've only had to shoot the 45-70 out to 200 yards and it was dead on.

So I would definitely recommend the model. Recently Ruger has standardized all of the #1s with 22 inch barrels. My 30'06 is an older model with a 26 inch barrel but they both shoot 1 moa or better at 100 yards.
 
Ruger #1

Had 2, 243 & 22-250. Both heavy barrels. No accuracy, even after working on the forearm of the 243. No more #1's for me.
 
Last edited:
The #1 accuracy is far less caliber specific than barrel [HV is best] or stock. The full forend aggrivates all the flexible barrel hanger issues.
 
I got a NIB Ruger No. 1A a few months ago, chambered in 6.5x55 Swedish. Great cartridge, great rifle...accuracy is just fine for hunting. The 100 yard group below was shot with factory Remington 140gr CoreLokt because I had not yet gotten dies, brass and bullets and wanted to test the rifle. (I sight in approx. 2.4" high at 100 yards to be spot on at 200 in this caliber). I'm good to go for next deer season with1-1/2 boxes of CoreLokts.

BTW, the No. 1 is such a nice compact platform, I mounted a 2.5-8x36 Leupy VX-3 on the Ruger-supplied rings...great compact stalking package.

sc015984fe.jpg


FH
 
I've had a couple in years past a 22-250 and 270 neither were tack drivers but both were respectable. If I recall the 250 would group about 3/4" and the 270 was about 1 1/4". I know this from my past that a small rubber O ring under the forearm screw made a big difference, and never over tightened.
 
I had a Ruger # 1 in .308 a few years ago. Initially, it took some work, but after working on the forearm a bit, I got really good cold-bore hunting accuracy out of it. What I mean is, I could put the first shot in practically the same hole every time; the second shot was almost always touching. Once I found a good load, I got 3-shot groups that were < 1".

I loved that rifle and wish I still had it, but I have come to believe that the #1 (at least in the standard-weight barrels) are best used as purely hunting rifles. When you go expecting to take only one or two shots, they're perfect. They point well, carry well, and weigh just enough to be steady off-hand. However, I wouldn't want one for a precision target rifle. I've never shot one of the Internationals, but I understand their barrels are especially thin, so they probably have the same issue, only somewhat exaggerated. Having said that, I will almost certainly buy another # 1 the next time I need a hunting rifle. I love 'em.
 
My father and I both have #1V's in 22-250 Rem... Mine shoots 1/2 inch five shot groups, his prints groups around 3/4"... Both have Leupold 6.5-20x50mm Long Range scopes on them.. His has a trigger job, mine does not.. No other modifications were performed to either gun.. The slim accuracy advantage mine holds is definitely the rifle and not the shooter...

My rifle is an early #1 I bought from a friend who bought it new... My fathers is early 90's production.. We got lucky in both cases...

The funny thing about my rifle is that I bought it with the understanding that it did not shoot well... The original owner (stubborn old fart) refused to try anything other than 55 grain bullets... I ran some 50s through it and it print groups under an inch right away.... The best groups are with the Hornady Superperformance 50 grainers at 4000FPS..
 
Occasionally, my Ruger No. 1 in .22 Hornet will shoot a respectable five shot 100 yard group with handloads but I have worked on the forend hangar and it has a Keplinger single set trigger.

127.jpg
 
As mentioned, it isn't cartridge specific as much as it appears to be luck of the draw. I own a 45-70 Government No. 1 that is border line hunting to match accurate. It is a great rifle.

My buddy owns a .375 H&H and it is accurate as hell too.

With the No. 1, I think it can just be really hit or miss. Seems like their are a lot more hits than misses though.
 
interesting, from all the hoo-hawing I used to hear about NO1s having horrible accuracy with very few actually having usable accuracy, it seems to be quite the reverse.
 
My brother had a tropical in .375 h&h that shot 3 into an inch from the bench, usually accompanied with a bloody cut above the eye, I had a #1 AB that shot cast bullets (5) into an inch. A friend relieved the would from around the barrel and I believe bedded the front of the reciever ...anyway it helped.
 
I accidentally discovered that my 30-06 #1 really likes 110 grain Sierra varmit bullets. One hole 5 shot groups at 100. The 168's that I worked up are in the MOA range. I have inserted an O ring in the hanger to float the handguard and it shoots best with the rest under the receiver.
 
I understand the Ruger made some #1s for Cabels 50th anniversary. One caliber is the 300 H&H. Ive been thinking about that one but at $1500 or so--no.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top