well heck, I had a chance at a win M70 about 3 months ago, but the asking price was too high and the gun had a few problems, but I really like the no 1 as far as safety and handling goes-I have a ruger #3 in 223 caliber which I plan to use as a starting/educating gun and I know the 223 will do the job on most whitetails if bullet placement is precise and the distance is not too far. But a little larger caliber I feel will lend itself to greater chances at success and increase the shooters range significantly. Plus the #1 is basically the same gun as the #3 which decreases the chances for user error. I remember the first time I went from my NEF single shot to my 243 bolt action-I started getting sloppy with my shots 'cause heck I got 3 more rounds in there!-made a bad shot on one, and missed several others before I learned that you really need to make the first shot count (young and stupid). I can also remember not working the action right and screwing up my second shots 'cause I just was not used to working the dang bolt-again young and stupid and lack of familiarity with the gun. So it seems to me that a nice, natural progression would be to go from a #3 to a Ruger #1.
Sorry for all the rambling, it is a little late. Just so ya'll have some insite into my train of thought. Also, the little girl just turned 1, so there is no real hurry on this maybe I'm just looking for another gun to work on!

Thanks for all the great responses and keep 'em comming!

Dave

lubbockdave,

If the #1 was for sale, I would buy it. I saw the first 5 or six targets he shot with it and none were over 3/4". He promised then if he ever let it go, I would get it. Then his wife said I would get it after she was done with it. So suffice to say it is firmly entrenched in this family.



Oldsarge, I missed seeing you at Reno this year. I was tied up at the ACGG show and could not get away. Next year stop down to the Silver Legacy and see me. I also would be more than happy to whittle a new suit of clothes for you rifle. I will tell you something though, a good looking piece of wood and I mean in the $250 range + still looks damn good with battle scars. You are less likely to worry about getting it dinged but she will just look like a grand old rifle ready to do what it was destined for. I have 14 blanks within easy viewing of my computer desk ranging from $250 to $1200 and some of the lower end ones are stunning. All are earmarked for upcoming rifles and that is what has kept me away from here.



Wstrnhuntr makes a good point for the 7X57 as a much more all around rifle. I am sorry to say I only have, hmmm, let me see, 1, 2.... okay I have 3 of those too. Great round, I shot my Kudu with it in Africa, several times mind you before it went down but it did. My daughter used it on a Zebra and she hit it with a second shot but it was not necessary. We were using 150 gr Nosler partitions.

257 roberts foe #1 is not listed in the 2004 riger catalog.i have only seen 1 and it shoots well with hand loads