I'm considering the purchase of a Ruger #1 in 458 Lott, and was wondering if the rifle had any known weaknesses or areas that needed correction. I've read that the CZ 550s have stock problems, and I'm curious if the Ruger needs any attention.

Thanks.

Other than just holding one cartridge at a time they are really solid rifles. I don't recall ever having a problem with the #1's i have owned and don't remember hearing about any major failures or problems. It will be quite stiff in the recoil department however.

First thing to do to a Ruger #1 in 458 Lott, is change out that POS "recoil pad" Ruger put on it. Go have a first class 1" pad put on. Either a Decelarater or Limbsaver will do very nicely.

Hog Killer

Just adding a slip-on Limb Saver pad makes the LOP just right for me.

I have one each in .416 Rigby (factory Tropical), .450 NE 3-1/4" (rechambered stainless-laminate .458 Lott), and 500 A-Square (rebarreled another .416 Rigby with 27" McGowen stainless 10" twist that is 1.000" diameter at muzzle).

I can get on paper at 942 yards with the 500 A-Square using a 5 mil holdover and 750 grain A-Max at 2200 fps. That factory walnut stock has not cracked yet, and was only glass bedded at its fit to the action.

The laminate stock does have threaded brass pins x 2 behind the tang, and glass bedding where the butt fits to the action.

I have laser and red-dot sights to try on the .450 NE, for buffalo charges at dusk.

Damn RIP, sounds like a decent collection. Just have a question though...Stopping a buffalo charge with a 450 NE, with a single shot rifle? IMO, I just wouldn't feel comfortable. Than again I'm sure you're handy with that set-up if you feel comfortable with it.
Saw something funny the other day, friend of mine made up a "tactical" rig with a #1, with picatanny rails and the works. Not even set up as a sniper rifle. Think he has too much time on his hands!

Metalsmith,
My 500 A-Square Ruger No.1 has a picatinny rail from Badger, for use with 4 rings to hold the scope (4x-16x mil dot Sightron or 1.5x-5x Leupold). I shoot this rifle off a long bipod from a sit.

I have "hunted" 1800 pound water buffalo on a high-fenced game farm, using the .416 Rigby No.1 and 350 grain Barnes X-bullets at 2700 fps. Same rifle, same day, shot a fallow deer at 342 yards. Scope was a 2.75X Burris Scout scope which I find "useful" on the Ruger No.1, scope pushed far forward as possible in the Ruger rings on the No.1 quarter rib.

I did have a "PH" (my buddy Vip) backing me up at the game farm, so no worries.

Get it, VIP and RIP? Vip and his sidekick Rip.

Addition of about 0.5 lb weight in the butt improves balance and soaks up recoil. Since these rifles came out in 1967 there have been theoretical concerns about ejection problems with non-rimmed cartridges. I've owned 5 #1s including a Lott and never had a case fail to eject and am not aware of it happening to anyone else either. IMO the Ruger #1 is one of the most beautiful mass produced rifles ever made, and no doubt one of the strongest.

Excellent. Sounds like I can have some confidence in it as a nice plinker

other than the stock design kicking like heck, it's a fun gun.

the weight and pad additions should be considered manfatory.

jeffe