Back in February of this year, the following was posted on the single-shot forum concerning a set of five limited-edition Ruger No. 1s:

“Ruger will release a set of five new No 1's. Every six months, one will be shipped in a different caliber. If you sign up for the set you get matching serial numbers. The serial numbers have not been reserved. This run is limited to 250 sets. When they have been sold all 250 names go into a hat and they are drawn so everyone has a chance at serial No. 1 for his set. The rifles are matte with circassian walnut. The calibers are 375HH, 400-450 3 inch, 300 HH, 7x57mm and 450 Nitro Express.â€

Does anyone have an update on that special Ruger No. 1 program?

What I have been able to learn (although I’m not even sure if this is the same program) is that Ruger is now offering a Craig Boddington series of Ruger No. 1s through the gun distributor Lipsey’s. Here’s the Ruger website link:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=11332&return=Y

And here is the Lipsey’s link:

http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=RU1SLION&items=exclusives

This afternoon I actually had the opportunity to inspect one of these Ruger No. 1 Medium Sporter Craig Boddington “Lion†Series Rifles (.375 Ruger) at my local gun shop. Very nice rifle! Excellent wood and checkering, and nicely finished overall. It also features very good express sights that are nearly identical to those on the Ruger Hawkeye African. Price was around $1200, as I recall. Unfortunately, the individual at the dealership who knew all about this special Ruger series was not in today.

So, does anyone out there know any more about this special Ruger No. 1 Craig Boddington rifle series? Specifically, what other CHAMBERINGS will be offered? And WHEN the other chamberings will be available?

This seems like a very classy upgrade on an already classy single-shot rifle.

Yeah, but it won't touch a Dakota. They sponsored Boddington before he went with Ruger. I bet he really misses those Dakotas, now that he's shooting Rugers...

Actually, he's shooting a brand new Heym 450/400 3 inch!

I don't blame the man for taking any sponsorship he can get. I mean, why not? It's not like he is peddling junk.

Also, from the perspective of a viewer, I like to see hunters like Boddington use different rifles. It's much more interesting and representative of the hunting fraternity as a whole.

Landrum

I didn't say I blamed him. I said I bet he missed the Dakotas. We all fully realize that money talks, I would suppose...

And I haven't seen the Heym. Last one or two of his programs I saw he was shooting a Ruger.

Yes, Craig is a SUPER guy, Dakota rifles are GREAT and Ruger bolt-action rifles are OK...but does anyone know about these special-edition Ruger No. 1s?

Not offhand, but I'd bet if you called them up they'd give you all the info you need...

Nice looking rifles. However, while I really like the 375 Ruger round in a bolt, I think the 375H&H would have made a better "Classic" offering in these limited editions. I particularly like the idea of a 450-400 offering when it comes out

It looks like it is the same program, but I had trouble finding much on the internet. For the series Ruger will use the 375 ruger not the H & H, big surprise.

Serial number one of the Lion series sold for $1800.00 on Gunbroker.

What is real interesting is Craig wrote in "Buffalo!" he does not recommend using a single shot for cape buffalo hunting. It is on page 199.

I have examined the .375 Ruger, but I'm holding out for .300 H&H, because I have nothing between .300 Savage and 9,3x62.