Wondering if anyone had expereince with the Ruger NO.1 or any other falling block for accuracy shooting.

I would like to remove many gopohers from the pasture was think of a .223 cal in this action.

1.Any thoughts on accuracy compared to bolts
actions
2..223 as a caliber for 150-300 yards
3. Any after market modifications

Thanks in advance

Pat

I have a Ruger #1 in 223 and have no complaints about it what so ever, it should fit your needs very nicely. As far as resale value I would guess it will hold it's value as well as any other rifle if well taken care of.

I had a Ruger #1 in 243 and it sucked! It literally shot 4-6 inch patterns at 100 yards. I have heard of lots of number ones that won't shoot. I have also heard of a lot that will. But for $650 why take the gamble? If you are interested in a single shot, check out the New England Handi Rifle. It will run you about $200 and shoots all day long.

I have heard so many negeative aspects to the Ruger 1 that I have decided to pass and opt either for Tikka or Savage Bolt action in a .223. Major problem with the the Ruger 1 is the vertical stringing

FYI If the first three digits are 133 or above it will prodably shoot. 132 and lower have a different trigger spring hanger. 338vt
p.s. My 223 1V will shoot almost anything under 1/2 inch.
338vt

Had a No. 1 in .223 that I set back to minimize the barrel to breach block clearance and also made it a .223 AI. I was lucky that it shot well. Like a fool I sold it to a gunsmith friend and he has been shooting sage rats with it for six years now. There are cures for the accuracy problems with No.1's. If you get one that won't shoot and you get so mad at it that you want to sell it cheap, email me.

My theory on guns...you can make a good gun shoot great, but you cannot make a bad gun shoot good. Sad part is you cannot take guns for a test ride.

I have a couple of #1's and they all are very accurate, I also have a H&R Ultra varmint in .223 and it is a great little tack driver. 22" bull barrel but carries like a winchester 30-30.

I believe you can get almost all #1's to shoot well with a bit to tuning. I have really enjoyed tinkering with my #1V in 22-250. It now shoots almost as well as my heavy barreled Sakos.
I hate having a buddy pick up a rifle that belongs to me and shoot it better than I do. I have not had that happen with my #1 yet. I believe the #1 is not as easy to shoot as a typical varmint rifle.
If you want an artical from Rifle magazine on the Ruger #1 and accuracy, PM me with your email addy and I can send the 7 page article to you

Ruger used to oustsource their barrels; today they make their own.

I have had better luck with No1's than M77s, but I have limited experience with both. One advantage of the No.1 is that you can seat the bullets out as far as you need to, since there is no magazine.

Nice looking rifle as well.

Dnadoc: I suggest you consider the Ruger #1-B in calibers 22 Hornet or 218 Bee also! I have one of each of these nifty little Rifles and I love them! They are not perfect Rifles though as they shoot only fairly (the 218 Bee does .650"+ groups [5 shots at 100 yards!] and the 22 Hornet now shoots .750"+ [5 shot groups at 100 yards]) on good condition calm days. They are both equipped with Leupold 6x18 variable scopes. They are fine little Gopher (and Prairie Dog) getters!
I love the looks and feel of the Ruger #1-B's and have owned many of them. They are more difficult to obtain fine accuracy with than many bolt action Rifles though as you may be aware.
My first Ruger #1-B Rifle was in caliber 6mm Remington and the serial number was 1,300! So I have been a fan (reluctantly at times!) since about day one of the #1's!
I suggest this!
Find a Ruger #1-B in either 22 Hornet or 218 Bee but make sure it has better than average wood! The #1's with excellent wood resell VERY easily! Should you find the need! I have found this out over the decades having owned at least 20 of them - I presently own 6 or 7 of them.
I have two friends that took perfectly good Ruger #1-B's in caliber 223 Remington and had the barrels set back and then rechambered to 221 Remington Fireball! They both shoot very well and are excellent Gopher guns!
The reason for the 22 Hornet or 218 Bee caliber choice (for me at least) is the lack of recoil and the slow barrel heat up along with more economical reloading. Ruger triggers are also hit or miss but can be smithed or replaced if need be!
Good luck with whichever Gopher gun you choose!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

A buddy and I both bought #1's in 218 Bee a few years back. Both shoot under an inch most of the time. My buddy also owns one that he recently punched to K Hornet. It shot just fine, but he had to be different. It shoots/shot very well in both chamberings, the K gives it that little extra zip and helps brass life. Both are the "133" versions mentioned by 338vt.

Thanks to all

Well I bit the bullet and found a wonderful Model 1 B in my family's collection in Arizona. Caliber is .223.

I have a master gunsmith who is an expert in Falling Blocks up here in Reno and will help me regulate the Falling Block. He says they are tempermental but can be made to dust any high desert ground rat will proper barrel alignment.

dnadoc: My experience is very similar to VarmintGuys. Had a slew still have a few. Accuracy without luck or a good smith is usually only ho hum. For my purposes I have never had a factory No.1 that shot good enough to be a prairie dog gun. Usually the forearm bedding is blamed and with good reason but blame also is in the poor quality barrels sometimes encountered. The guns also suffer from slow hammer fall. You will find that the underlevers are not so handy shooting off bags. Still I like the short overall length, the feel , and the looks. I've had several custom jobs done and for the most part been happy with those. Try yours out and get it fixed by a good smith experienced with No.1s. You will like it.