Hello all. I'm interested in a .204 Ruger and have always wanted a Ruger Model No. 1 rifle. I was searching Ruger's website and noticed they carry a light sporter model in this caliber. It's the model No. 1-AB. It's short and compact (38") and within a weight range I prefer (7.25lbs), but could anyone attest to it's accuracy, quality etc?

Thanks

You’re not going to outfit a Ruger No. 1 AB in a 20 caliber rifle that weighs less than 8 pounds. The No. 1 is a solid, reliable, quality, attractive hunting rifle, nothing more and nothing less.

#1s as a rule don't have a reputation for great accuracy. However, my #1 A is a tack driver. Most can be made to shoot very nicly from what I have ferd by free floating the barrel.
...tj3006

The #1 Varmint .223 with Berger bullets this week printed a .2" group at 50 yds. That was bullets # 81, 82 and 83 down the barrel since it was bought. My biggest irritation with it is it's shallow Throat. But other than that I was surprised and pleased with its performance. roger

I have had three of them. Beautiful rifles.
Accuracy and ability to hold zero was poor.

I like my Light Sporter in .243Win,and when it was bought I didn`t reload.2" groups were average for factory ammo.I had to learn to reload and it was worth it.It likes fireformed,neck-sized brass and a "dirty" bore.....wire brush only.I can shoot nickle to dime size groups off a good rest @100yds,and can hit a 3" ShootnSee pretty easily off sticks out to 250 yds.I`m well satisfied with it.I`ll only post the non gory head shots.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mickberger:
I like my Light Sporter in .243Win,and when it was bought I didn`t reload.2" groups were average for factory ammo.I had to learn to reload and it was worth it.It likes fireformed,neck-sized brass and a "dirty" bore.....wire brush only.I can shoot nickle to dime size groups off a good rest @100yds,and can hit a 3" ShootnSee pretty easily off sticks out to 250 yds.I`m well satisfied with it.I`ll only post the non gory head shots.

Nice rifle, I’m glad reloading paid off for you. And you posted some very tasteful pictures.

Thanks MickinColo,I`m quite fond of the rifle.250yd,175yd,250yd shots off sticks in the pics.Tasco6-24 mil dot scope....not the most expensive scope but for groundhogs mil dots at 10x are the berries,makes ranging easy.It was wearing a Redfield 4-12x.

So to dthfrmbv,if you like the #1 by all means get one.They are fine if you are a reloader.I never feel under-gunned taking a single shot rifle in the field.You can seat a bullet where it needs to be and never have to worry if it will fit in a magazine.For instance...my 75gr Vmax is seated to 2.750" and just off rifling and 2.710" is supposed to be max OAL.

little different, but i built a #1 204 using a pacnor med. weight barrel. actually if you can find a cheap used #1, the pricetag wasn't that far different. I think I paid something like 4000 for the #1 and about the same for the barreljob. made a really fine PD blaster.

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
little different, but i built a #1 204 using a pacnor med. weight barrel. actually if you can find a cheap used #1, the pricetag wasn't that far different. I think I paid something like 4000 for the #1 and about the same for the barreljob. made a really fine PD blaster.

You paid 4000 for a number 1? Your gunsmith is expensive, too! Have another cup of coffee, Butch.

Thanks everyone. I do not reload to answer Mickberger's question, but I do like your pictures. I really like the compactness of this model with the weight of a varmint rifle after you add a scope and everything.

Do the rings supplied with the rifle allow you to mount a Leupold 50mm AO scope?

I have the ruger # 1-V in the 204 and out of the box this was a very accurate gun, one of the better ones I have had.

Using the 32 gr factory Hornaday ammo I was getting ~ .4 inch @ 100yds with 5 shots. I can't do that every time, but the gun is not the limiting factor.

I think you may need to go up to the next size (high) rings to mount the 50mm, but I am not sure on that. I mounted a 56mm objective and I needed the high rings for it.

mgoodrich,
That is nice to hear about your accuracy with the rifle the way it is (factory) because I do not plan on doing any modifications.

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Dthfrmbv:
mgoodrich,
That is nice to hear about your accuracy with the rifle the way it is (factory) because I do not plan on doing any modifications.

Thanks

Depending on luck, some No. 1 triggers are a bit ugly/crunchy straight out of the box but that's a cheap (or easy if you do it yourself) fix.

quote:

Originally posted by tom`:

quote:

Originally posted by Dthfrmbv:
mgoodrich,
That is nice to hear about your accuracy with the rifle the way it is (factory) because I do not plan on doing any modifications.

Thanks

Depending on luck, some No. 1 triggers are a bit ugly/crunchy straight out of the box but that's a cheap (or easy if you do it yourself) fix.

Tom, I know some No. 1s triggers are a little less than they should be but after all, Ruger makes the No.1. I have never handled a No. 1 that I couldn’t live with the trigger.

But I have had some 77s that had triggers so bad that there was “NFW†it wasn’t going to get replaced.

That is good to hear mgoodrich,and probably reassuring to dthfrmbv.The .204 is an interesting cartridge.

I almost always take the camera into the outdoors/hunting now.That way I am not just telling tales to people.Glad y`all like the pics...they are neat to look at if I don`t say so myself.Some are just way too gory.10/18/03 was one of my better days,5 hogs.A 100yd shot.


The scope pictured is a 42mm bell and close to the barrel.A decent combo.Can`t say for sure about 50mm bell but guess it would be touching.

I think though if you are looking at a #1 and don't want to do any work on it, you are better off looking at the V series.

It doesn't have the scope rib mount that has been a scource of problems for holding zero and stringing shots as the barrel heats up.

I also have a 1V in a 220 swift. It shot okay (1 inch @ 100) but I thought it could do better so I put on a Hicks Accuraczer from Brownells. Got it consistenly at a little over .6 inch then. It wasn't hard to install and allows you to adjust tension on the barrel from the forearm.

Hardest thing to do was drilling a hole in the forearm so you can adjust it.

The triggers on mine are just okay. Not the best I have had, but not too bad.

This being fixed and a bit of stoning or a Kepplinger trigger might make you extra special happy if you get one. I just clean up the factory triggers but the Kep is nice too.

I ordered the #1-AB in .204 today. It was definately a toss up between the V and the AB. I cover a lot of ground when predator hunting and I'm usually sitting in tight quarters, so the shorter length and lighter weight were the deciding factors. It's blued with the walnut stock since you can only get the AB in this configuration. I really liked the laminate stock though. Now, I just hope it's somewhat of a shooter. Merry Christmas to myself.

Thanks

Good for you dthfrmbv...mine feels good slung on my shoulder,you will like it for hunting.

Merry Christmas to you indeed!