This is really just for fun, but I’m also curious what the responses will be. As a rifle looney, it’s fun to do these projects.

I have a Ruger No. 1, 6.5 Crredmoor, 28” barrel. This was part of their lineup a few years back. It’s on the heavy side and a 6.5 CM certainly doesn’t need a 28” barrel to perform. But it certainly is pleasant to shoot.

This gun is accurate, but not super accurate. It will group between 3/4” and 1” for five shots at 100 yds. Shortening the barrel might improve accuracy due to increased stiffness. Or, I could rechamber it to one of the big 6.5 cartridges (264 Win Mag, 26 Nosler, 6.5-300 Wby etc) and take advantage of the long barrel.

I do like the 6.5 CM cartridge and would buy another if this gun were rechambered.

So, what option would you select?

Question:
Ruger No. 1b, 28” medium weight barrel. Leave it as is, shorten the barrel, or rechamber?

Choices:
Leave it as it is.
Keep it as a 6.5 Creedmoor, but shorten the barrel.
Keep the barrel length, but rechamber to a bigger 6.5 cartridge.

 

100y are to short to be interesting but under a inch are very nice groups. How big are your 300y groups?

Shortening the barrel from 26" makes a lot of sense for many shooting sports, but there is indeed a trade between barrel length and velocity.

Use this tool to estimate how much velocity is lost for your favorite loads: http://shootersnotes.com/calcu.../velocity-estimator/.

The real metric in the trade is, however, wind drift if one is interested in long range shooting, or bullet terminal velocity if one is looking at medium game hunting.

Use your favorite trajectory calculator to see if either metric makes enough change to make a difference.

One can remove an astounding length of barrel before either metric pops up as significant when the range is 300 yd or less.

If you intend to use it as a deer hunting rifle cut the barrel between 18" and 20". It'll make it easy to carry and the deer will never Know the difference.
If you're shooting paper maybe you're right in thinking the shorter barrel will improve repeatability.
If you're thinking higher velocity for whatever reason. go with the 6.5 X .284 or 6.5-06.
OR keep it the way it is or rechamber it and get a 6.5 Creedmore SCOUT. There is always a need for aother gun until the day you orphan your fire arms.
roger

more powder volume.

6.5 X 57 all the way,, reserve the 6.5-06 reamer for the next go round.

quote:

Originally posted by Nordic2:
100y are to short to be interesting but under a inch are very nice groups. How big are your 300y groups?

Past 100 yds I've only shot at steel gongs, so I can't say. No problem hitting them out to 400 yds though.

quote:

Originally posted by Lamar:
more powder volume.

6.5 X 57 all the way,, reserve the 6.5-06 reamer for the next go round.

I suppose it could be progressively rechambered to longer rounds as the throat wears.

As Ruger #1 get shorter, they lose some of their elegance and balance in my opinion. Also I simply love the hang of the longer barrel and the #1 pays little penalty for a 28" tube. The 6.5 CM certainly doesn't suffer any from it either.

If you shorten the barrel you will still have a heavy barreled rifle for a 6.5 Creedmoor. So, I say leave the barrel at the full 28" and rechamber for a magnum 6.5 cartridge. Then, go buy one of the 22" barreled Ruger 1A Light Sporter models in 6.5 Creedmoor.

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:
If you shorten the barrel you will still have a heavy barreled rifle for a 6.5 Creedmoor. So, I say leave the barrel at the full 28" and rechamber for a magnum 6.5 cartridge. Then, go buy one of the 22" barreled Ruger 1A Light Sporter models in 6.5 Creedmoor.

That's a good point. Ruger did a run of the No. 1 AH (24" A-weight barrel) in 6.5 CM. They were popular though and are now hard to find. On the other hand, I've got an AH in 25-06, which is not so accurate, and maybe a rebarrel to 6.5 CM would make sense! (Rifle looney logic)

Jeff - I was suggesting the 22" barreled 1As: https://www.ableammo.com/catal...finish-p-122505.html

Not the 24" Lipsey's version without sights: https://ruger.com/products/no1/specSheets/21319.html

But either one of those light barreled models would do. Since the Lipsey's model has no sights the barrel could be cut to 20" to make a nice light carbine.

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:
Jeff - I was suggesting the 22" barreled 1As: https://www.ableammo.com/catal...finish-p-122505.html

Not the 24" Lipsey's version without sights: https://ruger.com/products/no1/specSheets/21319.html

But either one of those light barreled models would do. Since the Lipsey's model has no sights the barrel could be cut to 20" to make a nice light carbine.

I learned something new; didn't know Ruger had ever produced the No. 1a in 6.5 CM.

quote:

Originally posted by Lamar:
more powder volume.

6.5 X 57 all the way,, reserve the 6.5-06 reamer for the next go round.

You realize the 6.5x57 reamer will NOT clean up a 6.5 Creed chamber?

I have to agree with Grenadier, with that long barrel I'd opt for a larger capacity case.

Yes. If I did rechamber it I’d go with a bigger case.