I always liked the Ruger No.1 but have read so much on the accuracy issues with the finicky forearms ,forearm hangers, adding washers, bedding issues, butt stock bedding, ugly wood on the stocks etc. etc..
I have kind of stayed away, not wanting to deal with problems on a new gun.

I am use to my Sako bolt actions and shooting .5-.8” groups @100yds.

I have been looking at new No. 1’s in 6.5 Creedmoor, .250 Savage , .223 , for a fun low recoil , primarily range gun.

Are there too many issues with the No.1? Would it just be best to pick up another bolt gun?

I've owned 4 and still have 1 Ruger #1. None have had accuracy issues and all were at least sub MOA @ 100y. My #1B in 280rem will be the last firearm I get rid of.

I don't think you can go wrong with trying the #1. I still want one of the 28" barrel .257 Weatherby rifles...

If you like the No. 1, buy one. Of the cartridges you mention, I think a No. 1A in 6.5 Creedmoor would be a wonderful little rifle, though I am a fan of the .250 Savage, as well. If it is a new one, I bet you will be able to get almost any No. 1 to shoot MOA or better. I have owned 11 of them over the years (.243, .257 Roberts, .25-06, 7x57, .280, .30-40 Krag, .30-06, .338 Winchester, .357 Magnum, .375 H&H x2) and still have the .280. I have been able to get all of them to shoot decently with a little playing with loads, and in one case about 10 minutes of work on the forend.

Buy 10

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:
“Buy 10

”

BWY - that’s an intellectual comment.

Sure you do they are a nice rifle.

single shots can become addictive -they have a certain grace that is lacking in any repeater - worrying about accuracy with one is a bit like worrying you might get covid19 - that being said i have at least 2 dozen that will group well under an inch and some that will consistently do half inch

Only have 1 in 7x57 - Mannlicher stocked version. Just about the best handling rifle I own.

Ruger is raising the price on them every year, but there are plenty out there, try one, you'll like it & Lipseys has offered them in some really great old cartridges the last few years.

If you get some #1s; get them in large calibers; the varmint calibers are not ideal for them. I know, some work, but if you stay with hunting calibers, the bigger the better, you will like the #1.
I have owned many of them, never had accuracy issues, but also never owned one under 338.
Crap, just noticed I am in the wrong forum.

I’ve had three.
First one was a 45/70. It was built when Bill Ruger was still alive and was seeing to it that #1’s got decent wood. It was a pretty good shooter right out of the box regardless of what it was fed.
Second was a International in 308. After more than a year of fiddling with it between myself and two different gunsmiths, it was written off as a lost cause.
Third was a 375 H&H which I purchased after it had been restocked and tuned. I don’t remember who the smith was that did the work but it was a phenomenal rifle in all respects. If it was a smaller caliber it would’ve been one I kept till I died. I still have the occasional twinge of regret over selling that one.

NECG does a beautiful job on converting them to 20 gauge rifled slug guns. My youngest son handled one at DSC a couple years back and hasn’t stopped talking about it since. There’s no practical reason for him to have it, but I certainly understand the pull.

I say buy one but avoid the international model.

I own three at the moment: a 6.5x55 1A (Lipsey's), .250-3000 1A (custom barrel), and a .223 1B. All are sub-MOA capable. Don't hesitate over a #1, if single shots are your cup of tea.

I've had good luck. I had a stainless 45-70 I traded away, but it was beautiful and accurate. I still have an International/Mannlicher stocked 270. Beautiful and accurate. Handles great, too.

It sounds like most of you guys have better luck than I've had!

I've only had a couple of them (243 and 270) and neither was what I'd like for stellar accuracy.

Good enough? I suppose. About 1-1.5"
Stellar? Not really but we all have our own pain threshold.

I did build a big one in 30-378 Wby but I'll blame the gunsmith for putting a tube on with the wrong twist. The bullets would strike sideways about 75% of the time. This one doesn't really count against the #1.

I still own the 243 and it's a wonderful rifle buy accuracy is just okay.

Zeke

I’ve had four of them, a #1V in 223, two #1V in 22PPC and a #1B in 22 hornet. Accuracy was marginal to poor in all of them. I went through a ton of money in various forend floating schemes, trigger jobs, custom replacement triggers, etc. great guns to look at, but mine were not accurate.
I know what you’re thinking, but I have a number of Sako, Remington, and Anschutz rifles that shoot sub 1” and some around 1/2”. So, I think the problem is not the guy pulling the trigger.

I only have one, which is a .45-70 made in 2009. I have found it to be perfectly accurate for me, but then it does recoil somewhat.

Are accuracy expectations reduced as the calibre gets bigger? My .222 Tikka is also very accurate, but more pleasant to fire off a benchrest....

Accuracy for the smaller bores on all Rugers was less than AR members are accustomed to; they used Wilson barrels until about 1990; Of ten Wilsons, 5 would shoot fine, 3 would shoot ok and two would not hit a barn; quality control was poor, but the barrels were very cheap. In about 1990 Ruger started hammer forging their own barrels and quality improved. On 77s too.
The problem comes in on a small caliber where people expect sub moa results, whereas a 1.25 MOA 45-70 or 458 is not bad.
Perspective.
What df found was typical; do not try to compare a #1, especially an early one, to a bolt action; apples and oranges.
So, it depends on the vintage of your rifle, and the caliber, as to whether you will be happy with the accuracy. And why I say that #1s are best used in large calibers.
So, this thread has migrated from small calibers to talking about the Ruger #1; yes, you want a #1; No, you do not want it in a varmint caliber. Especially an early one, with the nice wood.
I buy the ones rejected by guys who don't think they shoot well enough, and rebarrel them to something worth while. You know what I mean.

quote:

Are there too many issues with the No.1? Would it just be best to pick up another bolt gun?

I've owned five Ruger rifles (one of them a #1) and will never again own another one,

That said, I've had good success with the Viqueros and would recommend them as among the best SAA handguns available.

I own, and have owned, at least a dozen of them, 77s and #1s; no issues with any of them. They all performed perfectly in the field. Were they all sub MOA; no. Don't need to be.
Now, the newer ones will shoot along side anything.
What were your issues?

# 1s (and # 3s) were never target rifles and never will be. They weren't designed that way.

quote:

Originally posted by 4WD:
I always liked the Ruger No.1 but have read so much on the accuracy issues with the finicky forearms ,forearm hangers, adding washers, bedding issues, butt stock bedding, ugly wood on the stocks etc. etc..
I have kind of stayed away, not wanting to deal with problems on a new gun.

I am use to my Sako bolt actions and shooting .5-.8” groups @100yds.

I have been looking at new No. 1’s in 6.5 Creedmoor, .250 Savage , .223 , for a fun low recoil , primarily range gun.

Are there too many issues with the No.1? Would it just be best to pick up another bolt gun?

I think a lot accuracy issues were shit barrels Ruger had for some time and that was a fair while ago in the past.

But if you want an all out accuracy rifle in my opinion the Ruger #1 is not a good starting point.

Glassing that Alex Haley forend will help.

MM, read my post about Wilson barrels, used by Ruger until 1990. . Bottom line, #1s are NOT target rifles, as stated above. They are Hunting Rifles.
4D; there are NO issues with a Ruger #1 as long as you realize the above. They are perfect hunting rifles, as designed. They are not sold or promoted as target rifles.
If you want a guaranteed .5 moa rifle, GET a bolt action! Many guys do not realize that and bad mouth Rugers, unwarranted.
BTW, the fore arm does not even need to touch the barrel if you don't want it to; it can be floated on the hanger. It does not attached to the barrel in any way. Just fyi. I use them as is.

I presently have two..A Hollowell spec. fwt, with a 24 inch barrel (250 made) in 250-3000 and it shoots 3/4" groups consistently for 3 shots and almost that with 5 shots..

I have and early no. 1-S in .338 that is the one most accurate rifle Ive ever owned, and Ive owned a lot of rifles in my day..Its capable of bench rest competition, very unusual..

The early red recoil pad guns were made with inferior barrels and as a result some didn't shoot well at all, but some did of course..Ive owned a few of those early guns that were in the 2" category, and today I see that as unexceptable, but at the time it was the norm with most factory rifles..

Buy one of the new Ruger no. 1, and I think you will be satisfied, they are so nice to carry, compact and point well, just a nice handy gun for the big game hunter or varmint hunter IMO.

Aw hell, Just buy one of Ray's, they're both for sale! No kidding.

I encourage you to get one- they are great rifles and like many have stated, are not supposed to be target guns. That being said, my 7x57 No. 1A shoots 1" with 175 grain Nosler Partitions and I'm happy with that.

Its an older red pad gun and its the first gun that my boys and I fight over when we go to the range.

Just because its not a "one hole shooter" does not mean that its not a good rifle.

I always wanted a #1, but can't afford it.
so I finally got a single shot from CVA, a SCOUT in 35 Whelen, I haven't tried handloads yet, I found a box or remington at a local store for $30, so I shot them up and it's a decent shooter avg 1.125 MOA 3 shot groups.
so I got the CVA but still want a #1!!!!!!

I will probably sell one and keep the other, and both are exceptionally accurate. I have a .338 and a 250 Savage, both Hollowel or Lipsky special..I swore on my life Id never sell either of them, but guess I would, its a c flaw in my DNA I guess!!

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
I will probably sell one and keep the other, and both are exceptionally accurate. I have a .338 and a 250 Savage, both Hollowel or Lipsky special..I swore on my life Id never sell either of them, but guess I would, its a charter flaw I guess!!

Ray, didn’t you just get the .250 Savage , 60-90 days ago ? The .250 No.1 doesn’t sound so great if you are already getting rid of it. I am not feeling the love with the Ruger No.1 , although I want to.

I have limited experience with the Ruger # 1 but that has been a very good one. I have a .416 Rigby Tropical that I set up for my son to go to Africa some years ago to hunt Cape Buffalo. I mounted a good Ziess scope on it and with Northfork 370 grain bullets both soft and solid it has super accuracy. It also has gorgeous Red Walnut that would catch the eye of the most particular riflemen. It has a Muzzle brake that makes it OK to shoot. This one rifle is all I have to go by, just wanted to say my part. Good shooting.

Personally I would be frustrated with 1” or larger groups with a .223, .250 Savage , 6.5 Creedmore. I know No.1’s are not target guns but these rounds except for the .223 are combination varmint / deer rounds.

Both of my #1s are great, I guarrentee sub 1" average. I decided I just din't need to single shots, and a duplication of calibes, so would sell one, keep the other..

Don't try to make since out of my buying and selling or trading guns, it will make you grow old in a hurry!! I get bored and or change my mind and down the road they go. I have a precious few that have made it so far, plus my hand me downs from dad and grandpaw, they stay home.

Oh yes you need one or three or four!!

I've had several but I'm down to one right now, a 220 Swift built in 2015.

It has a nice looking stick of wood on it and shoots sub MOA.

It's a keeper.

Ive reached the age wherein I sell most of my guns as they are too time consuming and would hate to leave my dear one with that mess, but what am I going t do with all that money, I have too many horses!! Hmmmm guess I'll just buy a bunch of guns!!

Too many horses and too many guns...

Sorry Ray, I don't see the problem.

I have many Ruger No. 1s. Really like them. Mostly 35 Whelens (7), 9.3x74R (3), 450/400 (4), and 450NE (2). The rest are small bores.

I picked up two more last week, a Boddington 300 H&H, and a Lipsey's .22 Hornet.

I think I'm going to like this Hornet. It's case colored in the receiver, lever and grip cap, and jeweled in the falling block and lever release. Wood is great. I shot a 3/4" group at 50 yards with the open sights. No complaints in the accuracy dept. here!

I wonder what she'll do with a scope.

I should add, I have no older No.1s with the red pads and gorgeous wood with Wilson barrels, so I've never come across a 'bad' shooter. Yet...

A friend tells me that Ruger is phasing out the @ 1. True? I so, might be worthwhile picking one up.

quote:

Originally posted by surefire7:
Too many horses and too many guns...

Sorry Ray, I don't see the problem.

Can be when one is old

The only thing that put me off is that the rifles simple elegance belies a complicated action that appears to have more parts than a Swiss watch.
I like the rifle’s looks but would not want to take it a part.

I bought a Ruger No. 1 barreled action (45/70) from a friend about 18 months ago. The metal work was done (Jard trigger, forend hanger, surface ground, 25" Brux .257 barrel fitted and chambered to .257 Roberts) then sent to my friend Gary Goudy with one of my better English blanks. It is at Pete Mazur's shop right now for metal finishing. I hope to have it in time to hunt Coues deer here this coming season.

Anyone need a high quality .45-70 barrel for No. 1?