I am looking at building a custom Ruger No. 1 big bore rifle. I have read that all No. 1 actions are identical except for the extractor. Can someone confirm this? If not, what are the differences? Thanks!

Hi,

I believe you are correct. The Number 3 the same with the exception being absent the unlatching lever. I have a Number 3 on which I replaced the lever with a Savage 99 lever. Very handy for quick reloading, it gives your trigger hand a purchase on the rifle after the shot allowing the off hand to re-charge the chamber without dropping the butt from your shoulder.

Luck with your build,

Stephen

I have been told the Tropical models have a larger barrel the hammer spring / strut assembly under the barrel is lowered slightly to allow for the barrel. Nothing that can't be changed if wanted.

what caliber are you thinking about. Without major modifications a 500 Jeffery is about as large as you can/would want to go. Mine is a 450NE and that is plenty of gun, especially when I hot rod the loads.

For some strange reason got in the same program of converting No.1's and 3's to different calibers, on my third one now, and other than the extractor, not much else required. Had one in 458Lott and sold it, should have kept it, but if you want the biggest and baddest that would be it. Can always drop back down to the 458WinMag. Not that expensive to load for and for plinking those big lead bullets or the Rem. 405 jacketed bullets work fine.

I bought a complete selection of ejectors from Ruger when I first started fooling with them. Still have them all. I have never found a conversion that didn't work with the original extractor. The design they use where the extractor swings around and back in by spring seems to self adjust to about anything. If you line a selection up, they all seem very, very similar. Truth is, I started to change a couple but none of them would fit without a lot of work. I ended up trying the original, and all have worked great. Truth is, Number 1's seem to have a ot of hand fitting, and parts don't seem to just drop in.

sjmci,

Not sure if this will be of help but, here are the various models of No.1 rifles....


No.1-A Light Sporter (22 inch barrel, Alexander Henry forearm),
No.1-S Medium Sporter (26 inch barrel, Alexander Henry forearm),
No.1-B Standard Rifle (26 inch barrel, semi-beavertail forearm),
No.1-V Varminter (24 inch heavy barrel, semi-beavertail forearm).
No.1-H Tropical Rifle (24” heavy barrel, Alexander Henry forearm, African calibers)
No.1-RSI International (20 inch barrel, Mannlicher-style forearm).
No.K1 Satin finished stainless steel, gray laminated wood stock, black recoil pad.


As to action size /component differences.... I can't say.

Best Regards,
Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Lord Frith:
Hi,

I believe you are correct. The Number 3 the same with the exception being absent the unlatching lever. I have a Number 3 on which I replaced the lever with a Savage 99 lever. Very handy for quick reloading, it gives your trigger hand a purchase on the rifle after the shot allowing the off hand to re-charge the chamber without dropping the butt from your shoulder.

Luck with your build,

Stephen

Got a picture of the No. 3 with a Savage 99 lever, would like to see that.