I've got ahold of another Ruger # 1 the other day at a bargain. I really like everything about the # 1 but the wimpy short barrel. It shoots okay. At 100 yards a little over MOA but that is with letting the barrel cool down a good 2 minutes between shots. That's fine but the truth of it is that I would like to modify this thing and put a heavier barrel on it. I'd still like the iron sight(s) that are on most of my rifles and would like to incorporate this into my battle plan. The possibility of an octagon barrel on this project is not totally out of the picture BUT does that mean I'm looking at a new forearm instead of wallowing out the one presently on it? And, what am I looking at if and when I do this as far as head spacing and whatever with the new barrel? Any recommendation on what would make a nice looking combination? I do want to leave it in the same caliber-30.06. When contemplations such as this keep one from sleeping at nite is it time to (1) seek professional help, (2) read a good gunsmithing book, or (3) search for an "All-Night Gunsmithing" in the Yellow Pages? And as always, all help appreciated. Mike

You may have a 1A which is my favorite #1. Of course a smith can turn that into almost anything but Ruger makes #1's with heavier barrels. If it has the Alex Henry forend there may not be enough wood to accomidate a wider barrel nor may it look all that good due to the stock length.



How long is the barrel on that rifle?



What the heck it's only money.



On the practical side one could fiddle with that rifle as is. I have one in 30-06 and it's a MOA rifle and it stays sighted in as well. I have hunted with it for 35 years now. It's one of my favorites.



Browning made up some 1885 single shots with octagon barrels.

Barrel length on the Ruger #1 is 21 inches from where the falling block meets the rear of the chamber. Or thereabouts. As far as the Alex Henry stock, it has the groove on the front of the forearm. Is that the Alex Henry stock? As far as the octagonal barrel goes again it is only a thought that I entertained as something that might look nice on the heavy Ruger frame. Then again, it might look like shit. There was a post sometime back about everyone here on AR posting the calibers and makes of rifles people had traded off, sold, gotten rid of, stolen, or lost that they wish they still had. You mention the Browning 1885. I had one. Sold it for a song to someone in Oregon or Washington. I've been kicking myself in the butt ever since. It would lay bullets on top of each other at 100 yards and looked nice too. I wanted a Ruger # 1 instead. I liked the back end of the Ruger more than I like the octagan barrrel of the Browning. What I would prefer is to have the Ruger back end with the Browning front end (with iron sight/s) and have the accuracy of the Browning 1885. You might say I want my cake and eat it too.

Fourtails,
My friend Mark Stratton specializes in a lot of things but the two that come to mind first are octagon barrels and Ruger #1's. He has done a large number of them and they look great. Here is his web site. Browse the pictures in there.

Yes FT, you have a #1A w/ the AH forend. The #1 looks great w/ an octagone bbl. I have a #4 bbl. on one of mine w/ the AH forend & it looks fine. That rifle is in .338x74Keith. Single shots just scream for really long rounds that are impractical for a bolt gun. So if you didn't want to leave it an 06, a .300H7H would be very classy.

Thanks again guys. I'll be contacting Mark Stratton for availability on when I can send it his direction. Good shooting! Mike

As long as your going to send it for work you might as well make a list of things to be done.

The first thing I would have done to one of the newer #1's is to have the trigger replaced. I think the Kepplinger is the best but lets discuss that. Next would be to have the hammer lightened.

I would have these things done before any barrel work. There are other things to look after if one is going to really refine the rifle. Some have the safety modified so an ejected case does not catch on it. Others make sure the mount base clears the receiver.