Have a mint Ruger #1V with beautiful wood, plus the machinging plans (and capabilities) to convert the tang safety to a side safety so I can add a Soule-type tang sight.

Thinking of either a 38-55 or 40-65 chambering ... in a 1/2 round, 1/2 octagonal barrel, 28 to 32" long. Then adding a Pope or Swiss style buttplate.

Any thoughts on making this into a Schuetzen rifle?

Adding a tang sight to the rear of the Ruger is going to limit you to loading only fixed ammunition.
I have a Ruger #1 in 38/55 that I use for shooting cast bullets "Schutzen" style having the choice of either peep signts or telescope by maching a dovetail 3/8" in the ruger rib between the normal ring position to accept a JGA type target peep at the same time retaining the scope ring mount for the ruger rings.
Schutzen matches are typically shot at 200yds and the JGA has sufficient adjustment for this. You will also be able to use the same rifle for the scoped class.
This arrangement will still allow you to use a breech seating tool to start the projectile into the rifling in front of the case of powder.

Lefty,
For a Schuetzen rifle - do you really need a safety? Seems to me a Schuetzen rifle doesn't really need one. The only disadvantage of the Ruger is the relatively slow locktime, which can be improved a bit by installing a speed hammer and a stronger mainspring. Presume you will also install a Kepplinger set trigger, as the factory trigger usually isn't worth anything...

Thanks BA-Wallace and Martinibelgian for your thoughts !

Yes, I am very familiar with Schuetzen and BPCR shooting, as I'm shooting an original 1873 Ballard #10 in 38-55 right now. But one of these days, I will have to retire it ...

While I like the orginal rifles the best ... most I see are $3K plus, which is not practical for me. The only new rifle that has caught my eye is those made by CPA Corp based on the Stevens 44 1/2 model. Rather than buying a current-made "knock-off" (no intent to criticize them implied) I'm thinking I'd much rather have something "unique", since it won't be "original".

Luckily, my Ruger #1V is the old style that is way more adjustable than those of today; with a little bit of Brownell's "Action Magic II" moly powder for triggers, and a bit of polishing, I have it at just over 2 pounds, this with the extra power hammer spring installed too.

I hear you on the safety ... which is a valid point to consider, I guess I was just thinking where its not an extrernal hammer like the Hi-Walls, etc.

Anyway, thanks again for your thoughts, I'll do some more dreaming and may call EA Brown and Badger Barrels for some quotes. As my Dad always said ... a lot of the fun is in the "dreaming" of what to do!

Cheers and tight groups!

Savage99:

Thanks for the link, what a beautiful action and rifle !