I'd like to get a No. 1 and keep it with open sights -- so here's a question or two:

-- Are there peep sights available for a No.1?

-- What open sight options exist for the No.1?

-- What calibers would you suggest for the open-sighted No. 1? (I'd be using it on anything from pronghorn to elk.)

well, someone said you can never be wrong with a 30-06. there is a peep sight made that installs on the ruger rib in the scope mount cuts. another alternative is get a williams peep for a flat sided receiver and drill and tap the needed holes.

NECG peep for #1/77. $85 from the factory.

quote:

Originally posted by Blank:
NECG peep for #1/77. $85 from the factory.

+1. That sight is a dandy. However I needed a taller front bead on mine. Tom.

ditto what Tom said.

I used the NECG peep sight briefly, but I didn't like it for hunting. The apertures were all too small for me, they too dark to see well. I never did use the sight to hunt with, these are just observations from sighting my rifle in. In fact, I have the sight for sale in the classified section if you are interested Ruger #1 NECG peep sight.

I have one of the NECG's that I'm going to use on my No 1 375 flanged...but I'm thinking about using it without the aperture. Anyone else done that?

So what calibers do you like for open-sighted, in-production No. 1's?

JGH

ACRecurve,

Unfortunately you cannot use the NECG peep sight with the aperture installed; it is used to lock the elevation adjustment. What I have done is to purchase a .150" Williams Twilight aperture to get the maximum light. You will need to extend the threads a few turns to get the Williams aperture to seat far enough to lock the elevation, but .150 aperture lets in considerbly more light than the .125 and .093 that come stock with the sight.

Jesse

Thanks for the tip, Jesse. I just drilled the smaller aperture to 0.150"...it sure lets a lot more light in than the 0.125! I think I'll drill the 0.125" aperture out to 0.150", too...then I'll have a spare!

Generally, for hunting purposes, merely unscrewing and removing the screw-in aperture will result in a hole just about the right diameter for most eyes. You probably won't even notice the part that has the threaded hole in it when aiming.

Just look thru this hole and place the bead on the target where you want the bullet to strike, and squeeze! This gives the fastest sighting attainable with iron sights, since there is no lining up of front & rear sights........

Still ... what calibers do you guys like for open-sighted No. 1s?

My personal favorite is the .405 Winchester, probably because I own one.

Jesse

I currently have a 405,450/400 and a 9.3x74r. Like all three. Have also owned a 375H&H,a 243 and a 30-06 and liked them also. I believe either the 9.3 or the 450/400 would be my favorites and it would be a tossup to which one of those I favored. I don't mind the factory open sights. Might change the front for a flourescent though. Have never tried the NECG peep but it might also be nice to try.

Have a 45/70 with a Williams mounted on drilled and tapped holds on the side like Max(hm2) describes. Works pretty well, the peep isn't too small. Does stick out just a bit more than optimum.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm not a real recoil junkie. Perhaps a .30-06 would be the best ... versitile, and not much on the recoil side.

Then again, that 9.3 would likely put a deer down right quick like.

Deertick,

A factory loaded 45/70 doesn't have much more recoil than a heavy 30-06. Or you can load it up if you prefer at some point. Plenty good to 150 yards which is enough for open sights I think. Will put a deer down quite well too. Nothing wrong with a 9.3 either. No reason to argue with a 30-06 as it might well be the most widely useful cartridge made. Then again, not sure where the calibers not good in a #1 are unless it is once you pass the power level of a 375 H&H.

quote:

Originally posted by Deertick:
Still ... what calibers do you guys like for open-sighted No. 1s?

The one I'm working on presently is a 375 H&H flanged mag. Were I to build another for use with iron sights, then it would be a 450/400 3".

How's the recoil in that .375?

I'm not a recoil-lover, but every gun is different -- stock construction, etc.

Very similar to a 375 H&H belted mag. It weighs just over 9 lbs with the 28" bbl. I'm not a recoil lover either...so I may put a Dead Mule in the buttstock.

quote:

Originally posted by Deertick:
I'd like to get a No. 1 and keep it with open sights -- so here's a question or two:

-- Are there peep sights available for a No.1?

-- What open sight options exist for the No.1?

-- What calibers would you suggest for the open-sighted No. 1? (I'd be using it on anything from pronghorn to elk.)

It really depends if it's going to be more pronghorn or elk in the sights and at what range.
My No. 1 I put together for Africa and it's .458 Lott with Express Sights with leafs tuned to 50, 75, and 125 yards with my current loadings and a quick release 2.5x scope mounting system.

For antelope you're talking a completely different beast than for Elk or Africa. For the range of animals you are hunting, I'd likely go something in the .300 WinMag or .270 or derivative range of cartridges, .30-06 wouldn't be bad. Is this going to be a factory chambered rifle or are you going to barrel or have it barreled? For an all arounder it's hard to beat a three seven five. I'd be inclined to set it up with optional optical capabilities of a quick release nature to go along with whatever irons you find suit you. 3-9 is a lot nicer than irons on a far away antelope or sheep, at least with my middle aged eyes.

You have to figure out what you are most likely to hunt and at what ranges, what terrain, before you start answering the more specific questions. As to "recoil" I'm pretty indifferent to it so it's not an issue with anything but the .577NE and up rifles. I'd shoot an ought six off my scrotum on a bet and I've never noticed the .375 or .45-70 to be hard kickers.

You can never go wrong with the 30-06 and its a much better killer than any 45-70 and I have used both pretty extensively..

A good shallow V in the existing dovetail on the quarter rif would be a good choice. You can also drill and tap a flat sided Receiver sight on the number 1 and that works very well indeed.

You have a lot of sight options, shop around and pick one you like.

tom,
Would you post a pic. of your rifle, would like to see the express sight. I have a 416 Rem. currently at the gunsmith trying to resolve this rear sight problem. I recently shot a group with 400 grain Hornady soft points and H4895 that was quit a surprise. I need to retest before I get two excited. From my limited time with the No.1 they are a great gun. The next one will be in 30-06.

Install a NECG express sight in the Ruger quarter rib, but keep in mind that rib is plenty hard, and you may want to grind it as opposed to cut it..those express sights come in 1,2, and 3 leaf configurations. you could just use the one standing adjustable in the Ruger rib with very little work...

I am considering installing one of Jim wisners adjustable M-70 screw gizzie old .375 H&H sights minus the base in a quarter rib on the 404 I am building on one of Butch Searcys old big Mauser actions..I think I can make that one work and have a fully adjustablel sight in a quarter rib...

I installed a NECG Masterpiece sight just in front of the quarter rib on my .416 No. 1. It has held zero from day one, I also put a NECG white bead in the front. I am very pleased with the sight picture.

You can see it somewhat in this video.

http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q135/Mike70560/?acti...2008-08-09416Rem.flv

Another option is to just tweak the factory sights which is what I did on my M77 35 Whelen. The front sourdough is from NECG and the rear came from a local 'smith's junk box but could easily be made. The fixed rear blade from newer CZ's will work as well. The square sight picture is very accurate and quick for me to line up as well.