I've been trying to bloody my new Bradshaw 9.3x74 for a couple of weeks now. With no success. Yesterday, I entered a portable blind with both the Bradshaw DR and my Ruger #1 in .300 H&H, scoped with a Zeiss 3x9x40. It was the last day of deer season in GA, and the last doe day. Just before dark, 13 deer moved into the field at about 175 yards. I had to use the scoped Ruger. I picked out the biggest doe (no bucks), quartered shot at left front shoulder. The 180gr TTSX hit the mark, broke the shoulder, and splattered both lungs. Kinda of a messy field dressing.

I got one of the really good #1-S's. Extremely accurate, really nice wood, and a great caliber. #1's vary, but this one is a real keeper.

Nice. I really like the #1. Have a friend with one of the .300 H&H's with really nice wood, and I am always after him to sell it to me.

Glad you had success.

I also have the Ruger #1 in 300 H&H. Mine is one of the Boddington specials with nice wood as well. Topped with a 3x9 Trijicon. I'm also shooting the 180gr TTSX bullet.

By far, that rifle / scope / bullet combo is my favorite non DG hunting rig in the safe. I've taken all kinds of game with it now on 3 continents (well, one was New Zealand) and it continues to impress me every time I take it afield.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Here are a couple of pics of mine in action:

Thanks for sharing those pics, Todd. It's always nice to have a visual to go with an experience. Nice rifle.

Wow nice rifle and great pics. Some stories there i would like to read.

Best wishes, Chris

Based on a recommendation from Todd Williams, I also purchased a Ruger #1 .300 H&H in the Boddington series. Todd sent me his load data for a 180 gr Barnes X triple shock, and that load shoots ½ MOA all day. The only difference between Todd's rifle and mine is that I put a Zeiss Conquest 2.5-10x42 scope with a Z-600 reticle on mine. I shot 5 whitetails in South Carolina with that rifle this year. It is my "go to" rifle.

Used my ruger #1 300H&H on Kudu, Springbok, Gemsbok and Red Hartebeest in 2011.
I took a Black Bear with it in 2013.
Now I plan to take it to NZ in April.

I am catching up with you Todd.

I have a Ruger No.1-S in 300 H&H. I'm using Barnes 168 grain TTSX and Reloader 22. I have taken a couple of Texas whitetail bucks, one cow elk and one black bear. All killed with one shot. It shoots under one moa. I really like it.

200 gr. Nosler Partitions using 4831.

Found the Africa pic's.



not the best photo since there was more than one camera.

Isn't it interesting that the 300H&H fell out of favor at all? What a great old cartridge, but it really needs to be handloaded to get its full potential.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
What a great old cartridge

+1

FWIW - My 27" barreled single shot shoots Nosler factory 300 H&H 180 Grain AccuBond bullets ~100fps faster than a 24" barreled 300 Winchester Magnum shoots Nosler factory 300 Winchester Magnum 180 Grain AccuBond bullets. Nosler catalogs both loads at 2950fps.

Great rifles & great pics! I've owned several Number Ones since they first came out in the late 60s, IMO, Bill Ruger's finest accomplishment. The 300H&H is a natural for this rifle, makes me want to look for an early 30-06 and have it rechambered. Current battery:

I also have the Ruger #1-S in .300 H&H. I have not had a chance to work with it much yet, but so far accuracy has not been what I hoped for. Would those of you who have gotten your rifles to shoot well please post your loads, including case, primer, powder type and weight, and bullet?

I have also considered using one of the Hicks accurizers that Brownell's sell. Have any of you tried them, and how did they work?

Thanks for the help.

Dale

There are probably some liability issues with posting loads but checking the Barnes Manual No. 4, you would probably do OK with 67.5grs of IMR 4831, Winchester cases, Federal 215 primers, and the 180gr TTSX. Properly worked up to of course, checking for pressure signs along the way!

My loads (that I originally got from Todd) come right out of the Barnes manual. I use the Barnes X triple shock (non tipped variety) with IMR 4831, Fed 215 primers and Winchester brass.

Todd and Subsailor:

Thanks for the quick reply. I have the latest Barnes manual and will use it.

Anyone have any experience with the Hicks accurizer?

Thanks.

Dale

Lovely gun. I just got a .300H&H #1 a few weeks ago and love it. Perfect chambering...anything smaller is IMHO kinda silly in the fairly heavy #1...and anything with significant recoil is uncomfortable to shoot in one, at least for me. I love the way they look, especially this incarnation with the Alex Henry forearm and the 26-inch tube, but #1's fit me poorly and pound the snot out of me with cartridges that I find easy to shoot in other guns.

I've had dies and a few boxes of factory ammo in this chambering for years, and always knew that I'd get the appropriate gun eventually. Can't wait to play with it! I hope you enjoy yours.

quote:

Originally posted by Dale:
Todd and Subsailor:

Thanks for the quick reply. I have the latest Barnes manual and will use it.

Anyone have any experience with the Hicks accurizer?

Thanks.

Dale

My pleasure Dale. I'd be interested to hear how that load works in your rifle. Can you give us a report once you have a chance to shoot it?

A few more pics of my rifle in action:



For some reason, none of the game pics from NZ had the rifle in it:



The red "berries" on the bush at the buck's rear end aren't berries at all. That's lung tissue from the exit. The buck fell right in his tracks after being hit on the point of the shoulder and exited just in front of the hind quarter. Great penetration and expansion with the TTSX and not a step taken! DRT



Even my boys have had some good times with this No.1:

You shot a puppy!!

My No. 1S 300 H&H is the last gun I would sell. Haven't shot any game with it unfortunately, but it is the most accurate hunting rifle I've owned. Below is a picture of a 100 yd. 3 shot group with factory Federal Premium Barnes TSX 180 gr. loads. Some old Remington 180 gr. factory loads shoot nearly as well.

.300H&H just seems like the perfect clambering for the #1S

What reticle in the trijicon?

quote:

Originally posted by Cat Power:
What reticle in the trijicon?

Heavy Duplex with Amber dot.

I found a box of the 180 br. TTSX, so I loaded a few rounds and tried them yesterday. I used IMR-4831, Fed. 215 primers, and Rem. brass. The components are the same as what is listed in the Barnes bookx, except they used Win. brass. Rem. is the only brass I have right now. Here are my results for 3-shot groups at 100 yards:

66.0 grs. 1.20" (vertical string, about .25" horizontal spread)
66.5 grs. 1.13"
67.0 grs. 1.49" (vertical string, about .35" horizontal spread)
67.5 grs. 0.79" (rounded group)

I came home and loaded 10 rounds of the 67.5 gr. load so I could shoot two 5-shot groups to get a better idea of the true potential. I have had too many 3-shot groups that were good once, then were not repeatable, so I like to do more testing to be sure. It is windy and snowing today so I will have to test them next weekend.

My handloads are as follows, and these are what I use and not necessarily recommended for your rifle:

RL-22 70gr., Barnes TTSX180gr., I use mixed brass (mostly Hornady), CCI primers, seated to 3.515.

I also shoot some factory loads as follows sometimes, and they perform very well:

Hornady InterBond 180 gr. #8210.

I prefer RL-22 in the .300 H&H.

Can't wait for my Kudu to show up. I have mostly Partitions on my bench (150, 165, 180 and 220 grain), along with 7828 SC and IMR 4831. Hopefully I will be able to find a shooter amongst those options.

I have Norma brass on the way. Anyone know how the Norma capacity compares to Rem and Win?

I am glad they did not go with a 26" barrel like the one on my OM 70 300 H&H. I would have been unable to resist buying one.

Neat rifle anyway...

ISS...at risk of costing you some money...the #1 in .300H&H is indeed equipped with a 26-inch tube.

quote:

Originally posted by jwm:
ISS...at risk of costing you some money...the #1 in .300H&H is indeed equipped with a 26-inch tube.

Yep, most definitely. The Ruger #1 300H&H, at least in the Boddington model, has a 26 inch barrel.

Todd, where are you shooting those Whitetails? Nice Deer!

Jon, they have all been within a couple hours of my home, but in all directions really. My currently leased ranch is 23 miles from home and is producing some really good bucks.

Took this one earlier this year, prior to going into work that morning, of all things. Taken with the same No. 1 300H&H and the same 180gr TTSX load, but I forgot to put the rifle in the photo as it was a "selfie" with the camera resting on my pack.

Great buck!

I recently returned from RSA, where my Boddington Kudu collected 15 animals and performed like a champ.

Used the 180gr TTSX and a non-book dose of IMR 7828 SSC in this rifle with a lengthened throat (COAL of 3.86"). Instrumental velocity was 3,100 fps. Scope is Leupold VX-6 2-12.

I have already had people try to buy it from me...a sure sign that it is a keeper!

If it isn't considered bad form to bring back up an old thread, have any of you guys had problems with case head separations in your #1 S's in 300 H&H? I am religious about only neck sizing rifle brass but I have had a bunch of case head separations with mine. Remington brass was the culprit in all of the separations and with Winchester brass I haven't has any but I am a little goosey.

Here's a photo of the New Zealand Red Stag I took with the Ruger #1 300 H&H this April. Although I seem to be looking up towards heaven or alien space craft, I was actually talking with someone when the picture was taken. The load was the Federal factory round with the Barnes TSX 180 gr.

Very nice. You do know, don't you, that the reason the racks of New Zealand stag are so large is because they live upside down and the blood pools in the antlers.

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:
Very nice. You do know, don't you, that the reason the racks of New Zealand stag are so large is because they live upside down and the blood pools in the antlers.

I told my son, who is 15, that the Kiwis drive on the wrong side of the road for that very reason! My son bagged a nice 11 point stag. His first big game animal ever. Came in roaring to a call. What a way to start.

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:
Very nice. You do know, don't you, that the reason the racks of New Zealand stag are so large is because they live upside down and the blood pools in the antlers.

You got it Grenadier and that is the very reason why our deer velvet is so highly prized; it will put a horn on a jelly fish

quote:

Originally posted by eagle27:

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:
Very nice. You do know, don't you, that the reason the racks of New Zealand stag are so large is because they live upside down and the blood pools in the antlers.

You got it Grenadier and that is the very reason why our deer velvet is so highly prized; it will put a horn on a jelly fish

A little off topic, but any results from the Sika Show available yet? The red deer in my pic above was entered.