Still looking for an EXCEPTION red pad #1 in 375 H&H with wood as good or close to this one in 300 H&H I bought here. Thanks!

Just because a No 1 has a red butt pad doesn’t mean it shoots well (owned a few and sold a few). The “Red Pad” period was a mix of Douglas and Wilson made barrels. Some were good, even great, and some were just tomato stakes. Ruger didn’t have a high standard for barrel quality in those days. The wood was always pretty good though.

In the “Red Pad” period the trigger when through some changes too. Just because a No 1 has a red butt pad, doesn’t mean it’s worth anything other then to a collector or a custom builder that just wants the action and wood.

I love the Ruger No 1 but I have no delusions of what it truly is… A heavy, single shot, hunting rifle.

These shoot really nice and not one red pad in the bunch.

You are not a "wood person". Have yet to meet a "red pad" #1 or 77 that will not shoot well. My 22" bbl #1 7x57 is hardly "heavy". The red pads are just so much cooler and if you ever have the action apart, the standards of fit & finish far exceed current production. Dotto tang safe 77s vs the current clubs.
77 35 whelen



77 RSM (top)



Nice group of #1s you have, one has decent wood.

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You are not a "wood person". Have yet to meet a "red pad" #1 or 77 that will not shoot well. My 22" bbl #1 7x57 is hardly "heavy".

I’m a “wood person” but only to a point. Your rifles are beautiful. I have owned 8 over the years and I only own 5 now. The Swift and 204 have nice wood (nothing like yours) but the 7mm Rem has nice wood too, you just can’t see it in the picture. It’s worn a butt stock cartridge sleeve for most of 25 years. All of them have been it the field. They have been rained on, snowed on, blasted with dust and dirt. A few of them have fallen off the truck tailgate and out of the truck passenger door. One even tumbled down 15 feet of rock rip-rap.

All but one has made a kill but none of them are “safe queens”. I like fine wood but it’s not my main concern when picking a hunting rifle.

Are you going to use your new rifle as a hunting rifle? I would suggest that you take it to a nearby gravel road and drop it a couple of times. If you don’t, your wife or friends well put the dings on it for you.

At least you’ll have the satisfaction of putting the first dings on yourself.

Hey it just depends on Ruger #1 rifles. I have a red pad .243 that is exceptional. First two shots always overlap at 100 yards.

Have a 45/70 that isn't far behind.

Have owned a .223 that wouldn't put two in two inches of each other. And a 30-06 that was even worse. These red pad models are just too variable. Damn fine rifle design, damn poor quality control. When you get a good one hang onto it.

Worry about minor stock damage is a silly reason to leave a rifle home. As long as Doug Turnbull is in business, wood can always be redone as well or better than new.

The 35 Whelen 77 is a complete redo (no Ruger ever looked that good from the factory).

You got a red pad #1/77 you can't get to shoot, that has 3-4X wood ? I'll give you $200 for it to relieve your frustration. Heck, I'll even send you pics once I get it shooting sub MOA.
300 H&H ex 30-06) with a mere 6X scope (note red pad), shoots rather well with only factory ammo.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 45-70 shooter:
Worry about minor stock damage is a silly reason to leave a rifle home. As long as Doug Turnbull is in business, wood can always be redone as well or better than new.

The 35 Whelen 77 is a complete redo (no Ruger ever looked that good from the factory).

You got a red pad #1/77 you can't get to shoot, that has 3-4X wood ? I'll give you $200 for it to relieve your frustration. Heck, I'll even send you pics once I get it shooting sub MOA.

#1 300 H&H (ex 30-06) with a mere 6X scope (note red pad), shoots rather well with only factory ammo.

duplicate

duplicates

Very Nice groups.







The No. 1 shoots just fine. It’s accurate enough. But it’s not a target rifle. It's just a hunting rifle and there is nothing wrong with that.

Excellent groups also but a 30 caliber magnum that shoots factory ammo with the "inaccurate" LOL, 180 gr Barnes bullets in 3/4" at 3000 fps will do for anything one might choose to shoot with a 300 H&H.

Found a red pad #1 375 H&H, wood looks about 3X, now I have to order a new NEI mold. Should be a good 600 yard gong ringing "plinker".

Same design as this .358, also have the same design in .309 and .411. Very accurate. Expanded bullet was dug out of WY "gumbo" berm at 350 yards, 12" in. Starting at 1900 fps from Ruger 77 35 Whelen.

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Originally posted by 45-70 shooter:
Still looking for an EXCEPTION red pad #1 in 375 H&H with wood as good or close to this one in 300 H&H I bought here. Thanks!

Any of these suit you ? Two are 375's and one 47/70.all factory wood and you can't have any of them!!