I'm toying with getting a #1, probably heavy barrel, in an attempt to find the best compromise between accuracy and suitability for hunting deer-size game out to 200 yards. I like the 6 PPC, except it's probably a bit light for hunting deer at that distance. I wouldn't hesitate to have an old #1 rebarreled or rechambered, so non-standard choices aren't a problem.

Suggestions?? 7x57?? 6MMBR?? Others ??

6.5x55, exceptional accuracy and good for 200 yd deer. Second choice 7x57.

.375 H&H, hands down winner. Easy & cheap to load for. Mine shoots tiny groups with a 265gr. cast bullet at about 1800fps.
You can load it light or max. for a lot less than the cost of factory ammo. The full loads will get your attention right away. 10 rounds is about my limit for full loads.
The 235 gr. bullet, with a starting load, should drop a deer like a load of rocks at any resonable range, without too much recoil.

As an ex-silhouette shooter, I'd go with the 7mm IHMSA or 7-08. Both cartridges are good out of a 15" barrel and with todays bullets, you can shoot accurately and with plenty of velocity to hunt at 300+ yards. I've used the lighter Barnes X bullets with great success. Bullets are designed to open at 1800 fps and you'll be way beyond that with either cartridge. Trajectory is flat enough to set a MPOA and be able to hold any correction needed. 7 IHMSA is a little more efficient, 7-08 capable of a little overbore but can go a little faster. Bull barrel not needed for accuracy. Competitors always used a tapered barrel for weight reduction, and with a 5 shot string fired in 100+ temperatures grouping tight, you won't need anything more for hunting. Build your pistol for balance, with a 13 - 15 inch barrel and you should be good to go.

I had one of these babies and the 235 grain running at 2900 fps fairly pole-axed an elk at about 60 yards. My son was using it.

Looking for a rifle, in a Ruger #1. 375 is not on the short list of fun choices to shoot from a bench.

7MM-08 may be a good choice, or a 7 x 57 - they're pretty close in ballistics I was kind of hoping someone would have already made a choice in this action for a deer-size cartridge among the benchrest category candidates.

260 Remington also begins to look pretty good,and has done OK in some 1,000 yard type shoots. 6.5 Swede also has a reputation for accuracy.

Still shopping for ideas, and I do appreciate the views of the members of this forum.

Off to Midnight Mass in a few minutes - Merry Christmas to all !!

The Ruger website says that the #1B and #1V are both still available in 6mm Rem, that would be my choice

I think my choice would be a 30-06 in the 1A model. Also a 7x57 would be another good choice.

I just can't see a heavy barrel single shot for deer hunting unless it's easy.

The Autumn Gun Works in Goshen, CT has a #1 in 6mm PPC. He will be closed til Tuesday.

My first choice also is a #1A in 30-06. It may not shoot sub moa but you won't have to reload fast after you hit the deer.

HT -
I have the #1 in .458WM and in .375H&H - you can get the full range of power using cast with the .458 . .375 loaded down would be excellent for easy on the shoulder and very good for deer (also have a .375Win in Win 94 - fun to shoot).

And I've got the #3 in 7-08 very heavy barrel - shot under 1/2" at 100 yard with the FIRST 5 shot group out of the barrel. Another #3 in .375 Win set up for schuetzen.

You need to choose bench rest vs hunting - big differences in weight and portability.

Lots of options.

The Ruger No1V in 25-06 warrants consideration; it is superb on deer and very accurate (at least mine is sub MOA). Eventhough it is a HB, it is not that heavy for field use.

I have one in 375 H&H and it isn't bad at all. The recoil, while definitely heavy is more of a push than a sharp smack. It is no more difficult to shoot than a silly milly magnum. The deep bass bellow and the brass bananas get immediate attention at the range, though. (And it is SO beautiful!)

In a more practical viegn, my choice of caliber was the 6mm Rem. It duplicates the ballistics of the 243, but has more taper to the case (no need of a special die for neck sizing) and a nice long neck for easy straight bullet seating. Mine is a standard, but if I were to do it over, I would pick the short version with the Manlicher style stock for a hunter.

I have an older #1, not a heavy barrel. Chambered in 7X57, it is and always has been in my top three owned guns...shoots beautifully. If I was buying another, the only discussion would be whether to rechamber for 7X57 AI.

George

I love the Ruger No1, it's a beautiful and classic rifle and very accurate generally. Those with accuracy problems are usually corrected with minor tinkering. It's the strongest rifle action ever designed and 100% ambidextrous for those lefties. I love it's simplicity and it's short/compact with a 24" bbl.

Mines the "Liberty" model .458 Tropical from March 1976 - the wood is AA and truly beautiful.

OK, lots of good conversation on this topic. I do appreciate it.

I'm still not sure which way to go, but it looks like something between the 6MM and the 6.5MM. So, a couple of questions.

Has anyone used the services of an accurizing gunsmith on their Ruger #1?

Has anyone owned any of these in a Ruger #1: 6 PPC; 6MM Remington BR; 260 Remington?

Thanks!

Just back from the Dallas Safari Club convention. Prior to that I emailed Dan Lilja and asked him about the topic. He referred me to Hill Country Rifles, who I mentioned had already put a 338 together for me with one of his barrels. Dan said the #1 could be a good shooter with some accuracy work. So I found Hill Country RIfles at the DSC and we chatted. They have a gunsmith coming to work for them this summer that has lots of experience with the Ruger #1 and that's where and when I'll start. Finally decided on the 260 Remington. We'll see how it goes.