I finally got my #1 back from BCRW. It is chambered in .338x74Keith. This is a 9.3x74R necked down to .338 & improved. The case cap. is close to a .338Winmag, but the LOA is almost 4"! So much for the short & fat craze.
So far I have only shot fireforming loads, but the biggest group was still under 1MOA. It looks like it will be a shooter. I am going to try & work up some loads using the 225grNAB @ 2800fps+. It should be a good cross canyon elk whacker. It came in @ 9# w/ 26" bbl. & Leup. VXIII 2.5x8 scope.

[ 08-12-2003, 10:33: Message edited by: fredj338 ]

Outstanding rifle and very intriguing cartridge.

How is the barrel bedded? Is it free floated? Is there a tensioner between the barrel and hangar.

Savage, I didn't take it apart, but BCRW has been a front runner for years on accurizing the #1. That & the fact he actually had a reamer for the cart. was why I went to him. I believe he uses a combo. of free floating & a tensioner. I can't wait to get back to the range for some serious load dev.

Now "Improve" the cartridge to no taper, a 40 degree angle pushed forward shoulder to yield a 0.20 inch neck and sell it Winchester to answer the 338 RUM.
Just kidding.
I have looked at that svelt 9.3 X 74R many times and wondered what about a 358 caliber Ruger #1 ? But the 338 never occured to me; but makes very good sense. I assume you "cleaned up" a 338 win mag? Keep us posted on how she shoots.

[ 08-22-2003, 08:00: Message edited by: Old & Slow ]

Old, if I can figure out how to post a pic I will. It is smaller dia. than the .338winmag. I had my #1 rebarreled. It shoots great w/ just the fireforming loads. I can't wait to work up some hunting loads. Basically it is a imp. 9.3 necked down to .338 w/ about the same cap. as a .338win.mag. I like the 4"LOA.

OK, I give, who is BCRW?

Thanks

Jim B.

Jim B. it's Broad Creek RifleWorks.

I had the rifle out last week & things are looking good w/ the 225grNAB @ 2825fps+. I am getting nice round 1" groups, a bit better when the wind isn't blowing. I need to move back to 300 now & see how she bucks!

No pics yet??

Fred338,

Which BCRW are you referring to, I found two on the internet. One in Snowhill, MD and one in Laurel, DE.

Thanks

Doug

Savage, it is free floated w/ a tension screw.

dw, I think he is in DE, it's one of those small east coast states. I like the way the rifle shoots, but I'm not all that happy w/ the work. I am having my local guy "fix" some of the little things. The PacNor bbl. is very smooth, it cleans up very quickly. It is my 2nd PacNor & I am very happy w/ their bbls. I have one to be fitted to my M700SA in .260AI & another will be on my M70 in .404jeff.

Fredj338,

It sounds lke you have not communicated all that well with the gunmsmith at BCRW.

Mr. Rugerrio (I think his first name is Mike) lives in Laurel, DE.

He does a lot more than float the barrel and stabilize it to the hanger. He installs a set screw that you can adjust to "tune" the harmonics of your barrel to your particular round and load. It can improve accuracy and it is easy to do w/o taking the forearm off.

He also installs Wolf speed springs, adjusts the triggers, and takes the kinks out of the quarter rib.

He also seals the wood better than Ruger does it, including under the butt pad.

I have found his accurizing package turns my out of box #1s into consistent under MOA shooters that vie with many custom rifles costing 3x as much.

Regards,
1B

Yes 1B, we sent a huge detailed volumn of e-mail back & forth. I just think he got behind & I don't think it was his best job. The tension crew I mentioned is the adjustable set screw you speak of. He also worked the trigger, 1/4 rib, etc. It was a full priced job that shoots very well, but:
The bbl. was the wrong contour
The bbl. band front sight was NOT silver soldered
He forgot the bbl. band swivel
The rifle was returned w/o the hard case, orig. bbl. & rings.
He has offered to redo the job, but I am hesitant to send it back. He is a nice guy & all, I just expected a bit more for the money he charges.
I am happy w/ the caliber though & It shoots around the 1" mark w/ many loads. I'm not wanting to trash Mike, I can't however recommend his work in good faith.

[ 10-13-2003, 23:19: Message edited by: fredj338 ]

Fredj338,

It sounds like BCRW just didn't pay atention to detail in your case. I hope that is not a trend. He did my #1s three-four years ago and has received lots of attention in the gun mags in the interrim.

The curse of success for the independent craftsman is that the more his work gets known, the busier he gets and the less time there is to see to the details that make or break reputations. A one-man -- or even a family run -- shop can only do so much qality work for so much profit.

A local smith that I use has solved the problem by doing everything right all the time, taking his time, charging customers through the nose, and settling for nothing less than flawless work. He looks me in the eye across his counter and tells me "You are standing on the most expensive ground in town".

Worth it? After having several guns 'buggered up' by guys who were cheaper I found that the real cost was in reliability, and sometimes, safety.

Hope your project works out. Sounds like an interesting approach.

Regards,
1B