Explain the Ruger #1 to me

I used to own the RSI in .243; one of the few guns I regret selling off. With a Sierra 85BTHP, it would put 3 shots into 3/4" all day long - and that is with a 20" barrel and full length Mannlicher stock. Shorter OAL, handy and it makes you FOCUS and not just blast away with a 30 round mag

Newtosavage said:

What am I missing? Why are so many people fans of this single shot rifle?

I've read nothing but finicky accuracy issues including torque specs for front stock screws, etc. ad nauseum. It's not a particularly light rifle for what it is, and it's prohibitively expensive - again for what it is. I mean, it's pretty and all but there has to be something I'm missing...

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Why do people pay for Harley Davidson motorcycles, when there are so many alternatives that are arguably better motorcycles from purely mechanical point of view?

Looks, mystique, status. Like Harley's, the Number One has an appeal beyond the strictly utilitarian for some people.

Same reason people love double barrel shotguns. I’m not crazy about the number one, but I am a big fan of single shot rifles in general. I like the simplicity and the fact that they are typically about 4-6 inches shorter than a bolt action of the same barrel length. I like the way they handle and I enjoy the tactile experience of operating them.

Classic lines.
Short action.
Simple.
I want one.

I have wanted one since I saw one at a gun show in 7mm STW. It came with dies and load data that had been worked up for that rifle.
I didn't have the spare cash at the time, but have never forgotten that rifle.
I will have one eventually.

They're a joy to carry, even if not significantly lighter due to balance, how short and easy to load/make safe for fence and steam crossings. I find short carbines handle real well shooting from typical field positions.

They're not benchrest rifles, and they don't shoot like them. Thankfully, they don't carry like them either.

I don't have any of the Rugers, but it's very similar to my Encore in it's operation, limitations and methodology of use.

The one model of number 1 that I have always thought was peculiar is the safari models in 458 win mag, 416 rem, 9.3x74, or other "africa calibers". A single shot falling block dangerous game rifle? But as we have established, our preferences don't need to make sense. Strangely enough I want one.

I have to say, I agree with the OP, and I LOVE single shots. Given most of my single shots are antiques, or repros of historical firearms. I understand making that one shot count, but for those big class 4 game cartridges the no.1 is so popular for, I’d want a follow up shot for that game. I think the main popularity is the cost effectiveness in those safari magnums. With the CZ550 I think that’s starting to change

If I coveted one now, it would be for the strength and dependability of the action and it's overall shortness.

I also remember when I was a kid with low money and no internet to find obscure things, the Ruger #1 was one of the least expensive paths to a high quality rifle in some of the less popular chamberings. For sure there's alternatives today.

And the same reason for the 10/22....for all the same reasons people talked about here.

Newtosavage said:

Explain the Ruger #1 to me

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Just look at it.

Gorgeous rifle.

If I ever run across a deal on an RSI in .243 or 7mm-08, I'll probably succumb.

Edit: Or a 6.5 Swede ...

I inherited mine.
I didn’t have a target rifle with a small and fast cartridge. Walt knew this and made sure I got it. Is it as accurate as I had hoped: no, note the current thread i made. But it is beautiful. And for this purpose is very good.

As to DG rifle? No way.

But another way of looking at this question is to ask why people like the Beretta Storm...indefensibly ugly IMHO. But that just means I won’t own it. How bout a .460 WBY? I wouldn’t put that to my shoulder if you gave it to me...But everybody’s boat floats on something different...

Greg

It's all about what one's tastes are. I came across a NIB No. 1 in 6.5x55 SE a few years ago and jumped on it. The idea of using a classic-type rifle (single shot Farquharson action) in a classic caliber (the 6.5 x55 Swede dates to the 1890s) that had modern rifle strength appealed enormously...but then I'm an old school guy. I'm a pretty good marksman so a single shot rifle didn't faze me in the slightest, although when I'm readying a shot I generally have a second or even third cartridge between the fingers of my off hand. My No. 1 will put three shots in 3/4" at 100 yards so, for minute of any animal I hunt, I have all the accuracy that I need.

Indeed, I love classics...just because they're classics. I have a Sako Bavarian in .300 WSM, a Ruger 77 African in 6.5x55 SE and a Win M70 in 7x57 Mauser in addition to the No. 1. They work as well or better than their modern counterparts (6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08) and, in a stalking rifle, make hunting feel like the true challenge it should be. Wood, blue steel, duplex reticles, old calibers all contribute. I wish my Sako was chambered in .300 H&H Magnum.

fpgt72 said:

And the same reason for the 10/22....for all the same reasons people talked about here.

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Not hardly, the 10/22 (and I have one, had one) is nothing in comparison to the #1 aesthetically, or performance -wise. Personally, my Marlin 60 blows the 10/22 out of the water

My answer is "Want" either you do or don't....
You can always come up with reasons later.

I've always wanted one. The only other rifles I've "wanted" as much are more than twice the cost.

Growing up and for the early part of my adult hunting career efficient collection of meat was the primary purpose for which I shopped (within budget).
That ment early on it was bolt actions highpowers and semi auto .22s. Then a remington 7400 got used for day, night, deer, pigs, goats etc.

I switched calibers and rifles as money allowed (cause I'm a gun nut) but I could never justify a number of guns.
The Ruger #1 was about tops of that list.

For the last 10 years (till I got laid off beginning of this year) I've had a well paying job, and my list of "wants" has slimmed a bit.
Now I'm working again and the last major item on my bucket list is a Ruger #1.

I know it won't do anything any better than the guns I currently own, but that doesn't mater, I've got practical covered.

The one I want a lot more than the ruger #1 is a 70's production Browning B78. If I can ever stop spending money on my other stupid hobbies maybe I will get myself one.



After that would be a sharps

Well, this is hard to explain. Some people just like single shot rifles. Now, for the Number One. Sure enough you hear all sorts of stuff about rubber washers aftermarket this and that to deal with the finicky. Now for the other side of the story. My experience is that the rifles on the worst day will give usable hunting accuracy. On my better days each of this rifles will do an inch@100yards. My shooting partner has a fantastically accurate Number One V in a varmint caliber that beats 3/4" at 100 yards on a regular basis. Nobody ever told him the guns wouldn't shoot. I'm sorry, these Number One's that shoot 4" groups at a hundred yards are outside of my experience. I enjoy the modern smokeless single shots. I also shoot and enjoy the period rifles such as Winchester 1885's and Sharp's 1874 types.

Addendum: If you think Matthew Quigley was bad axx check out Town Marshal Bob Valdez!

One of the reasons I really like the #1, is for some reason I don't like exposed hammers.....stupid, I know.

I have always had an affinity for the number one, especially the rsi models. And in my opinion it should be in a rimmed cartridge like a 7x57 or 9x74r or even 45-70. I love the idea of a beautiful recreation of the kind of quality that is hard to find in guns today unless you want to refinance your house. I also like them in big calibers too. Every time I see one I look it over and ask myself if i can take it home. Don't have one though since other responsibilities get in the way. I think they are a gun to enjoy and relish the experience one shot at a time, to slow down and enjoy what you're doing, the mount of the rifle, thebreath taken and let out halfway, the millisecond of stabilization, the trigger squeeze and suprise recoil. Opening the action to retrieve the brass and see the residual smoke in the bore. They are more of an experience than a rifle. Of course I feel that way about all single shots, but the #1 is just the nicest one I've played with...

I've always wanted one. Came very close to buying one several times. After reading about the accuracy issues and talking in person to several people who own them I decided I didn't really want one. I'm a benchrest shooter and they aren't real handy for that. When you can buy a new 1 MOA bolt rifle for $500, which I did, it makes a #1 look very expensive for what I wanted to do with it.

I like the looks but to be honest I think if I were going to spend the money I would have to buy a Winchester 1885 falling block just for the connection to a bygone era.

Mowgli Terry said:

Well, this is hard to explain. Some people just like single shot rifles. Now, for the Number One. Sure enough you hear all sorts of stuff about rubber washers aftermarket this and that to deal with the finicky. Now for the other side of the story. My experience is that the rifles on the worst day will give usable hunting accuracy. On my better days each of this rifles will do an inch@100yards. My shooting partner has a fantastically accurate Number One V in a varmint caliber that beats 3/4" at 100 yards on a regular basis. Nobody ever told him the guns wouldn't shoot. I'm sorry, these Number One's that shoot 4" groups at a hundred yards are outside of my experience. I enjoy the modern smokeless single shots. I also shoot and enjoy the period rifles such as Winchester 1885's and Sharp's 1874 types.

Addendum: If you think Matthew Quigley was bad axx check out Town Marshal Bob Valdez!

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I love the movie "Valdez is Coming". One of my all time favorites.

I only have first hand experience with 2 ruger #1's, both of which were people I met when I used to go to a public outdoor range. One I didn't shoot and it was a very good shooter, about 1" or less. The other was not so great, but fine for a deer rifle for most peoples purposes. About 1-1/2-2" at 100 yards. I helped sight it in. My dad had a 77/22 hornet re barreled by a gunsmith who happened to specialize in re barreling ruger number ones. He told my dad that about half of them are really accurate and the other half not so much. Of those another half can be greatly helped with forend work and the rest need a rebarrel. He showed my dad he had a whole bin of number 1 barrels he had replaced. The same can be said of many rifles so I wouldn't be afraid of buying one.