Ruger Number 1 Connundrum...

Slamfire said:

You are really downloading the cartridge. Every chronographed that load? And, what lead to this? When the 270 Win came out in the 1920's, one selling point was that it was faster than the 30-06 and thus, flatter shooting.

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My reason for downloading is a deteriorating right shoulder. Factory .270 loads have become uncomfortable. Where I hunt shots are usually less than 100 yards, never over 200 yards, so the usual practice of zeroing a couple of inches high at 100 yards still allows me to put the crosshairs on the target without having to worry about excess drop. Cutting the bullet weight from 150 to 110 grains made a difference, and the lighter powder charge made it even more comfortable. H4895 was the choice because it can be downloaded to 60% of the maximum charge for a given bullet weight. From Hodgdon's online data, the maximum charge of H4895 for a 110 grain bullet in the .270 Winchester is 47.5 grains. 60% of 47.5 is 28.5 grains, so I'm loading 1 grain above the chart minimum.

(Link to Hodgdon's reference for downloading with H4895:

https://imrpowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/h4895-reduced-rifle-loads.pdf)

I don't own a chronograph. My reference on the comparison to the 6.8 SPC was taken from Hodgdon's 2018 Annual Manual, which shows the same bullet, Hornady 110 grain V-Max, over 29.0 grains of the same powder, H4895, producing a muzzle velocity of 2550 fps with 42,400 psi. So I guessed my load is probably in the same ballpark. Both deer confirmed it as best they could, falling over in their tracks.

I still carry a couple of rounds of factory 150 grain cartridges in the field, in case a trophy shows up at longer range. I know where they hit in relation to my zero with the lighter load. I love the .270 Winchester because it gives me such a range of options.

I want a No.1, but they're so pretty I'm afraid to buy one for fear of dinging it up.

J-Bar said:

I don't own a chronograph. My reference on the comparison to the 6.8 SPC was taken from Hodgdon's 2018 Annual Manual, which shows the same bullet, Hornady 110 grain V-Max, over 29.0 grains of the same powder, H4895, producing a muzzle velocity of 2550 fps with 42,400 psi. So I guessed my load is probably in the same ballpark. Both deer confirmed it as best they could, falling over in their tracks.

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I looked at a 6.8 SPC and it is the same length as a 223. Without a doubt your load is slower than the same powder charge in a 6.8 SPC because the case you are using is much larger. By how much, someone with a ballistic program could calculate, and that would be interesting. The fact you are so successful, with such a light bullet, and a velocity less than 2500 fps, is interesting. The shooting community has been sold on high kinetic energy, super fast, and super heavy bullets (magnumitis) to the level that you would think a 20mm shell is marginal on 100 lb deer. But, here you are, taking deer with a low recoiling load that is not going over 3000 fps.

Trouble maker!

I bought my Ruger #1V 25-06 about 20 years ago. It has only ever seen my handloads and it is simple to re-form 30-06 or 270 brass to 25-06. Several good bullets on the market from light to heavy. The #1V has the bull barrel and both scope mounts are on the barrel and do not straddle the receiver. I never saw accuracy issues of any kind. 25-06 is a terrific cartridge and very flat shooting. The 1V requires a scope as there are no iron sight versions and you want a scope with long eye relief.

OP like your father I’ve been enchanted by the #1 RSI and for me money was(is) an issue.

My thinking was that rifle with the graceful lines should be either in .243 or the exotic 7x57.

while I’m still dreaming about a RSI at least now I can use a #1 for Ohio deer but it’ll be in .450 Bushmaster

I picked up a #1 RSI from a gun store, that was used but rated 98%. I have always been a huge fan of the .270 and own several different variations chambered for .270. My #1 RSI shoots well and is easy to handle on long walks. I do not shoot it as well in the field as my heavier .270 guns, but it is a beauty to look at while in the stand!

Sergei Mosin said:

I want a No.1, but they're so pretty I'm afraid to buy one for fear of dinging it up.

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Dings are on the user. Just pay attention and you won't do much in the way of dings. I bought one back in the '70's in 22-250 and it doesn't have any serious marks on it to this day and it did in a lot of prairie dogs back when we had prairie dogs. I even let my teenage son take it hunting back then. Of course I threatened him with his life if it came home bunged up.

Not to belabor a point, but Missouri’s regular firearm deer season started today. I took this fat table trophy spike with another one of my downloaded .270 Winchester rounds, the third deer I have taken in two years of using them. He was meandering towards me, quartering from my left. I made the shot at 50 yards, entering the base of the neck just medial to the right shoulder joint. He went about 20 yards and collapsed. No exit wound; chest cavity was shredded. I don’t think this load is appropriate for every situation or every type of game. But if one is willing to wait for the right shot (and isn’t that the essence of hunting?) a reduced recoil load can be used effectively.

Yeah, I know I’m a troublemaker!!

If I were buying another Ruger #1, the .243 or .257 Roberts would get lots of attention. But I will stick with the gal I brought to the dance...she’s never let me down.

earlthegoat2 said:

The only No 1 RSI I have ever seen was chambered in 7x57. Seems just right to me. 6.5x55 would be good too.

Hey, It’s a European inspired stock so it should be in a European cartridge.

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That was my exact thought. A 7x57 would be ideal.

I guess as we age we appreciate more refined things, I too crave a Ruger #1 and have been researching which caliber and why. I'm thinking 444 Marlin (which, from reading, is a cranky round but one that needs extensive research), or a 45-70, or a 30-06. I'm not a hunter so I'm just looking at a fun gun to play with but like others, the price is keeping me from buying it at this time.

There are very few guns I regret selling off and one at the top was my RSI in .243. With Sierra 85BTHPs, it was an awesome rifle shooting 3/4" groups form that 20" barrel and a joy to carry. I had bought mine new when they came out and sold it for a lot less than 1 grand. Folks must like them, because I rarely see one in .243 for sale; but if I had to do it all over again, it would be .243 first choice and either 7x57 or 7-08 second

marksman13 said:

I’d give anything to see this rifle in my dad’s hands.]

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You have chosen well. Using it in his memory is a fine way to honor him.

You know we expect photos from the field, right?

marksman13 said:

I’ll own a No. 1 RSI at some point in either 6.5x55, 7-08 or 308. Almost bought a stainless RSI in 308 today along with this 257 Weatherby. My wife might have buried me with it if I had come home with both.

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And, wouldn't you know, there are TWO in .243 listed for sale on GunsInternational.com

marksman13 said:

I can live with that as the first three rounds at a hundred yards.

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Oh yeah!