Explain the Ruger #1 to me
- Thread starter Newtosavage
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Mowgli Terry
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Two of my Number One's are second hand seventies vintage so called red pad vintage. The Number One A was made in 1981.The Number One H in 375 H&H is as accurate as my CZ 550 in the same caliber. The other two, also second hand, will do very well. My favorite is the Number One B in 257 Roberts. That rifle is as accurate as the other Roberts caliber rifles here-good. I can only share my on hands experience. The Number One's that I have shot or present when shot have been excellent rifles. YMMV
Finicky: Trust me, Number One's do not have a monopoly on finicky. On these older Ruger's you gotta be mindful of long throats. That can be crazy making to some. If I keep doing the wrong thing the wrong results will happen. Run in circles with hair afire. Trade the rifle. The next guy gets the rifle is asking what was the last guy thinking. This rifle is a winner! I believe in my heart of hearts that many of the problem with the Number One's have grown to gigantic proportions on the net. All this is my experience. Your experience may be different. Neither one of us have seen it all.
Bad barrels: Sometime back I got tired of hearing the Wilson barrel rants. Asked on one of the Ruger Forums about when Ruger dropped Douglas barrels. Answer, nobody could tell exactly because Wilson barrels were phased in as Douglas barrels were used up.
I love it, for many, many years English hunters used powerful singe shot rifles in Africa. There were no repeaters! Shame face on you if you eat too much on Thanksgiving!
Finicky: Trust me, Number One's do not have a monopoly on finicky. On these older Ruger's you gotta be mindful of long throats. That can be crazy making to some. If I keep doing the wrong thing the wrong results will happen. Run in circles with hair afire. Trade the rifle. The next guy gets the rifle is asking what was the last guy thinking. This rifle is a winner! I believe in my heart of hearts that many of the problem with the Number One's have grown to gigantic proportions on the net. All this is my experience. Your experience may be different. Neither one of us have seen it all.
Bad barrels: Sometime back I got tired of hearing the Wilson barrel rants. Asked on one of the Ruger Forums about when Ruger dropped Douglas barrels. Answer, nobody could tell exactly because Wilson barrels were phased in as Douglas barrels were used up.
I love it, for many, many years English hunters used powerful singe shot rifles in Africa. There were no repeaters! Shame face on you if you eat too much on Thanksgiving!
I don't know why the Ruger #1, but I have learned to love a single shot.
I started rifle deer hunting with a BAR in .270 Winchester, a gift from my father, when I was sixteen or so. He has been shooting the same in .30-06 Springfield since before I was born. I would not have wanted anything else than a semi back then. Mine is an excellent hunting rifle.
Then, we were invited to a muzzleloader only hunt. The first year, I went just to run for the older guys, not wanting anything to do with that kind of stovepipe. Their successes convinced me that I should reevaluate my appreciation of the tool and the hunt it allowed. I was then in my early twenties.
When I was in my last year in school, my father took me to the gunshop in the city where he had bought his Encore muzzleloader a few years before. I bough the same gun, with a little help from my dad... I never thought I would enjoy single shot hunting so much. Many years later, a few years ago, the same gun shop had Encore .30-06 Springfield barrels in stock (this never happens here) and announced a special. I went and bought one, scoped it with a Leupold. I could not find a forearm matching the original camo stock for the life of me. I could not stand two different parts, a black forearm being all I could get for the riffle barrel. I bought the pro black stock with the thumb hole, unsure if I would like it.
It is, by far, my most pleasant rifle to shoot. It is simple, robust, 26" barreled but easily maneuverable, stainless, all weather, accurate and an ergonomic success. It handles so well! And did I mention how easy it is to clean?
I hope we will be able to get Henry single shot rifles over here next year. For the price of a new Encore barrel sans scope, I would get a complete rifle in .243 Winchester, with nice wood and sights, hoping to, someday, bring my heir to a single shot rifle deer hunt. He is still too young, there is time.
I started rifle deer hunting with a BAR in .270 Winchester, a gift from my father, when I was sixteen or so. He has been shooting the same in .30-06 Springfield since before I was born. I would not have wanted anything else than a semi back then. Mine is an excellent hunting rifle.
Then, we were invited to a muzzleloader only hunt. The first year, I went just to run for the older guys, not wanting anything to do with that kind of stovepipe. Their successes convinced me that I should reevaluate my appreciation of the tool and the hunt it allowed. I was then in my early twenties.
When I was in my last year in school, my father took me to the gunshop in the city where he had bought his Encore muzzleloader a few years before. I bough the same gun, with a little help from my dad... I never thought I would enjoy single shot hunting so much. Many years later, a few years ago, the same gun shop had Encore .30-06 Springfield barrels in stock (this never happens here) and announced a special. I went and bought one, scoped it with a Leupold. I could not find a forearm matching the original camo stock for the life of me. I could not stand two different parts, a black forearm being all I could get for the riffle barrel. I bought the pro black stock with the thumb hole, unsure if I would like it.
It is, by far, my most pleasant rifle to shoot. It is simple, robust, 26" barreled but easily maneuverable, stainless, all weather, accurate and an ergonomic success. It handles so well! And did I mention how easy it is to clean?
I hope we will be able to get Henry single shot rifles over here next year. For the price of a new Encore barrel sans scope, I would get a complete rifle in .243 Winchester, with nice wood and sights, hoping to, someday, bring my heir to a single shot rifle deer hunt. He is still too young, there is time.
Shanghai McCoy
Member
I have a Sharps replica and a Trapdoor carbine replica both in 45/70. Both are fun to shoot but dang, now that I've see that Ruger International version in 6.5x55 I'm starting to feel the early stages of "gun lust".
And here I thought I was too old for that... stuff.
And here I thought I was too old for that... stuff.
presspuller
Member
I fell in love with the #1 when I was about 16 and have wanted one in 45-70 every since. I think it may be in part that it's a small throwback to the Sharps rifles. I finally got one about a year ago. Now I'm like the dog that chased the car and finally caught it. Now that I have it, I don't know what to do with it. There are not many buffalo around here that needs killing, I don't deer hunt, but I do own something I lusted over for 35 plus years.
Llama Bob
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I've never seen much to love about the #1 design other than being one of the cheaper options for an African client rifle. The current Miroku 1885s with the free float fore end seem like a much better design. I've ended up with two of them - on in .45-90 and one in 6.5CM.
adcoch1
Member
Sometimes wanting something that long is reason enough...
Sergei Mosin
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They're almost too pretty - I'd be scared to death of dinging one up. Still wish I'd bought an International in 7x57 though.
mgmorden
Member
Most people on this forum own more guns than the average gun owner. What you're looking at is an enthusiast group. As such aside from the absolute newest members to the shooting hobby, pretty much everyone here has any utility need covered. If I just want a rifle to head into the field with I've got that covered quite a few times over.
After a while, though you want guns that work well, many people end up looking at their purchases more for "interest" than routine use. If the action is particularly interesting, or the rifle is particularly attractive, etc, then that rifle is intriguing.
It's like asking a car enthusiast why they bother with a restored muscle car that is less reliable, less safe, and less efficient than a Toyota Camry.
After a while, though you want guns that work well, many people end up looking at their purchases more for "interest" than routine use. If the action is particularly interesting, or the rifle is particularly attractive, etc, then that rifle is intriguing.
It's like asking a car enthusiast why they bother with a restored muscle car that is less reliable, less safe, and less efficient than a Toyota Camry.
Mowgli Terry
Member
Well said. Are we going to do a GTO or a Mustang this year? The Number One is now in very limited production. If you have a desire for the Ruger it may be good to start looking. Also, I you are interested in single shot rifles check out the other makers. There are a number of companies turning out accurate replicas of period single shots. Shiloh is probably the best known. C.Sharps also makes 1874 Sharps rifles plus Winchester single shots and a couple of others. Pedersoli and Uberti have lines of proven good singe shots. I'll warn you this single shot business is highly addictive!
entropy
Member
Because the ne plus ultra of the single-shot world, The Sharps-Borchardt, is near impossible to find, and big money when you do. The Ruger #1 is an elegant attempt to bring back the mystique of the single-shot rifle.
Newtosavage
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I'm kinda there with a straight stock Browning BLR in 7mm-08. I've wanted one since the early 90's when I first saw one in a gun shop in Victoria, TX. Eventually I'll just pull the trigger and get one if for no other reason than to get it out of my system.
Mowgli Terry
Member
Some folks think Ruger missed that mark by not having more traditional rifles in the line. That would be with longer barrels and traditional calibers. Those rifles would have been for those interested in non-competitive black powder shooting. Ruger did revive several calibers in the Number One. There are great examples of innovations throughout the line. Where would we be with 45-70 and 405 for example had these rounds not appeared in Ruger's? How about 416 Rigby and so on. The Browning single shot came along after the Number One. The best action among single shot shooters is a hot button topic.
rayatphonix
Member
I have two and would never part with either. I thought I could easily explain why, but when I got here I struggled to explain. I guess it’s the simplicity. I once killed 4 deer in about 5 or 6 minutes with one of mine. I still smile when I think of that sit and having a single shot is one of the reasons.
Don't feed the troll....oh wait I am the troll.
One of the few on the planet that hates....and I do mean HATE 10/22, but will not poison this thread.
What I really think it is:
Some of us like single shots in general because it brings our minds back to what we think are a more simple time. (none of this is to be in a bad way to anyone...this is why (I) love singles)
It slows us down, on something like a falling block, you have the lever, you can hear the "machine" of the gun working as you do the work...you move the lever, you manually cock the hammer on a trapdoor....you hear the clicks, you hear the clicks when you open the door. They are heavy, thick, and really pretty. Then in the shooting they slow you down, you take your time....(i know bad) I shoot many of my single 22's with no ears, (they are shot already) and hearing the action work, listening to the birds sing, getting the ever living _____ frightened out of you by the idiot doe standing 5 feet behind you watching you shoot....it is all nice. And then there is the noise, most of my old single 22's like 22 longs, and sub sonic....they shoot better with slower ammoes....and that is just not bad on a guy that says what half the time....spending time around race cars will kill your ears faster then guns IMHO....and it was the 80's and no one cared at that time.
We like them because they are simple....I am pretty far from a Ruger fan....about 180 from being a fan, as I have had pretty bad luck with their offerings, but seeing they make a #1 in 243 I would be all over that....I think that would be fun....but then again you could get one that could not hit a barn from inside the barn, and then you could get one that would put 1 hole groups at 100 with me shooting off hand.
I also think this is why lever, single actions are still popular....there is something to the manual nature of guns that "real" gun guys like. And by "real" I mean people that love a gun for reasons past CCW or if a ______ attacks you on a hike....and really you better see the ________ before it gets to you or they will know it was you be shifting through the ______ poo to recover your gun and look up the SN# to see who bought it.
We like guns for its mechanical nature....I am on a kick here lately of early auto loaders The Winchester earlys 351 and 401 nothing really magic there, just a huge amount of weight, but the Remington 8 and 81....those are something else....so many little parts and lever like thingies in there and how it all works together is just cool to me.
That was one hell of a ramble, but if you managed to wade through all that garbage I bet I got over half of the peoples reason for loving #1 and singles in general.
Some of us like single shots in general because it brings our minds back to what we think are a more simple time. (none of this is to be in a bad way to anyone...this is why (I) love singles)
It slows us down, on something like a falling block, you have the lever, you can hear the "machine" of the gun working as you do the work...you move the lever, you manually cock the hammer on a trapdoor....you hear the clicks, you hear the clicks when you open the door. They are heavy, thick, and really pretty. Then in the shooting they slow you down, you take your time....(i know bad) I shoot many of my single 22's with no ears, (they are shot already) and hearing the action work, listening to the birds sing, getting the ever living _____ frightened out of you by the idiot doe standing 5 feet behind you watching you shoot....it is all nice. And then there is the noise, most of my old single 22's like 22 longs, and sub sonic....they shoot better with slower ammoes....and that is just not bad on a guy that says what half the time....spending time around race cars will kill your ears faster then guns IMHO....and it was the 80's and no one cared at that time.
We like them because they are simple....I am pretty far from a Ruger fan....about 180 from being a fan, as I have had pretty bad luck with their offerings, but seeing they make a #1 in 243 I would be all over that....I think that would be fun....but then again you could get one that could not hit a barn from inside the barn, and then you could get one that would put 1 hole groups at 100 with me shooting off hand.
I also think this is why lever, single actions are still popular....there is something to the manual nature of guns that "real" gun guys like. And by "real" I mean people that love a gun for reasons past CCW or if a ______ attacks you on a hike....and really you better see the ________ before it gets to you or they will know it was you be shifting through the ______ poo to recover your gun and look up the SN# to see who bought it.
We like guns for its mechanical nature....I am on a kick here lately of early auto loaders The Winchester earlys 351 and 401 nothing really magic there, just a huge amount of weight, but the Remington 8 and 81....those are something else....so many little parts and lever like thingies in there and how it all works together is just cool to me.
That was one hell of a ramble, but if you managed to wade through all that garbage I bet I got over half of the peoples reason for loving #1 and singles in general.
Llama Bob
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This is a good point - there's a lot of good hunting cartridges that have been saved from disappearing or becoming Europe-only by chambering them in the #1. Largely safari stuff that didn't catch on in the US.
If you want a .450/400 NE and don't want to pay a fortune, it's your only option I know of.
They handle great, look cool, and if it's a shooter, they're awesome.
someguy2800
Member
My father in law shot 5 one morning with a 270 Encore in about 15 minutes. I still joke that he is going to need a high capacity magazine for that thing.
Mowgli Terry
Member
By now I suspect that OP may be getting an idea of what Number One's are all about. I got rifles that shoot very well. Getting a Number One that shoots very well is just not the same. It is a different shooting experience. This difference is really noticeable shooting three or four rifles at the range in the same session. No doubt this difference has more to do with the frame of mind that anything else. To me, this difference is there with any large caliber single shot. Either you are with this single shot thing or not. Those who are not with it, the single shot rifles, think you are as crazy as a bessie bug.
cheygriz
member
I had a 1-V heavy barrel in .22-250 for years. With my 50 grain handloads, it consistently shot 3/8 MOA. I really enjoyed that rifle. When I quit hunting varmints, I gave it to my nephew. He's on his third barrel now and still going strong.
Mowgli Terry
Member
We talked about calibers a few post ago. The one that got left off is 7x57 Mauser. Wonder how much Ruger had to do with bringing 7mm Mauser back into the market?
Zaydok Allen
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In a world obsessed and addicted to technology and innovation, there is something very satisfying about loading one round at a time in a beautifully crafted old school rifle.
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