Once you figure out what you like...

[SaxonPig]

Stock up!

Some time ago I decided that the Ruger #1 A1 was just about the most beautiful rifle made. I acquired the first one 10 years ago in Utah. I had stupidly swapped a nickel S&W Model 29 for a Colt Anaconda. After only a few months I grew to hate that revolver so I traded it for the #1 on the right. It's in .243 Winchester and the only problem was that the owner had shortened the butt stock to fit his teen-aged son. The kid grew up and lost interest in this classic gun so I traded the detested Colt for it.

I wonder how long it took that kid to regret his decision?

Anyway, I should buy a new stock but as yet all I did was fit a black plastic spacer to restore the proper length of pull. Looks sort of bad, doesn't it? I will start looking for a replacement now that I am thinking about it.

The middle rifle was purchased a couple years ago. It's in 7x57 (one of my all time favorites) and both guns have shot 1.25-1.50" groups at 100 yards.

Yesterday I took delivery of my newest Ruger. This is the Tropical Model in .458 Winchester. This will be loaded to 45/70 levels for fun shooting.

Anyone know why they put a 2" longer barrel on the .375 and .458 calibers? It makes no sense to me.

So now I'm thinking I need to find one in .308 or .30-06 and have it reamed to .300 H&H simply because it would be cool.

 

[MikeJackmin]

Very nice rifles. I've always loved the look of these guns, especially the front sight.

Do you use a sling for support when you shoot? If so, does the pressure applied by the sling to the barrel cause a problem? I've always wondered about that.

 

[RecoilRob]

Longer barrel means more velocity in the Magnum calibers. And, maybe even more importantly, adds a few ounces of weight to help with the recoil.

I have the 375 H&H and it kicks a tad with the full-out 300grn loads. Especially with the hard rubber butt pad. Finally broke down and installed a Kick-eeze pad and now it isn't abusive to shoot at all. The stock pad would start to get painful after 6 or 7 shots.

Mild 458's would be cake but, really, you need to touch off a few full-out 500's.....just to break it in, you know?