Rebarreling the Ruger No 1 Part Two

[ExAgoradzo]

i asked you all for some advice on another thread on how I should rebarrel if I stuck with the .22-250.

Been thinking about it a lot.

Also been thinking about the .243.

As I’ve been thinking more about it the more I’ve been realizing that both cartridges are for lack of a better term ‘intermediate’. The .22-250 is on the high side of varmint the very low side of medium game, the .243 is on the low side of medium game but very high side of varmint.

So, I’m thinking, the .223 is in many ways better for varminting, a nice bolt action would fit that nicely. if I were to rebarrel, why not make it a .243, then I would have a light recoiling rifle capable for any whitetail and still fit the occasional varminting chores.

FWIW: I know the answer should be keep the .22-250 as it is or rebarrel it and get a .223 and a .243 bolt action. That would be ideal...I for one don’t have that kind of cash available...

Another answer is as someone on the other thread said, dump the .22-250 because it is neither fish nor fowl and get a fast twist .223 barrel on the No 1 since there is such a higher variety of factory ammo available.

If I went the .243 direction, I would like to shoot the 80 grains and the 105s.
So same question as before: what twist, length, and manufacturer?
Has any of you done this before.

The whole idea seems like a lot more likely after my initial look at it and seeing that it isn’t as expensive as I was thinking it would be.

Any thoughts along these lines are welcome.

Greg

 

[LoonWulf]

If going with two guns, I'd probably rebarrel the #1 to .257, or 6.5 something or other, and buy a cheap .223, or .22-250 bolty. If you wanted to be extra frugal you could probably have both for 800ish.

The only reason I'd skip the 6mm, is that I feel the larger calibers are better on big game. They still offer some ability as a varmint gun as well.
The .223 and .22-250 use bullet slightly cheaper, less powder and would still be as effective on varmints, so bridging the gap wouldn't be as necessary.

If going with a single rifle, or a rebarrel then I'd go with a fast twist .243, 6CM or the like....personal favorite would be the 6-284.

 

[JeffG]

What about something classic? .257 Roberts. 25-06? First question last....what are you going to use it for? I personally might not change a Ruger #1 from original. Weatherby has a nice bolt 25-06 with Turkish walnut...under 7 bills.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...cts_id/78957/Weatherby+Vanguard+S2+2506+SPRTR

 

[someguy2800]

If your going to get a custom barrel and you handload don’t limit yourself to the common. Lots of unique and excellent rounds with better barrel life than a 243 or 22-250, like 6mm creedmore, 6mmXC, 6mm AR, 22 nosler, 223 AI, ect...

Personally I would save deer hunting for the bigger calibers and just keep it a good varmint gun. The cartridge that I really like on paper for a coyote gun is a 22 nosler with a 1/8 twist barrel shooting 50-80 grain bullets. I want to find a used Remington 700 in 223 to rebarrel in either 22 nosler, 6 TCU, or mabey 6x22 nosler.

If you really want to keep deer/varmint in the equation mabey a 250AI, 6.5C or 260 rem.

I also don’t know how hard or easy it is to change the extractor size on a #1 for different bolt faces.

 

[gotboostvr]

I'm amongst the camp voting for slightly larger than 6mm.

I'm thinking a 6.5 Swede would be a good, classic cartridge befitting the action. I'd probably go with the 6.5 Creedmore though if I had to pony up for factory ammo.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

1. If I keep it .22-250 or .223 it would be my dedicated varminter. The whole reason this came up is that I’d like it to be just a little better/more accurate and harder hitting varminter: hence the 1/8 twist 26” barrel of Part 1 of this thread. But then you go on ammo stores and what you find is 45-55 grain bullets only. I need to learn to reload...

2. I would like it to be a very light recoiling very accurate occasional hunting gun. This would mean that eventually I would want a bolt action .223 to fill the varmint/entry level centerfire rifle for people who come shoot with me. The black tails around here are so small that a decently placed .223 would be very adequate...

3. I live in the PRC and it is surprising how many people have never fired a gun or if they have it is because they ‘have a friend who took them to the range’. [True story: a guy I know told me he had a gun ‘a’ gun. He brought out a Glock 30–a subcompact 45acp. He was proud to have a gun and thought this proved his manhood. Imagine him being the ‘teacher’ of someone their first lessons in shooting... 45acp in a tiny plastic gun! People like him need someone with a relatively light recoiling gun so they really can learn... I weep for this state: pray for me!].

I guess my decision will be to keep this an excellent varminter, at which it would be very good. You’re all prob correct, a dedicated light weight rifle would be better for a first deer gun. [Edit: I have a couple deer guns, what I meant is one that I would loan to someone not wanting a .270 Win or .30-06 Gov.]

Thanks for helping me think...

Greg

 

[someguy2800]

If you don’t handload then I change my recommendation to a 223 with a 1:8 twist, due to ammo availability. Lots of 75-77 grain factory match ammo available. Hornady steel match is only $22 per 50 for 75gr bthp.

 

[adcoch1]

I agree Greg, that you need to start handloading. Picking one rifle or one cartridge as a starting point is a great idea. Maybe instead of the rebarrel, go get a press and some dies, and see if a slightly longer cartridge overall length brings you the accuracy you are looking for. A complete reloading setup can be had for about what a good barrel costs. Just a thought. I don't know how I'd live without reloading, it is a great hobby in itself.

 

[taliv]

i may have missed this somewhere above, but 223 and 243 have very different bolt heads and magazines. i prob wouldn't make that conversion. it'd be easier to sell the rifle and buy one in the cartridge you want

 

[WestKentucky]

No reason to limit yourself. Pick something that really stands out as a versatile round and that will tick off the boxes you want it to. If your looking more at medium game, 7-08, 30 Herrett, 35 Whelen. If your looking more at varminting, 20 practical is where I would land.

I’m in a slightly different but very similar conundrum on picking a new contender barrel. I’m more limited by pressure though, so I am wanting a 20 practical and likely a 6.8spc. Again, no reason to limit myself, so deciding is pretty tough. Especially when a savage axis is the same price as just a barrel.

 

[cheygriz]

6MM Remington. You've got deer and everything smaller covered.

 

[25-20 WCF]

The .30 Herrett? Really? It is in a MUCH lower power class than the others, a tiny rifle cartridge really. No flat trajectory like the .223, lacks the power of the .243 etc. I’ve owned two Herretts in handguns, a great low-powered pistol cartridge, but way low-powered for the OP’s needs.


.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Another answer is as someone on the other thread said, dump the .22-250 because it is neither fish nor fowl and get a fast twist .223 barrel on the No 1 since there is such a higher variety of factory ammo available.

.223/5.56 is a nice cartridge. A fast twist will shoot 55-80 gr. ammo. Although not as fast as 22-250 it's still a respectable varmint cartridge and I wouldn't say it was exactly useless for white tail with an 80 gr. bullet. I load it for 3 rifles and it's a good performer out to about 300 yards. That would be my choice.