I know there are some Ruger No. 1 threads out there, but I had a hard time finding them since Ruger, No, and 1 are not specific enough search terms. I tried some of the other terms in the thread title but didn't get good results.
There is good information around the web about the variants, 1A, 1B, 1AH, 1S etc., but I'm wanting to know more about first-hand experiences. Unfortunately, I'm not likely to be able to handle many or perhaps none at all unless I order one.
Watching this video:
My curiosity was piqued at 2:54 when he describes the handling characteristics of the 1A with a 24" barrel.
The issue of accuracy seems to be a perennial one with Ruger No. 1's, and from what I've read it seems the light barrels are most likely to have problems. Other people blame the two-piece stock, even though the barrel is full floating and the forestock doesn't touch it. So if I were to believe internet rumors, presumably a 1B would be more likely to be accurate. But I haven't actually read anyone vouching that 1B's are more accurate, just that light barrels (presumably 1A's) are less likely to be. I certainly want to avoid an inaccurate rifle, but the weight and handling are one of the things that attract me to a single-shot rifle to begin with.
So I'm curious about the handling of 1A's with 22" and 24" barrels with and without scopes. My particular interest is in a hunting rifle. I'm not interested in collecting rare No. 1's like the guy in the video. I suppose I'm something of a minimalist when it comes to hunting. I like a light, simple, handy rifle. The rifles I have now are bolt action, and one of them is a nifty micro-action so I get a 24" barrel in a 42.5" rifle. I don't need a magazine on a hunting rifle for non-dangerous game, so the advantages of an even shorter action appeal to me. I also need more rifles because I now have more hunters in the household and not enough guns.
With respect to the Ruger No. 1, I think what appeals to me would be an open-sighted rifle without an optic. I hunt in open country so I've got to be able to make shots that are 200 yards or more. Because of that, I'm probably not into the big-bore 1S models chambered for a cartridge with which I'd have to endure too much recoil. There is a 24" 1AH in 6.5 CM but it has no sights. So current new stock 1A's with sights include a 24" 250 Savage, and 22" 30-30, .308, and .30-06. I probably prefer the 30-30 but any of those chamberings could work fine for me. On the other hand, I could be persuaded concerning one of the 1B's or a 1S in .35 Whelen. I'd like to hear more personal experiences.
The guys in the video talk-up the 24" 1A's but I'm not sure I understand why those would balance or handle better than a 22". I'm guessing that all 1A's have the same taper and the longer barrels get thinner at the muzzle.
I'm also interested in what options there are for Ruger No. 1 stocks. It looks like most of the models come with premium wood, a few with laminated stocks. I'd probably make them fit my longer length of pull with a fat recoil pad and if I used only the open sights I wouldn't need to be concerned with raising the comb. But I wasn't able to find any options for inexpensive stocks that could be cut down to shorter lengths of pull for kids. A 30-30 No. 1 could be a great kids rifle, but the one I have in mind needs a 12.5" LOP. I searched Brownells, Ruger, and Boyds for replacement stocks but didn't find anything. Elsewhere I found semi-inlet custom stocks but they were all high-dollar stuff. I'd want an optic on the kid's hunting rifle anyway. The one they have now has a Boyd's At-One adjustable stock and a good Leupold scope and I think that gives them more confidence because sub-100 yard shots might not be what's available where we hunt. I need another rifle like that, but I could also use a No. 1 for myself.
There is good information around the web about the variants, 1A, 1B, 1AH, 1S etc., but I'm wanting to know more about first-hand experiences. Unfortunately, I'm not likely to be able to handle many or perhaps none at all unless I order one.
Watching this video:
My curiosity was piqued at 2:54 when he describes the handling characteristics of the 1A with a 24" barrel.
The issue of accuracy seems to be a perennial one with Ruger No. 1's, and from what I've read it seems the light barrels are most likely to have problems. Other people blame the two-piece stock, even though the barrel is full floating and the forestock doesn't touch it. So if I were to believe internet rumors, presumably a 1B would be more likely to be accurate. But I haven't actually read anyone vouching that 1B's are more accurate, just that light barrels (presumably 1A's) are less likely to be. I certainly want to avoid an inaccurate rifle, but the weight and handling are one of the things that attract me to a single-shot rifle to begin with.
So I'm curious about the handling of 1A's with 22" and 24" barrels with and without scopes. My particular interest is in a hunting rifle. I'm not interested in collecting rare No. 1's like the guy in the video. I suppose I'm something of a minimalist when it comes to hunting. I like a light, simple, handy rifle. The rifles I have now are bolt action, and one of them is a nifty micro-action so I get a 24" barrel in a 42.5" rifle. I don't need a magazine on a hunting rifle for non-dangerous game, so the advantages of an even shorter action appeal to me. I also need more rifles because I now have more hunters in the household and not enough guns.
With respect to the Ruger No. 1, I think what appeals to me would be an open-sighted rifle without an optic. I hunt in open country so I've got to be able to make shots that are 200 yards or more. Because of that, I'm probably not into the big-bore 1S models chambered for a cartridge with which I'd have to endure too much recoil. There is a 24" 1AH in 6.5 CM but it has no sights. So current new stock 1A's with sights include a 24" 250 Savage, and 22" 30-30, .308, and .30-06. I probably prefer the 30-30 but any of those chamberings could work fine for me. On the other hand, I could be persuaded concerning one of the 1B's or a 1S in .35 Whelen. I'd like to hear more personal experiences.
The guys in the video talk-up the 24" 1A's but I'm not sure I understand why those would balance or handle better than a 22". I'm guessing that all 1A's have the same taper and the longer barrels get thinner at the muzzle.
I'm also interested in what options there are for Ruger No. 1 stocks. It looks like most of the models come with premium wood, a few with laminated stocks. I'd probably make them fit my longer length of pull with a fat recoil pad and if I used only the open sights I wouldn't need to be concerned with raising the comb. But I wasn't able to find any options for inexpensive stocks that could be cut down to shorter lengths of pull for kids. A 30-30 No. 1 could be a great kids rifle, but the one I have in mind needs a 12.5" LOP. I searched Brownells, Ruger, and Boyds for replacement stocks but didn't find anything. Elsewhere I found semi-inlet custom stocks but they were all high-dollar stuff. I'd want an optic on the kid's hunting rifle anyway. The one they have now has a Boyd's At-One adjustable stock and a good Leupold scope and I think that gives them more confidence because sub-100 yard shots might not be what's available where we hunt. I need another rifle like that, but I could also use a No. 1 for myself.
