Ruger No. 1 Falling Block - Farquharson
- Thread starter labnoti
- Start date
- Status
J-Bar
Member
I bought my No.1 used at a gunshow over 20 years ago, .270 Winchester. I think it looks fine with the smaller Leupold 1X4 scope. Where I hunt 4x is enough. It is very handy in a tree stand and carries well when still hunting.
No one buys a No. 1 for bench rest competition. In my experience it is as reliable for first shot precision as any other hunting rifle. That said, it is possible to develop loads that shoot nice groups at 100 yards:
No one buys a No. 1 for bench rest competition. In my experience it is as reliable for first shot precision as any other hunting rifle. That said, it is possible to develop loads that shoot nice groups at 100 yards:
Flatbush Harry
Member
I picked up a No. 1A in 6.5x55 SE a few years ago because I was fascinated by the design and wanted to try the caliber. I mounted a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36 scope using the factory rings. I picked up 3 boxes of Remington 140gr Core-Lokts, mostly for the brass, and headed to the range to sight it in. After sight-in, my first 3-shot group at 100 yards was 3/4"...none of my handloads have significantly improved upon that. It's a grear compact stalking rifle. I recently acquired a Ruger 77 Hawkeye African, also in 6.5x55 SE and mounted the same scope on it. I love Rugers, Leupys on hunting rifles, and 6.5 Swedes. Great hunting set-ups.The Rugers are on the right.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Color me jealous. I was looking for a No.1 RSI in 6.5x55 but ran across a good deal on one in 7x57. I haven't shot it much yet but it's showing promise. But a Hawkeye African in 6.5x55? Sweet!
Flatbush Harry
Member
The 7x57 (aka .275 Rigby) is one of my true faves. The 2nd from the left is a Win 70 in Grade III wood in 7x57. It shoots bugholes with my 175gr 7mm SMK handloads. Very little recoil, a delight to shoot as are the Rugers. I bought a box of Hornady .275 Rigby brass...just for the old school grins. The one on the left is a Sako 85 Bavarian in .300 WSM...pretty much a ballistic match for the .300 H&H Mag. I'm an old school wood and blue steel rifles in old school calibers.
BTW, I believe that the 2018 Lipsey's Special for Ruger was the 77 African in.275 Rigby...if I can find one, I'll jump on it (Who was that guy WDM "Karamoja" Bell and what did he do with a .275 Rigby?). BTW, the Cabela's in Lone Tree, CO had a new, unfired Ruger 77 in 6.5x55 SE on the shelf as recently as Monday of this week if you're interested. Give them a call if you want to buy it. I believe that the price is $1,199.99.
Cheers, and good hunting.
Last edited:
SwampWolf
Member
You really have good taste, Offfhand!
Regarding the inherent accuracy of the No.1, though my experience with these rifles is limited to the only one I've ever owned (or ever shot, for that matter), mine (a Varmint 1V, chambered in .220 Swift, purchased new in 1995), using factory Hornady ammunition, is the most accurate rifle of the many I've ever owned. I make this point (and I understand that a heavy-barreled rifle intended for shooting varmints is a long way from the configuration the op has in mind) because I've read so many accounts of how difficult it is to get a No. 1 to shoot accurately and perused so many home-brewed remedies for getting them to shoot straight, I thought it apropos to reaffirm Offfhand's admonition: "Not all Ruger Ones are created equal..."-though I concede he was probably referencing aesthetics as opposed to accuracy.
As an aside, I had no problem mounting a Bausch & Lomb "Elite 3000", 4x12 scope on it (Ruger graciously exchanged the set of rings that came with the rifle for a lower height set).
Olympus
Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2008
- Messages
- 4,212
I’ve got a brand new RSI in 257 Roberts with gorgeous wood that I’ve never taken out of the house. I just can’t seem to take the chance on putting a ding in the gorgeous wood! But you’re right, those RSI models are so short and handy they just feel like an outdoorsman’s rifle.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I still need to shoot this one. RSI in .243 Win.
pert near
Member
I've owned 3 Ruger #1's & 2 Ruger #3's & I'd like to comment on my accuracy experience & observations.
My understanding is that some of the very early #1's had some barrel quality issues that created accuracy problems. Once the problem was identified Ruger switched to another barrel maker. This was in the first year or so of production. After that accuracy out of the box was pretty much like any other rifle. With factory ammo, you sometimes got lucky & got a tack-driver & sometimes not so lucky. That being said, I believe that very few Ruger #1's or #3's can't be made to "really shoot" by handloading & a "skilled tinkerer"! (You can interpret my definition of "skilled-tinkerer" for yourself - LOL!)
Many hunters that love the beauty of these rifles & the single-shot challenge just accept adequate accuracy & go hunting. I believe there are still some bargain number 1's out there that shooters have given up on trying to make accurate - BUT they can be fixed!
After floating the forend, the barrel to hangar tuner is the most notable "fix". This can be as simple as experimenting with wedges or the shooter can buy an adjustable gadget sold specifically for this. Or the hangar can be drilled & tapped for this. Of course, just like any other rifle, #1's & #3's respond well to a custom handload. There are a number of other accuracy tweaks as well. There also is a very good after market trigger available.
My understanding is that some of the very early #1's had some barrel quality issues that created accuracy problems. Once the problem was identified Ruger switched to another barrel maker. This was in the first year or so of production. After that accuracy out of the box was pretty much like any other rifle. With factory ammo, you sometimes got lucky & got a tack-driver & sometimes not so lucky. That being said, I believe that very few Ruger #1's or #3's can't be made to "really shoot" by handloading & a "skilled tinkerer"! (You can interpret my definition of "skilled-tinkerer" for yourself - LOL!)
Many hunters that love the beauty of these rifles & the single-shot challenge just accept adequate accuracy & go hunting. I believe there are still some bargain number 1's out there that shooters have given up on trying to make accurate - BUT they can be fixed!
After floating the forend, the barrel to hangar tuner is the most notable "fix". This can be as simple as experimenting with wedges or the shooter can buy an adjustable gadget sold specifically for this. Or the hangar can be drilled & tapped for this. Of course, just like any other rifle, #1's & #3's respond well to a custom handload. There are a number of other accuracy tweaks as well. There also is a very good after market trigger available.
- Status
