Ruger No. 1 in 257 Roberts

[marksman13]

I’ve got a chance to pick one of these rifles NIB for $1000. Pretty sure I’m going to snatch it up. Anything in particular I need to about it? If it shoots half as good as my No. 1 257 WM, I’ll be happy with the accuracy. The rifle is about 10 years old which puts it in the golden age for No. 1 accuracy, right?


Sorry about the earlier post. I started it at work and apparently, typed up a heck of a message and posted it, from my pocket.

 

[Steve S.]

The fish aren’t biting.
(Edit): 13, I thought that you were a hipster troll communicating in some alien language. Your pocket typing had me fooled.
I owned two No.1’s back in yesteryear (mid 80’s but I am guessing) a .300 WM and a 22-250; they both shot horrible with available factory ammo of that time. I was not a hand loader back then so hand load experimentation might have netted better results.
With all that said, a pristine No.1 in .257 for $1k in these times is a tempting venture. I would think that the money will become less important than the pride of ownership over time - should be a good purchase.

 

[marksman13]

The fish aren’t biting.

I wish I had been fishing.

 

[Olympus]

It really doesn't matter. At $1000, even if it doesn't shoot very well you can still sell it for a healthy profit.

 

[Frulk]

I’m looking at a local site that has two #1’s in 45-70 each for $1000. A 25-06 #1 just sold for $875. I think that range is about average for a #1 unless you’re looking at an oddball caliber with possibly a mannlicher stock etc. that makes it stick out from its peer group. I should point out none are listed as NIB.

 

[Olympus]

I’m looking at a local site that has two #1’s in 45-70 each for $1000. A 25-06 #1 just sold for $875. I think that range is about average for a #1 unless you’re looking at an oddball caliber with possibly a mannlicher stock etc. that makes it stick out from its peer group. I should point out none are listed as NIB.

They are selling for more than that on GB assuming they are in really good shape.

 

[marksman13]

I’m looking at a local site that has two #1’s in 45-70 each for $1000. A 25-06 #1 just sold for $875. I think that range is about average for a #1 unless you’re looking at an oddball caliber with possibly a mannlicher stock etc. that makes it stick out from its peer group. I should point out none are listed as NIB.

The seller threw in 4 boxes of Hornady ammo, so I’m probably pretty close to that $875 mark for the actual rifle. I told him I would come get it when I get off work.

 

[Frulk]

I’d have no problem going $875 for a NIB Ruger #1 in a caliber that I really wanted. To me that would be a good deal.

 

[DocRock]

I would certainly pay a grand for that rifle. Love a No. 1 and 257 Roberts is very cool. My experience with No 1&3 is hit or miss on initial accuracy, but they can all be made accurate without too much fuss. The info is readily available on the web, but before playing with barrel pressure etc, try seating depth and shoulder position. In my experience - a 30-06, a 270 Win, and a friend's 35 Whelen, rimless cartridges in the Ruger action are very sensitive to differences in seating depth (like 'em long) and like the lightest of crush fits. The only one I've held onto is a No. 3 in 30-40. That's a sub-MOA rifle with 180s and loooooves the Berger 175 grs VLD.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I worked up some loads for an aquaintance back in early’80’s.
I found that due to a longish throat, that it preferred heavier bullets.

H4831, IMR4831, and IMR4350 are the usual “suspects” to start load development with.
H414 and H380 give stellar performance in my E.R.SHAW barrel on my M98 action.

Some Ruger .257’s have shorter throats so won’t take the powder charges my 3” chamber will.

I had a Ruger M77MkII in .257 that liked 38.0gr of IMR3031 with a 100gr Hornady PtSpt at 2.78” or SAAMI Max OAL. Strange rifle! Reported to be original factory load in early ‘30’s.
It liked a Berger 115gr VLD over 45.0gr of IMR4831 for 3,000fps, too! Go figure!

A handloaded .257Roberts is only slightly behind the .25/06. Especially if your #1 has a 26”bbl.

 

[marksman13]

I worked up some loads for an aquaintance back in early’80’s.
I found that due to a longish throat, that it preferred heavier bullets.

H4831, IMR4831, and IMR4350 are the usual “suspects” to start load development with.
H414 and H380 give stellar performance in my E.R.SHAW barrel on my M98 action.

Some Ruger .257’s have shorter throats so won’t take the powder charges my 3” chamber will.

I had a Ruger M77MkII in .257 that liked 38.0gr of IMR3031 with a 100gr Hornady PtSpt at 2.78” or SAAMI Max OAL. Strange rifle! Reported to be original factory load in early ‘30’s.
It liked a Berger 115gr VLD over 45.0gr of IMR4831 for 3,000fps, too! Go figure!

A handloaded .257Roberts is only slightly behind the .25/06. Especially if your #1 has a 26”bbl.

This one has the lighter 22” barrel, but my 257 WM has a 28” tube if I really want to sling a tiny pill at screaming velocities.

Thanks for the load info. I don’t reload yet, but I feel like the day is coming.

 

[marksman13]

Just picked it up. This rifle is much more “handy” than my 28” barreled No. 1. I just hope she’s a shooter.

 

[pert near]

For a Ruger #1 in excellent condition a grand is a fair price. Post a picture if you can. A lot of #1's have awesome wood!

 

[marksman13]

For a Ruger #1 in excellent condition a grand is a fair price. Post a picture if you can. A lot of #1's have awesome wood!

I’ll post some pictures later. The wood on this one is pretty mediocre. It’s not bad, but it won’t blow anybody away either.

 

[Archie]

I have a No. 1 in .257 Roberts as well. Accuracy is suitable for shooting most critters from deer down. Accuracy is not what I would consider bench rest material. However, I do have a thing for the No. 1 rifle anyway.

 

[marksman13]

Got a couple pictures of the 257 Bob hanging out with it’s big brother. Like I said earlier, the wood is not great on this rifle, but it is far from ugly. Now I just need a 25-06 and either a 308 or 6.5x55 in the RSI configuration and I’ll be content.

Side note, Dad always talked about wanting a No. 1 RSI in either 308 or 25-06. I don’t believe the latter has ever been produced. At any rate, he never could justify spending the money on himself, so he never owned one. He’s the reason I decided to buy a Ruger No. 1 in the first place, and the reason both of them are 25 caliber rifles. It only seemed appropriate to throw one of his old leather slings on the 257 Roberts. Love your dads while you can, folks. When they are gone, they are gone and all you’ll have left is memories and few physical reminders.

 

[Chief 101]

You can't go wrong with that #1...

 

[gotboostvr]

I'd absolutely love a #1 RSI in some Euro caliber, a 7mm Mauser or 9.3x whatever maybe even a 6.5 Swede.

Course, a regular #1 in a 30cal I'd be pretty happy with too.

 

[marksman13]

Finally got to shoot it this morning and it’s definitely a keeper. It’s not the nail driver that my 257 WM is, but it’s plenty accurate for a deer rifle and recoil is just about non-existent. Also, the sunlight brought out a little bit of character in the wood. The next step is finding a scope more suited for this rifle.

 

[Hookeye]

I like the B model in varmint cartridges, and the A model in deer stuff.
.250 sav or .257 Rob............in an A model...........perfect.
Wish they made em in .35 rem

 

[Hookeye]

Classic scopes look best on #1's IMHO, so that means something with a Leupold Vari X type of eyebell.
And gloss finish.
Which means..........a scope no longer in production.
Used prices have gone silly on that stuff (unfortunately).
Still old tech, and not worth what many are asking.

Recently scored a #1, an old pre B model still 26" w quarter rib no sights.
4 digit w the vertical rings, and a decent chunk of board (both sides).
In a deer cartridge (which makes it a real oddball for these parts).

Consequently the price was reasonable. Not what I wanted, but knew what it was on the rack so snagged it.
Hated to part with the cash, but sometimes you just gotta.

Sold my '85 RSI in .243 win, loud it was w 20" bbl. Wanted an A model, but none around at good price.
The ol lady was mad I sold the #1, she liked it (just for looks, she hates synth stocks).
So when I brought the latest home all was forgiven.

 

[Hookeye]

The vertical split rings were supposedly on the first 240 or so #1s.
I need an offset ring at the back to get some scopes right (I can't crawl the stock like I did when younger).
So the little circles of unobtanium are oiled and stashed.
Think they were lows anyway, and need medium. So got a 4B for the front coming, and 4BO for the back.,
Think an old M8 8X w AO would look great on the old rifle.

Been looking at mule deer hunts...........ouch. I really don't want to work overtime to afford one next yr.
40 hrs a week at my job is bad enough (hot place- summer- extra brutal).

 

[Hookeye]

This one of the worst in wood grain #1s ever, my old RSI in .243
It did however shoot cloverleafs at 75 yards ( zero distance due to 4x).

View attachment 927596

Blast was noticed on the shot, not next to any major trees for immediate bounceback.
Def want a 22" vs 20" (so dumped to hunt for an A model).

OP, w a 22" and .257 Roberts..............that ought to be a comfy rig. Congrats.

 

[Hookeye]

Lottery winner.............280 rem. 1967

View attachment 927598

If it doesn't shoot after minor effort, it will go bye bye to fund a custom.

 

[Hookeye]

Personally, a good wood B model in .243 win, and an A model in .35 rem............would be all the #1s I needed.
Chucks n deer, covered.

I thought a black synth stocked stainless A in custom 35 rem would be a solid (pun intended) deer rifle for any weather. Maybe blasphemous to go non blued/non walnut....but a gun you don't worry about bonking is a nice thing at times.

Have a 760 in .35 rem that does great, but it's not a #1.
That little RSI was not light, but the way it carried through the timber..........was a joy.

A joy.

Not kidding.

THAT is worth paying for.