Indulge me...Ruger no 1 thoughts.

[Certus]

The romance of the #1 is pretty simple to explain. The shorter action length allows a full length barrel to carry like a carbine, thus they are the optimal stalking rifle.

The other thing about them is they were sold at a loss or break-even by Bill Ruger for nearly half a century because he liked falling blocks. When you drop $2k on one, you're getting a lot better made rifle than any other modern rifle at the same pricepoint.

The last thing about them is that they have upward potential and 99% of rifles do not. Meaning? If you buy a carbon fiber wiz-bang and start throwing accessories and upgrades all over it, its not worth a damned thing more than it was originally. But a Ruger #1? I've seen many embellished #1s cross the $10,000 threshold because the canvas can endure additional embellishment. (engraving, custom stocks, custom sights, custom barrels, custom chambers, etc, etc.)

If you have the budget, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the Dakota Model 10 is a superior rifle, but they start used at around $6000 and a #1 Ruger hovers around $2000. The quality differential is reflected in the price, both excellent at their prevailing prices.

Heck H&H built a 500/465 on a No1, they must be ok

 

[Tam Dl]

At the risk of being ostracized on AH, I’m here to help! Lol. Having been shot at, charged and enlisted to hcatch a few poachers in Africa, I would no more take a Ruger #1 to Africa than a BB gun. There, I said it! Flame away!!

The problem with that theory is that if it were sound, one would only carry semi auto rifles after African Game (because the point is so valid they would be widely legal). Or levers (in the few appropriate calibers), or things like the Blaser. Maybe doubles, though that tends to fall off in practicality when the game that is being played is against poachers. Of course one can make a stand on the fact that the No 1 is just that much slower...

The reality is most outsiders can't hunt DG without a professional, who might prefer the person whom they are there to assist, to take one very careful shot, and then by agreement, the pro takes over if it is a fail. That could be varied if the first shot is at a lion fully concealed behind a bush at 100 yards, as in one story I read. LOL

What about two No 1s and a gun bearer. Get things back to an earlier time.

Obviously what follows are very light loads. But it shows how fast a lever can be (and it never need run dry). And also you will notice how fast he shoots a shotgun while loading it only one round at a time (designed to level the playing field between levers, pumps, and doubles in the shotgun section).

So how slow is a Ruger No 1, if the person shooting it actually gets some training time in? Smooth is fast.

I would prefer some serious leather for the cartridges, high belt position. Further to reach but a lot more ergo and reliable than some of the stretch options on wrists and butts I have seen. This wouldn't be my choice of approach, but it shows keep the gun on the shoulder, and find the simplest mode of operation, in this case for a single shot shotgun.

"I need to know how to run the gun I've got"

 

[Hooked Now]

All this has done is convinced me that at some point I should own a No1. Maybe not as my prime DG gun, and maybe in a caliber that violates one of my rules, but some nice .30/7mm family with pretty wood and case hardening might be just the ticket. Once I get all of my safaris, taxidermy and plane tickets paid for of course. I do greatly appreciate all that everyone shared and your pictures. There was a serious lack of limerick, but I'll excuse the oversight.

Had a good practice session with the .375 bolt gun off sticks yesterday. That'll just have to do for now.

 

[Scott CWO]

The problem with that theory is that if it were sound, one would only carry semi auto rifles after African Game (because the point is so valid they would be widely legal). Or levers (in the few appropriate calibers), or things like the Blaser. Maybe doubles, though that tends to fall off in practicality when the game that is being played is against poachers. Of course one can make a stand on the fact that the No 1 is just that much slower...

The reality is most outsiders can't hunt DG without a professional, who might prefer the person whom they are there to assist, to take one very careful shot, and then by agreement, the pro takes over if it is a fail. That could be varied if the first shot is at a lion fully concealed behind a bush at 100 yards, as in one story I read. LOL

What about two No 1s and a gun bearer. Get things back to an earlier time.

Obviously what follows are very light loads. But it shows how fast a lever can be (and it never need run dry). And also you will notice how fast he shoots a shotgun while loading it only one round at a time (designed to level the playing field between levers, pumps, and doubles in the shotgun section).

So how slow is a Ruger No 1, if the person shooting it actually gets some training time in? Smooth is fast.

I would prefer some serious leather for the cartridges, high belt position. Further to reach but a lot more ergo and reliable than some of the stretch options on wrists and butts I have seen. This wouldn't be my choice of approach, but it shows keep the gun on the shoulder, and find the simplest mode of operation, in this case for a single shot shotgun.

"I need to know how to run the gun I've got"

I’m just more about practicality and function over form. I have two semi-custom AHR CZ 550 bolt action rifles. One 375 H&H and one 458 Lott that are setup for Alaska. These rifles hold six and five rounds down. I also have a Dakota 76 Traveler for Africa. It holds six 375 H&H rounds down and five 458 Lott rounds down. Just makes more sense to me for dangerous game and remote third world countries.

As for semiautomatic rifles, not a fan of those for big game hunting due to accuracy concerns and cleaning issues, even where legal, but I do like semiautomatic rifles in 22LR for small game and small varmints. If I won’t hunt with a rifle, then I won’t own it. That said, I do appreciate the simplicity and beauty of the Ruger No 1 and my comment was somewhat in jest. Shoot whatever floats your boat!

Take it from me as an outfitter-guide for 35 years, the professional shooters you mention aren’t really a good comparison to a lot of hunters!

 

[rookhawk]

It seems with 100% frequency people conflate single shot rifles with dangerous game hunting with single shot rifles. Two totally different topics.

Make your first shot count on non-dangerous game and a single shot is just as viable as a bow, double rifle, bolt action, lever action, or semi-automatic. People that argue they need more sort of scare me because the conversation meanders into terms like "anchoring shot" and other ways to say they need lots of bullets to kill non-dangerous game. (aka slinging lead)

Feel free to argue whether its a good idea to have a single shot while hunting dangerous game with an armed PH backing you. Feel free to argue whether you should be alone in Alaska / The West in Grizzly country all by your lonesome with a single shot.

The strawman argument is that you must be prepared for all scenarios via a multi-shot firearm is like saying you should never be outside without a shotgun to shoot venomous snakes.

 

[Art Lambart II]

On my one and only Buffalo hunt I used my No.1 in 416 Rigby, as you can see from my posted pictures eariler and my avatar the hunt turned out well, but it was more exciting than I wanted. My PH and I where charged at 7 yards by my buff and chased off by a bull elephant in the span of 20 minutes. I must admit at those moments the availbilty of a second quick shot would have beed comforting. Will I use my No.1 for DG again, of course I will, but I learned alot on my 1st DG hunt and I'll do things a little diffrent on my next one.

 

[DJStang]

I got the No 1 bug about 10 years ago, before the prices really started to climb. I currently have 5: a 7x57, 35 Whelen, 375 H&H, 458 Lott, and 450/400. We've shot bison with the Lott. It just flattens them.

 

[DJStang]

Shooting a 500 grain Hornady DGX, it just dropped this bison and he never moved. I feel this rifle is very comfortable to shoot. I swapped out the hard recoil pad with a limb saver pad. It has the heavy Tropical barrel and weighs 11.4 lbs with the scope.

 

[Scott CWO]

It seems with 100% frequency people conflate single shot rifles with dangerous game hunting with single shot rifles. Two totally different topics.

Make your first shot count on non-dangerous game and a single shot is just as viable as a bow, double rifle, bolt action, lever action, or semi-automatic. People that argue they need more sort of scare me because the conversation meanders into terms like "anchoring shot" and other ways to say they need lots of bullets to kill non-dangerous game. (aka slinging lead)

Feel free to argue whether its a good idea to have a single shot while hunting dangerous game with an armed PH backing you. Feel free to argue whether you should be alone in Alaska / The West in Grizzly country all by your lonesome with a single shot.

The strawman argument is that you must be prepared for all scenarios via a multi-shot firearm is like saying you should never be outside without a shotgun to shoot venomous snakes.

Haha you went a little too far there but that’s okay, friend.

 

[camlo]

I have been a life long fan of the Ruger No1 since my father brought his first one home. I appreciate their elegance and function. When I booked my first Safari I made it very clear to the PH that I would be using a No1 in 416 RM with iron sights. He had no qualms about that so the hunt was on.

The first thing I would recommend to someone new to the platform is to add mercury recoil reducers to help balance the heavy barrel contour and to reduce felt recoil. I shoot a lot of heavy 12ga loads and to me this rifle is no worse than that. The second thing I would do is to shave the front of the safety down when planning to hunt DG to allow the spent casing a path to eject freely. Other than that practice reloading and enjoy.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

View attachment 674076

I have been a life long fan of the Ruger No1 since my father brought his first one home. I appreciate their elegance and function. When I booked my first Safari I made it very clear to the PH that I would be using a No1 in 416 RM with iron sights. He had no qualms about that so the hunt was on.

The first thing I would recommend to someone new to the platform is to add mercury recoil reducers to help balance the heavy barrel contour and to reduce felt recoil. I shoot a lot of heavy 12ga loads and to me this rifle is no worse than that. The second thing I would do is to shave the front of the safety down when planning to hunt DG to allow the spent casing a path to eject freely. Other than that practice reloading and enjoy.

Look at how the light brings out the grain on that No1! And what a spectacular bull.

 

[camlo]

Look at how the light brings out the grain on that No1! And what a spectacular bull.

Thank you Sir, I lucked out when I found this one. The bull green scored 43-1/8.

 

[camlo]

Thank you Sir, I lucked out when I found this one. The bull green scored 43-1/8.

 

[Ryan]

I own two and love them both. A basic #1 in 30-06 I picked up brand new and one in 300 Win Mag I got used that has some interesting custom wood. Both weigh 9 pounds, 3 ounces with a scope and shoot quite well. If I didn't already own Ruger M77 in 375 Ruger I'd be inclined to get a #1 in 375 H&H. My M77 weighs 10 pounds, 3 ounces scoped and I enjoy shooting it. So if the Ruger #1 Tropical was close to that I don't see an issue with it in 375 H&H for dangerous game. Not so sure about something larger caliber, but I wouldn't rule it out either.

Here's my two along with my Thompson/Center Encore. I will say that Encore at eight pounds even is not something I'd go beyond the 30-06 it's chambered in.

Yes, I'd use a #1 for dangerous game. Craig Boddington has used one for a few buffalo as I recall. And Frederick Courtney Selous used a Farquharson single shot rifle for his later safaris, which is what the #1 is based on and survived to tell the tale.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I own two and love them both. A basic #1 in 30-06 I picked up brand new and one in 300 Win Mag I got used that has some interesting custom wood. Both weigh 9 pounds, 3 ounces with a scope and shoot quite well. If I didn't already own Ruger M77 in 375 Ruger I'd be inclined to get a #1 in 375 H&H. My M77 weighs 10 pounds, 3 ounces scoped and I enjoy shooting it. So if the Ruger #1 Tropical was close to that I don't see an issue with it in 375 H&H for dangerous game. Not so sure about something larger caliber, but I wouldn't rule it out either.

Here's my two along with my Thompson/Center Encore. I will say that Encore at eight pounds even is not something I'd go beyond the 30-06 it's chambered in.View attachment 674112

Yes, I'd use a #1 for dangerous game. Craig Boddington has used one for a few buffalo as I recall. And Frederick Courtney Selous used a Farquharson single shot rifle for his later safaris, which is what the #1 is based on and survived to tell the tale. View attachment 674113

I have the exact same No1 in 30-06 and it shoots well.
I had one in 375 H&H and it wasn't bad on recoil.

 

[sestoppelman]

Big fan here too, have owned them in several calibers and sizes, but they do hurt in the big bores. Biggest I have now is the .405 Win and its not too bad in the Tropical weight.
Also have the 1S in .475 Linebaugh which is a rare and fun shooter, and a K1A in .257 Roberts a sweet rifle.
Many others have been thru here, some I miss, others I dont.

 

[Bush Buck]

I think No. 1s are great looking rifles - an awful lot of style and quality for the price - especially with iron sight and the Alexander Henry forend.

I read a while back that it is possible to create a take-down No. 1 by using a screw driver to remove the recoil pad and an extension socket to remove the butt stock.
It could then be transported in a light, compact case similar to a take-down Blaser.
It could be reassemble in Africa in about 15 minutes with no concern about affecting the sighting.
You'd need to pack the tools in the case of course - but it's an intriguing idea.

Has anyone tried this?

 

[Javaman]

Look at how the light brings out the grain on that No1! And what a spectacular bull.

+1! Both Spectacular!

 

[Riflecrank]

I own two and love them both. A basic #1 in 30-06 I picked up brand new and one in 300 Win Mag I got used that has some interesting custom wood. Both weigh 9 pounds, 3 ounces with a scope and shoot quite well. If I didn't already own Ruger M77 in 375 Ruger I'd be inclined to get a #1 in 375 H&H. My M77 weighs 10 pounds, 3 ounces scoped and I enjoy shooting it. So if the Ruger #1 Tropical was close to that I don't see an issue with it in Here's my two along with my Thompson/Center Encore. I will say that Encore at eight pounds even is not something I'd go beyond the 30-06 it's chambered in.View attachment 674112

Excellent illustration of how the Encore is about 6-5/8" shorter overall
while the Ruger No. 1 is about 4" shorter overall
than a bolt action rifle for same cartridge with same barrel length.

 

[Just a dude in BC]

I have not read all the replies, so apologies if what I am typing has been spelled out by others. But! Here is why I love Ruger no.1's.

1) There is a certain appeal to a single shot. I think it relates to the idea of the commitment to accuracy, to use single shots in the field is to say: "I intend to take exactly one perfect shot, and to have that shot settle the matter". This ideal appeals to me, single shots are a perfectionists rifle.
2) The length is a huge advantage. To use a single shot is not just to give up extra round in the magazine, there is a trade off, which allows you to save around 4" as other have pointed out. So if you want a handy gun to hop out of a vehicle with, or to backpack with, any No1 with a 22" barrel is the ticket.
3) The Strength! There are lots of single shots that take advantage of the first two points. BUT, unless they are also a falling block based single shot (like the M10) they will not nearly be as strong. And the strength of a Ruger No.1 is no joke. I have two in DG calibers, a 500NE and a 450/400. And those two can be safely loaded up such that the 450/400 hits the 404 jeff levels of energy. And the 500NE hits 505 gibbs levels of energy... However... Your shoulder may disagree with this practice.
4) Ease of making stocks, if you are a handy wood working guy, it is relatively easy to make a ruger no.1 stock. You just need a router table, and an angle grinder with a flap disk. With those two things it takes about a weekend to make both pieces of a stock, and have them sanded to the point they are ready for oil.
5) Accuracy. Yup... I said accuracy. Many bemoan the accuracy of the ruger No.1 but I have yet to own one that does not shoot. I do float the foregrips on mine, but that is standard accurizing for bolt action rifles as well. Once this has been done, every No.1 I have had shoots around or just under 1" when I do my part. The one exception is the 500NE, that shoots around 1/2", but that has a match grade stainless 50bmg barrel that was cut down and re chambered to 500ne. Alas the only way to get that accuracy is to shoot it off a bench, and that is horrendous.
6) Cals. A Ruger is a bit of a pain to change barrels on, as you need to change your extractor, and get the blank end milled for the extractor slot. BUT... It allows you to change a ruger to any cal you want. The same action can be a 7x57 OR a 500NE with a barrel swap.

Here is my favorite, the 500NE... We were tracking a buff when we came upon this sable, it was late in the morning so we figured why not, and it took a 600gr cup point solid through the chest. Stock made by yours truly.