Yet another question

[Voodooracer]

Hello everyone, first off, my apologies, I feel like a pain that I keep asking these types of questions constantly but you guys have more info than I ever will know haha. My boss is a gun enthusiast but not a hunter or big bore enthusiast like I am and he has 2 rifles he is willing to sell me, the first one is a ruger number one in 9.3x74r, I've been interested in one of these for a while now. The other rifle he has is a sako black bear in 9.3x63. He is asking $1,000 for the ruger and $1500 for the sako, both are new in box. I'm equally interested by both cartridges but am unsure of which would be the best route to go. Each one has it's merits and is similar in performance. I'm very comfortable using either a bolt action or a single shot in the field.
Thanks again,
Voodooracer

 

[Voodooracer]

Oops, correction, the sako is in 9.3x62, my fingers weren't cooperating when I was typing haha!

 

[Code4]

Both good and interesting rifles.
I'd buy the Ruger No.1. They have a strong action and you can hand load the 9.3x74 in them hotter than a 9.3x62 will ever go. If you don't hand load, the 9.3x62 due to more available and cheaper factory ammo.
I have never felt handicapped with a single shot.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I'd go with the Sako just because it's a Sako and I've always liked them. Nothing wrong with the Ruger, but the recoil might be a little stout.

 

[Voodooracer]

Thanks Code4, I am just finishing my reloading setup so that is going to be an absolute for the big bore shooting haha. I agree, i haven't felt the the least bit handicapped with a single shot. I always keep two extra rounds in between my fingers on my off hand in case I need a quick follow up shot on one of Pennsylvania's vicious whitetail deer hahah

 

[Voodooracer]

That is a good point too Phoenix Phil, the previous ruger number one I had in 450/400 n.e. was attention getting, I've fired an identical one in 375 h&h and it wasn't too bad. I'll have to have him bring both rifles in so I can handle them side by side to see which would fit better.

 

[James.Grage]

If this is your boss who you are looking at purchasing a gun from. Stop right there and say no to both rifles.

However if you continue on your road, i suggest that, you Look at the serial numbers and see how old the rifles are, you boss purchased these rifles as an investment and is looking at (turning) making a profit from you.

Now do your research to see what he paid for the rifles and make a fair offer.

This purposed purchase could affect your work relationship.

 

[Voodooracer]

Normally I would not purchase a rifle from a boss, but I work for a pretty close knit company and my boss has been a friend for quite some time, I asked him a lot of questions about the rifles and he showed me the receipts of what he ended up getting them for. He got them both as part of a collection purchase about 6 months ago and had been piecing out the guns he isn't going to shoot and use. He said he is open to offers on them.

 

[Voodooracer]

I ended up deciding on the ruger no.1 in 9.3x74r. I also ordered a leupold vx-r 2-7x33mm with the duplex firedot reticle. I'll post pictures when I get the scope and rings mounted

 

[tarbe]

Nice choice!

I also have always wanted a No 1 in 9.3x74R. Maybe some day!

 

[Voodooracer]

Thanks tarbe! I've been wanting one for a while and the right opportunity came along!

 

[sestoppelman]

I had that rifle once and nearly just bought another as I sold the first one to help finance my last hunt. It was a great shooter, very accurate and the recoil is about at the top of what is comfortable in a No. 1 rifle. They kick hard in the big calibers.

 

[Voodooracer]

I agree, the no.1 in 450/400 I had was a little unpleasant after several rounds. I looking forward to see how it shoots. I'm planning on using it as a medium range large game animal rifle. Probably max 200 yards. That is about as far as I'd feel comfortable shooting based on its trajectory.

 

[Velo Dog]

Voodooracer,

My very best good friend has taken the 9.3x74 to Africa twice now, once in a Ruger #1 like yours /4x Zeiss and once n a Simpson & Sohn drilling (12/12 over rifle barrel).

He said he will likely take one or the other in the future, if only hunting PG again (but for buffalo someday, he plans to bring something larger, just because it is good insurance and not all countries allow the 9.3 for buffaloes - it certainly will let the air out of a buffalo according to History though).

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[matt85]

i think you made a fine choice but then again both options were decent.

-matt

 

[enysse]

Congrats, on the purchase! Man you are on a roll, buying guns.

 

[Voodooracer]

Thanks haha, yea it's been an expensive few months hahahah. Fortunately the cost hasn't been too bad as I've been selling some guns I don't use anymore to help fund my big bore addiction haha. This will probably be the last gun I buy for a while, need to put that extra cash towards my first hunt in Africa!

 

[Voodooracer]

I picked up my ruger tonight and I'm very happy with it so far! I will have a leupold vx-r 2-7x32 mounted up tomorrow and bore sighted. Hopefully this weekend I'll get a chance to shoot it, a range report will follow!

 

[CAustin]

Voodooracer congrats on getting the Ruger #1 , I think you will be happy with the Ruger product. I've had a #1 for 14 years now and have taken it on two safaris and put a bunch of deer on the ground over that time. Mine is in 300 Win Mag which has been great on plains fame. Look forward to hearing how it does at the range!

 

[Voodooracer]

Thanks! I love how compact the 1-s models are. I picked up some 232grain loads, I may try for whitetail with it this year. I'm excited to see how it shoots!