New No.1's?

[NHlever]

I am getting the urge for one, or more of the limited No.1's that are available right now. (.257 Roberts, 30-30, and 303 British No.1 A's) They are not cheap guns, and I would like some input on how the recent ones are shooting. Some of my experience with the older ones has made me a bit more cautious than I used to be, but I really like the No.1 A's, and the 45-70's etc.. Don't care so much for the heavy forend models. :D Any input, especially on these particular guns would be very welcome!

[tdd4570]

It is my understanding that the 303 Brit has made it to regular production. I was seriously looking at one, but now I don't feel the urgency due to it being cataloged.

I have seen one .257 Roberts in stainless/walnut. Nice fit and finish, but not exceptional wood.

Haven't heard anything about how they have been shooting.

Dave

[Bullshop]

Why did they choose the 303 instead of the 30/40?
I also wonder what barrel groove dimensions they use for the 303 barrels?

[wsjones]

The one I bought last year, a Medium Sporter in 9.3xx74R, is very nice looking and so far seems tolerably accurate, although I've shot factory Lapua 286 gr ammo through and haven't yet worked up any handloads. -WSJ

[BruceB]

My experience with the #1 is long but rather thin. I presently own just two, one being the #1H (Tropical) in .416 Rigby (a Christmas gift from 1995) and the other is a new rifle in .303 British. The .303 is exactly the same length as my Marlin .32 Special carbine, meaning a handy package indeed. The .416 shoots extremely well with the RCBS 416-350 design.

Due to medical issues, I have yet to do any cast-bullet work with the .303, but I certainly had no trouble getting it zeroed with jacketed loads. The groups were in the order of about 2" at 100 yards as I recall, with a load basically pulled out of the manual without any particular reason for doing so....just a middle-of-the-road recipe. The scope is a 1.5-4.5X variable, and I may change to a higher magnification for load work. This rifle was one of my reasons for buying the new 316299 mould from NOE....I had the mould before the rifle became available. All of my .303s are awaiting their chance with the new bullet.

Once I get back to normal loading routines, I'll post results. (My .303s span almost a century, being .built in 1914, 1955 and 2010.) I "need" just one more, that being a #5 "Jungle Carbine". The cartridge is one of my favorites, and putting it in the Ruger #1 was a VERY smart move in my book. I think it's the full equal of the .308, and that's pretty decent company.

I could hunt anything in North America with perfect confidence, using either a .303 or .30-40 Krag...with MY ammunition (215 or 220 grain softpoints are effective gamekillers, to say the least.)

The #1 in both .257 and .303 should only weigh about seven pounds. It's hard to imagine a neater rifle for general hunting!

[Doc Highwall]

I would like to see them offer it in 22Lr with a 28" barrel.

[Shooter6br]

Love my 45-70 stainless /laminate. Shoots cast better than i can hold. Has a short throat . I bought one finally "Buy the best you can afford and cry only once"

[Shooter6br]

Ruger at work :redneck:

[NHlever]

Why did they choose the 303 instead of the 30/40?
I also wonder what barrel groove dimensions they use for the 303 barrels?

It's my understanding that a group of Canadian shooters helped that decision along. I wonder about the barrel dimensions too, but I know the guy that runs the GFM department, and I can assure you that it will be to SAMMI specs if they exist for that caliber.

[NHlever]

My experience with the #1 is long but rather thin. I presently own just two, one being the #1H (Tropical) in .416 Rigby (a Christmas gift from 1995) and the other is a new rifle in .303 British. The .303 is exactly the same length as my Marlin .32 Special carbine, meaning a handy package indeed. The .416 shoots extremely well with the RCBS 416-350 design.

Due to medical issues, I have yet to do any cast-bullet work with the .303, but I certainly had no trouble getting it zeroed with jacketed loads. The groups were in the order of about 2" at 100 yards as I recall, with a load basically pulled out of the manual without any particular reason for doing so....just a middle-of-the-road recipe. The scope is a 1.5-4.5X variable, and I may change to a higher magnification for load work. This rifle was one of my reasons for buying the new 316299 mould from NOE....I had the mould before the rifle became available. All of my .303s are awaiting their chance with the new bullet.

Once I get back to normal loading routines, I'll post results. (My .303s span almost a century, being .built in 1914, 1955 and 2010.) I "need" just one more, that being a #5 "Jungle Carbine". The cartridge is one of my favorites, and putting it in the Ruger #1 was a VERY smart move in my book. I think it's the full equal of the .308, and that's pretty decent company.

I could hunt anything in North America with perfect confidence, using either a .303 or .30-40 Krag...with MY ammunition (215 or 220 grain softpoints are effective gamekillers, to say the least.)

The #1 in both .257 and .303 should only weigh about seven pounds. It's hard to imagine a neater rifle for general hunting!

Good luck with your medical recovery Bruce! We all have something it seems, but hopefully you will be shooting the big ones soon. Any idea what the bore slugs on your 303? I've handled a .257 Roberts, and if it weren't for the snowstorm yesterday, I would probably be on my way to buy it now........ my wallet is thanking messy roads so far today. :D

[NHlever]

Yes, the .303 is a regular catalog item, but the other two are distributor runs. I have handled a .257 Roberts, and it sure felt good.......... very well balanced. I am intrigued by the .303 too for some reason though I am a pretty strong 30-30 guy usually. It just seems like a nice match. Perhaps it is because I had the privilege to work with a .303 British double rifle that a man I worked for had......... sure wish his widow hadn't sold that one in the bunch. I was 15 at the time, and there was no way I could have scraped up the money for it anyway I guess, but it was a pleasure working up cast loads that shot to the sights, and heading for the deer woods with that one! That man was one fine mentor, and I sure was lucky to know him.

Hmm, guess my other posts did post........ sorry about the multiple posts.

[Bullshop]

When the #3 was in production I decided that I needed one in each caliber.
The specimen I obtained in 30/40 was re stocked in #1 wood and was by far my most favorite of all. With it I killed the biggest black bear I have ever taken. After it was tanned it went 6' 11" from the nose to the root of the tail.
After selling all the #3's over the years the 30/40 has been the one I most often wish I could replace. Maybe just maybe that is now possible in the 303.

[x101airborne]

I used to own a #1A in 257 bob. That *** wouldnt shoot a 5 minute 5 shot group under 3 inches handloaded or factory. My gunsmith suggested of all things, sawing the rib in half to relieve pressure on the barrel. I took it home, put it up for a while, then traded it off to another sucker for a python. Funny thing... that python shot just as crappy as the ruger. Traded the python for two savage rifles. Both shoot under .5 at 100 yards. Go figure.

[NHlever]

I used to own a #1A in 257 bob. That *** wouldnt shoot a 5 minute 5 shot group under 3 inches handloaded or factory. My gunsmith suggested of all things, sawing the rib in half to relieve pressure on the barrel. I took it home, put it up for a while, then traded it off to another sucker for a python. Funny thing... that python shot just as crappy as the ruger. Traded the python for two savage rifles. Both shoot under .5 at 100 yards. Go figure.

I had the same problem years ago with a couple of No.1 A's, and that experience makes me a little leary. On the other hand I've had a couple that shot pretty well, and they are a very fast gun for me to place an accurate shot with. The ones I owned were made after they stopped using the Douglas barrels, and before they started cold forging their own, and I do know that the quality of their barrels is much better, and more consistant these days...... but no one wants to get burned with a pretty expensive gun.

[bcr]

Love my 45-70 stainless /laminate. Shoots cast better than i can hold. Has a short throat . I bought one finally "Buy the best you can afford and cry only once"

Is the short throat an advantage?

[9.3X62AL]

Is the short throat an advantage?

Another #1 x 45-70 owner here. The short throat could potentially limit the types of bullets/boolits usable in the rifle. That said, my example is accurate as all get-out, with .459" throat and grooves , "8 rights" land pattern @ .449" and 50/50 land/groove ratio. Twist is 1-20".

[scb]

When the #3 was in production I decided that I needed one in each caliber.
The specimen I obtained in 30/40 was re stocked in #1 wood and was by far my most favorite of all. With it I killed the biggest black bear I have ever taken. After it was tanned it went 6' 11" from the nose to the root of the tail.
After selling all the #3's over the years the 30/40 has been the one I most often wish I could replace. Maybe just maybe that is now possible in the 303.

Cabelas had them back in July. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=88201. I still have my #3 so I didn't feel the need to run out and get one, but I kinda wish I had.

[Trapaddict]

Love my #1 45/70. Sorely regret passing on a Laminated stainless in .405 Win last year. Love the guns!

Jeff

[idahoron]

For a while I have been thinking about a #1 in a 257 Rob. I don't own a 1/4" bore. Now I am thinking that might not be a good idea. Anyone with good news? Ron

[Heavy lead]

I've got a 25-06 stainless number one that thinks it's a bench rest rifle. Wonderfull rifle.

[Four Fingers of Death]

From Ruger's point of view the 303 would be a much better proposition. 30/40 Ammo is only avaible in the States and then only sporadically I would imagine wheras the 303 is readily available pretty much anywhere in the word (apart from Russia I suppose.

My impression of it was that initially it was a run for the Canadian market, but ended up stirrign up a lot of interest and then it was to make it a standard chambering.

A rimmed cartridge should be a better choice in a single shot.

I have 2 x 338WMs in Ruger no 1s. One is a 1B and the other a sporter (1A I think it is). When I figure out whichone is the most accurate, I will probably re-barrel the other to 270W or 303. Can't decide

[fireball168]

Cabelas had them back in July. [url]....... I still have my #3 so I didn't feel the need to run out and get one, but I kinda wish I had.

There are still some around at the Cabela's in Indiana/Illinois/Michigan and Wisconsin.

[Combat Diver]

Looks like Ruger just announced for Lipsey the No 1A Light Sporter in .35 Whelen at the SHOT show.

http://www.gunblast.com/SHOT_2011_1.htm

http://www.gunblast.com/images/SHOT2011/Day1/DSC02798.JPG

CD

[JesterGrin_1]

A Ruger No 1 Heavy would be nice in 35 Whelen. :)

[Four Fingers of Death]

How do you get a gun bearer like that?? 35Whelan would be nice

[white eagle]

my 25-06 as well shoots really small groups
I have another in 220 swift ai that is equally as accurate
workin on cast for that one at the time

[rockrat]

I have a K1-A light sporter in 35 whelen (stainless/walnut special run) and it is a handful. Would have been better in a medium sporter.
My 405 shoots well, as well as my 357 max, my 7.62 x39 and my 375 H&H does cast under an inch (310gr@2000fps). My 460 S&W, about 1.5-2" with cast and about an inch w/j-words.
Wish Ruger would bring out the 260rem. Would be easy since they chambered the 6.5 Swede in the #1

[skeettx]

One of my Favorite Ruger #1s is my 38-55, what a treat to shoot with cast bullets
Mike

[Shooter6br]

My Ruger NO 1 in SS with laminate Throat is short but i use 350 to 405 grainers.

[Shooter6br]

Here is the no 1 S/S laminate:drinks:

[AkMike]

I'll tag this on if you don't mind...

I need some 1 H parts. I have an ad down in WTB area. Basicly a rib and sights for a 458 1H and maybe forearm if anyone has some..
Thanks

[Tom W.]

I have two # B's and wouldn't mind getting the .475 Linebaugh model....

[cajun shooter]

My first #1 was a Liberty model in 22-250 with the heavy barrel. I was into blowing up crows when deer season was over and loved the looks and feel of a #1. I was very upset when my favorite H380 load would only shoot pie plate groups at the 100 yard mark. I then went to every one trying to find out my problem. Al Gore had yet to invent the PC in 1976 for us common folk. I finally after about 6 months of failure talked to a man who asked me if I had tried loosing or tightening the fore arm screw. There was a way that a lot of the rifles came with the fore arm touching the barrel and mine was one of them. A little dye and some sanding made that rifle into a real shooter. Three shots that you could cover with a dime. I would love one in 45-70 but have stayed away because of owners having problems with the heavy bullets.

[hk33ka1]

I believe the .303 Brit No.1 was requested by members of a Canadian shooting forum "Canadian Gun Nutz". I didn't follow all of the threads, but it was a long running idea ending with Ruger actually producing the rifle.