Ruger #1 in 303

[Idaho Mule]

Anyone here using the fairly new Ruger #1 in 303 British? I would be interested in hearing what you have to say about the rifle and different loads. Thanks in advance. JW

[Crusty Deary Ol'Coot]

The 303 case is big enough to provide very respectable hunting loads, and reamed to an Ackley Improved would be a great conversation starter around the campfire.

Buy two of them, and I'll help you keep them fed and watered! :bigsmyl2:

CDOC

[rexherring]

Does the new one have the .308 or the .311 bore? Just curious.

[stocker]

The bore in mine actually measures .313. Not sure why they did this but .313 is actually what the original design spec'd, or at least within the range specified. I am finding my rifle to be quite accurate with an old Ideal single cavity 311299 which actually drops at .315 and has a nose section .3045-.305 on the parallel sides. Am getting Tom to make me a 3 cavity clone to same sizes albeit with a flat nose. The only J-bullets I have tried in it were some federal 180 grains bought at Wal Mart to get some brass. They shot 5 under an inch at 100 which was an indicator that I would become pretty fond of this rifle. Since building up a supply of brass I stripped the bore of copper and have put a few hundred cast bullets through it. They shoot equally well in the 1700-1900 FPS range. Haven't tried them faster yet. A cute little Leupold 1-4 scope tops it off and seems right for this rifle and cartridge.
I have not yet heard of anyone whose #1 bore did not slug at .313 so be sure to get a mould that drops a bit bigger than that. I have been lubing and sizing with a .314 die using Lar's C-red lube. If I had a .315 die I would try it but so far .314 has been working well.

[Idaho Mule]

stocker, thanks for the info, looks like I've got some measuring to do. I've got some soft bullets for 32-20, will drive one of them thru the bore. What alloy are you using? I have a 314299 mold, am debating on #2 alloy or 75% WW + 25% soft with a touch of tin. What powder are you using for the cast? Thanks, JW

[stocker]

Idaho Mule: Mostly using COWW + 2%Sn although I sometimes add 40% pure when I have it on hand. Stock of pure is badly diminished right now though. Have been loading with Unique, 2400 and 4227. If you go to Accurate Molds web site the mould I am having made is in his catalogue as #31-200M (I think it is). It is designed to just kiss the lands and to allow a bit of bite on the parallel nose sides as they enter the rifling. A little different than a typical bore ride but I wanted a boolit that would enter the chamber pretty much freely every time so I didn't have to force a cartridge home with my arthritic thumbs.

[o6Patient]

303 surplus rifles killed a lot of game up in Canada over the years..especially after they
figured out the surplus FMJ bullets were not the best deer loads. .303 is a fine deer cal.