Ruger #1 rebarrel and rechamber

[b money]

Hello all, I’m about to pick up a ruger number 1 chambered in 20 tactical. I honestly don’t think I want to get into 20 cal. It’s already been rechambered to this and has a composite stock on it so I’m not worried about loosing value or anything. I got it for a really good price so that is why I’m thinking about rechambering it. This will be a fun range gun and possibly a hunting gun if I go out of state(Illinois). I’d like to be able to load it up or down and be able to run cast and jacketed and just really have fun with it. So what caliber would you make it? I was thinking 45-70 I’ve wanted one for years. But was also thinking .223rem as it’s a fun light economical round but I’m open to any suggestions. Thanks!

[zymguy]

youll come across other platforms that will be good with .223 , this one is great fit for 45-70 . I vote 45-70

[Texas by God]

Rechambering will only get you a .204 Ruger, which would be fun.
Reboring by JES, .33caliber on up with lots of choices.
Rebarreling, the sky's the limit with a Ruger #1.
Decisions, decisions!

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[megasupermagnum]

I know if I could get a Ruger #1 in any caliber in the world, it would be the 9.3x74R. But you can buy them already chambered for that, so a reboring might not be the best thing ever. I know nothing of the 20 tactical, never heard of it. For all I know it is valuable.

[smithnframe]

I saw one recently at a gun show that was re-barreled to 600 Nitro Express!

[ohen cepel]

I am not into the .20 Tac, know almost nothing about it. However, I would shoot it some as it is if you have ammo for it. If it is an amazing one-hole rifle I may leave it alone.

45-70 or 30-06 would be my votes after that.

[John Taylor]

I have re-barreled many #1s and #3s. The books says you can load a 45-70 up to almost match a 458 mag but your shoulder will not like it. The largest I have done is 577 Nitro but I would not shoot it. At the time it was $34.50 for one round of ammo. It's a bit scary when you can see brass over the top of the breach block. I did one in 450 Nitro with a 30" bull barrel and though it would be safe to shoot, my shoulder hurt for a month after. I like the looks with an octagon barrel and found that they will sell quickly at a gun show.
As for what to chamber it in, 45-70 is fun and ammo can be found easy. The least expensive to shoot is the 22 LR and the recoil can be handled by almost anyone. The action does not need to be altered but the chamber end of the barrel is offset so the firing pin hits the rim. It's a little fun to do, I think the last one I did had the chamber at 12 o'clock. Rear sight has to be a bit higher. I guess it comes down to what you like to shoot and what it's going to be used for. The #1 will handle most calibers that are common but it is known for recoil with the bigger ones. I think I have a 45-70 ( #3 )and a 458 mag take off barrel if you would like to try.

[daved63]

I had a No. 1 rebarreled to 500 S&W. It is a fun gun to shoot and is great for cast boolits! I started with a No. 1H in 458 Win Mag, so I was able to reuse the sights and barrel band on the new barrel. There is a thread I posted here:
https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?422232-500-S-amp-W-Ruger-No-1

The possibilities are endless with the No. 1, the 45-70 is a good fit for it, the 444 Marlin would also be worthwhile. I passed up one that had been rebarreled to 444 Marlin at a local gun shop several years ago and have regretted not picking it up ever since.

[gwpercle]

For a Ruger #1 .... 45-70 is probably the most practical but some other interesting ideas :

38-55 Winchester
40-65 Winchester
40-70 Sharps Straight
405 Winchester ( Teddy Roosevelt's lion medicne )
30-40 Krag
303 British

Anything old and with a rim would be fun .
Gary

[brass410]

Love my #1 stainless in 45-70 its a "***** cat" with 300grns its an "enraged donkey" with 500grn at max, law of jungle applies.

[country gent]

The number 1s and most single shots are nice for this since they arent controlled by cartridge length like a repeater is. Just the head dia and what etractors can be made or are available.

45-70 would be fun and a handy rifle for most big game hunting.
38-55 would be the same and use less powder and lead, also lighter recoil
38-56 to be different brass would need to be made but it could be a lot of fun
any of the 40 cals again would be useful
32 - 40 in the tradition of the shutzen rifles would be a fun build
30-30 Might sound a little lame at first but as a deer rifle and cast bullet shooter would be interesting.

In the end there are a lot of factory calibers and wildcatts out there that an be used, in the end the decision is yours

[todd9.3x57]

isn't the 20 tac a re-work or just a necked down 223 rem case?

i have a tc encore with a 23" MGM barrel in 20 vartarg(necked down 221 rem fireball case). using careful handloads, it will go .1 - .2" at 100 yards(5 or 10 shots, bench). using sloppy reloads, it will do 1/2 - 3/4" at 100 yards. its a good little cartridge that doesn't require much powder to go 3600fps+.

fire forming at 200 yards with sloppy reloads
https://i.imgur.com/gcvWQte.jpg

20 vt
https://i.imgur.com/ELJg22f.jpg

[Mk42gunner]

If I were to rebarrel a No.1 or No.3, it would not be to any caliber that Ruger commonly chambered these rifles for.

If you enjoy recoil, go for something big. If not, try something that is easy to shoot.

If you go for a wildcat or an old more or less forgotten round, the cost of dies may be high.

With all that drivel written, I have always liked the idea of John Wooter's .25 Copperhead, basically a .25-.222 Remington. It would fit your existing extractor. But then I have always liked oddball cartridges.

Bottom line is: it is your rifle, you are the one that has to be happy with it.

Robert

[Shanghai Jack]

Well - I agree with everyone above. I like weird ones though. I have number ones in 32-40, 38-55, 40-65, 219 Donaldson Wasp, 30 Badger, 9.3 x 74R and 45-70. The 30 Badger is a hoot using less than 2 grains of powder per shot. The 9.3x74 is in reserve - saving it for 18-wheeler season. The 32-40 are all set up for breach-seating. Overall I have the most fun with the 32-40, the best accuracy with the 38-55, and the most flexibility with the 40-65. If I were starting over, I'd probably go with the 40-65 first. If reloading is an issue, then I'd go with the 45-70. Compared with some of the big 45's, the 45-70 is pleasurable to shoot.

[rockrat]

You might be able to send it to JES and have it re-bored and rechambered to 357Maximum or 38-55

[tarbe]

Another vote for 45-70.

I bought my first No 1 in 45-70 in 1974. Bought another around 2010.

My only 45-70 right now is a Shiloh Sharps Creedmoor Silhouette.

I have two No 1 rifles currently - 300 and 375 H&H. If I didn't love those two so much, I'd consider re-barreling one of them to 45-70!

[Jack Stanley]

I found a good price on a number one chambered in .270 Win. some time ago . Had the barrel replaced with a Green mountain thirty caliber barrel and had it chambered for the .30 Badger cartridge . It's an inexpensive plinker for me and lots of fun .

If your state allows the short straight wall cartridges I'd vote for the .357 maximum like Rockrat suggested . Though you probably could make the 350 legend work . A lot of deer are meeting an untimely end around here because of that .350 and I'm certain the maximum would do as well .

If you got the 45-70 itch ...... there's few other things that will scratch it .

Jack

[Jedman]

This thread got me to �� thinking, if I had a blank canvas like a no. 1 what would I like it to be chambered in ?
I really don’t know?????
Sorry I am no help.

Jedman

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I would play with the 20 Tactical before you change it. It uses .223 brass with simple case forming technique. Might be tricky to cast and finding making gas checks, but should be fun with jacketed, almost no recoil, better than .204 Ruger because brass is much more common. MidwayUSA lists the dies.

[pertnear]

I had my Ruger #3 barreled to a 6.8mm SPC. Great gun & cartridge for deer.

If you want common brass, fun plinking & suitable for cast bullets why not the .30-30. A rimmed cartridge is a natural fit for a single shot rifle.

[MOA]

Hello all, I’m about to pick up a ruger number 1 chambered in 20 tactical. I honestly don’t think I want to get into 20 cal. It’s already been rechambered to this and has a composite stock on it so I’m not worried about loosing value or anything. I got it for a really good price so that is why I’m thinking about rechambering it. This will be a fun range gun and possibly a hunting gun if I go out of state(Illinois). I’d like to be able to load it up or down and be able to run cast and jacketed and just really have fun with it. So what caliber would you make it? I was thinking 45-70 I’ve wanted one for years. But was also thinking .223rem as it’s a fun light economical round but I’m open to any suggestions. Thanks!

If it were me. All said. I'd do it in 45-90. You can still shoot 45-70 ammo in it. In almost all cases the boolit is already in the throat before the base has left the case mouth if using a 45-70 in it. Best of both worlds. Shooting black or smokeless, jacketed or cast, light or heavy for caliber. Lots of options with this caliber and not an expensive one either. Loaded for fun at the range or loaded with serious punch in the field. Yup, that's my two cents worth.

[Don Purcell]

.461 Gibbs No.2

[skeettx]

I am 73 and have relegated the strong kickers to the gun locker.
I would suggest a 22 or 6mm to you can use it longer during your life time
Mike

[No_1]

I re-barreled a #3 which was originally 223 to 22TCM. I also have a #1 in 357 Magnum that I have considered introducing a 357Max reamer to. I have both a #3 (miserable to shoot) and a #1 in 45-70. I feel the 45-70 is my most versatile rifle cartridge as I can load it down with Unique or spice it up with 4198 or 3031.

[Stephen Cohen]

Having fired my Good friends 45/70 no 1 with my cast loads I would not even consider the 223. You can load up or down with the 45/70 and enjoy the thrill of chucking a great chunk of lead into small groups. You have already discounted one sub caliber make it a clean sweep. Regards Stephen

[725]

No wrong answer from the long list of possibles. For me, I'd love to have a #1 in .270 Win or .30-06. A .30-30 wouldn't a slouch, either. Without the common requirement to shoot flat nosed bullets, that .30-30 could do plenty with the vast array of .30 cal bullets out there.

[No_1]

……A .30-30 wouldn't a slouch, either. Without the common requirement to shoot flat nosed bullets, that .30-30 could do plenty with the vast array of .30 cal bullets out there.

I have thought almost every time I look at my bucket full of 30-30 brass.

[Rick R]

A Ruger #1 you want to rebarrel is like a blank sheet of paper. You can write a love letter, compose a symphony or make a paper airplane.

I had a #1 rebarreled to .405, it was fun with cast boolits designed for .41 Magnum run at pistol velocities OR 400gr Woodleigh soft points at 450/400 tropic level copycat loads. I should never have traded that gun off.

I currently have a 20” #1 in .44 Magnum and Ruger got that barrel right. Loads that are ouchie in a pistol are like a popgun in the #1. Hornady XTP’s are one hole at 50 yards, 1 1/2” at 100.

I’d love to have a #1 in 9,3x74mm, that should be capable of great things.

[MOA]

Here's my 9.3
https://i.postimg.cc/vB7H3Hhn/TRANSFER-IMAGE-ABB-006.jpg (https://postimg.cc/njzJLx6V)

And my 450/400.
https://i.postimg.cc/NF4Fffrt/TRANSFER-IMAGE-ABB-003.jpg (https://postimg.cc/4HYsWG52)

Won't be letting these get away from me.:bigsmyl2:

[b money]

Thanks for all the replies! I do plan on getting an 1885 bpcr in 45-70 and also a 1895 marlin at some point so I’m leaning towards 45-70 to round out the future family lol. As far as 20 tactical I will keep the barrel but I’m just not excited about that one.

[Rick R]

Here's my 9.3
https://i.postimg.cc/vB7H3Hhn/TRANSFER-IMAGE-ABB-006.jpg (https://postimg.cc/njzJLx6V)

And my 450/400.
https://i.postimg.cc/NF4Fffrt/TRANSFER-IMAGE-ABB-003.jpg (https://postimg.cc/4HYsWG52)

Won't be letting these get away from me.:bigsmyl2:

Those are good looking rifles. The 9.3 really intrigues me as I have a couple 9.3x62 bolt guns already.


Thanks for all the replies! I do plan on getting an 1885 bpcr in 45-70 and also a 1895 marlin at some point so I’m leaning towards 45-70 to round out the future family lol. As far as 20 tactical I will keep the barrel but I’m just not excited about that one.

.45/70 is never a bad choice.

[MOA]

9.3x62 from what I remember is basically the non-rimmed version of the 9.3x74R for a bolt action of roughly the same power level. The one point I haven't looked onto yet is how well this cartridge will function if smokeless powder ever became impossible to get is since it is pretty much a straight walled case some black powder might be an alternative power source. Something I'll have to look into come warmer weather. Of course the 45-70 is a good choice for b money. Not much it can't do, or hasn't done already.

https://i.postimg.cc/bJddR98W/9.3_x_74R_with_06_in_background.jpg (https://postimg.cc/KkSZGL1D)
9.3x74R standing tall next to a much smaller 30-06.

[rockrat]

No. 1---I did introduce my 357mag to a 357max reamer.:bigsmyl2: It performs quite well!!!

[Preacher Jim]

Just a bit of help for # 3 shooters changing to a # 1 butt stock sure helps the recoil and they bolt right on

[atr]

ruger #1.....7x57!!!

[MOA]

Or 8x57, 9x57, 9.3x57, 9.3x72, or why not one of Ruger's limited production runs??? My favorite the 9.3x74R.[smilie=w:

[kgb]

Someday I'd like mine to be a .300 Savage. They've done the .250Sav, doesn't seem like the .300 will be any time soon.

[Golfswithwolves]

I am also one who likes the idea of rimmed cartridges in single shot rifles. So my thoughts would run to.307 Win, 30/40 Krag, .303 British, .30/30, 7X57R, or something similar.

[Green Frog]

I once bought a #1 that had been rebarreled to 32-40 by Bud Welch. I bought the rifle for the Unertl BV-20 it was wearing and since I already had two Winchester high walls in that caliber, sold the rifle. Sometimes I wish I had kept it, it shot very well. :???:

Froggie

[adcoch1]

I want a #1 in 444 marlin, and a 500s&w. Or any other #1 I could get my hands on. The #1 is the rifle that keeps eluding me. Never have the cash when I can find one...

[bcp]

25-35 Winchester: cast, plink, varmints, or deer.

30 Carbine: load like a 32-20, but with tough brass.

Bruce

[ogre]

If I had the scratch I would go for a .318 Westley Richards.

[Blanco]

I have a #1 in 7mm Rem Mag. Nice round but i'm getting a bit old for the punishers
I have a bolt action in 7mm-08 that is easy on the shooter and very accurate at long ranges.
I may consider a re-barrel..

[white eagle]

If I had a #1 on the rebore and rechamber list
I would give a serious look at the 500 Linebaugh
or 475 Linebaugh

[rockrat]

Don't forget the 38-55. Ruger did a few of those. Missed one by about two minutes at the Tulsa show.

Tim did my 500 S&W. "D" weight barrel. Only drawback was that the chamber was so tight, I could only get a .501" boolit to chamber and accuracy was so-so. Powder coated the boolits and sized to .501" and boy, did the rifle come alive. Shot very well then.

[idahoron]

My list for rebarrel would be 257 Roberts or 250 savage with a little faster twist.

[dverna]

Hello all, I’m about to pick up a ruger number 1 chambered in 20 tactical. I honestly don’t think I want to get into 20 cal. It’s already been rechambered to this and has a composite stock on it so I’m not worried about loosing value or anything. I got it for a really good price so that is why I’m thinking about rechambering it. This will be a fun range gun and possibly a hunting gun if I go out of state(Illinois). I’d like to be able to load it up or down and be able to run cast and jacketed and just really have fun with it. So what caliber would you make it? I was thinking 45-70 I’ve wanted one for years. But was also thinking .223rem as it’s a fun light economical round but I’m open to any suggestions. Thanks!

Unless you have a stash of primers, nothing is economical. YMMV, but I will not shoot much CF when I can sell primers for $100/k.

My choice would be .358 Winchester. Cheap parent case and will shoot cast or jacketed. More range than the 45/70 and less recoil.

If just jacketed bullets, the 7mm/08. Lots of good bullets and you can use .308 brass.

[gunther]

Wanted a #1 to convert to 38-55. Found one with the correct extractor at a gun show. A 1B in 338 win mag. Put a scope on it and got a Lee mold. The only one available at the time. 2 inch groups off the bench at 100yds with Outpost 75's "The Load". Keeper. Got a Ruger front sight ramp and post, and a SMLE machined rear sight. Made adapters for the rear sight to fit the Ruger rib. And got a 17A redone to fit the Ruger front ramp. Still a 2 inch 100yd gun. Still have it. Moral of the story: You can't go wrong with a #1.

[No_1]

No. 1---I did introduce my 357mag to a 357max reamer.:bigsmyl2: It performs quite well!!!

I am going to do it.

Rob

[Glwenzl]

The tactical 20 is really a pretty awesome round and very close to the 204 Ruger. It’s only downside is that it requires custom dies.

I only have two Ruger number ones, a 218 B and a 17 killer bee.

When it comes to a Ruger number one it just seems to me like that should have a rim on it lol. I like Wildcats and build a lot of them off the 357 max case. But if it was me building one today I would probably do A rimmed 257 Roberts… it can be done and requires standard dies

[Tazman1602]

I vote 45-70 or maybe 45-90? That’s about all my shoulder can handle…

Art

[Martini Sportco]

I have a No 1 with a Pac-nor barrel. 38/72 but with 1:12 twist.
Very interesting caliber with the fast twist. BP and smokeless cast shoot well, smokeless Jacketed are very lethal.

[Fitz]

I had Jess rework a ruger#3 for me ,it started out a not so good shooting 223 , Jess turned it into a 350 Legend and now I shoot 285 gr. paper patched bullets and at 100 yds will shoot a ragged 1 hole 5 shoot group if I do my part .

[Hiwall55]

50/70 or 40/65 would be great.

[MOA]

Don't forget the 38-55. Ruger did a few of those. Missed one by about two minutes at the Tulsa show.

Tim did my 500 S&W. "D" weight barrel. Only drawback was that the chamber was so tight, I could only get a .501" boolit to chamber and accuracy was so-so. Powder coated the boolits and sized to .501" and boy, did the rifle come alive. Shot very well then.


50/70 or 40/65 would be great.

You can make 40-65 brass all day long from 45-70 brass. 50-70 brass is a bit harder to find. And a 40-65 will shoot a good heavy boolit if you want it to.

[sharps4590]

As this appears to be mostly musing, I'd lose the pipsqueak cartridge, little holes in a barrel have no interest for me. What to barrel it to? I either have or, have had, singles and doubles from 7mm up to 500 BPE, settling mostly on 40's and 45's for singles and evidently 8mm for doubles with two exceptions. It's just me but, I think I'd look at the 577 BPE or some other honkin' big BPE cartridge. 'Course, nothing about the darn thing would be inexpensive....unfortunately.

[ascast]

I would like a #1 in 220 Swift. I have a truck load of charcoal burners and ex military. I would like a real hot rod to play with a bit.

[beltfed]

One, No 1 is rebarrelled with Douglas 30" bull, 12 twist 40-72W (use full length 405 Hornady brass) , cast 448 gr DDEPP bullet over 85 gr Swiss 1.5
The other No 1 rebarrelled with Obermeyer 8.5 twist 30 cal chambered in 30USA (30-40K), for cast 247 grain bullets
beltfed/arnie

[Rapier]

If I were to build another #1 or #3, I have several now, I would probably build a another 35, something like a 358 Win or 35 Whelen just for cast with a 1-14 barrel. A lot of good cast bullet designs in 35.

The #1 and #3 do not require a rimmed cartridge at all. The rim is just a nod to antiquity. The extractor, ejector is a straight parts change with a re-barrel. Everything is based on the action center line.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I acquired this Ruger #1 in a trade. It was chambered in some 30cal which I couldn't make shoot, no matter what I tried. I removed the barrel and replaced it with a Winchester heavy barrel in .308. I cut off the .308 chamber, rethreaded it and chambered it for 30.30. Shoots great and looks great. It has a Canger trigger.

[Harleysboss]

Somebody mentioned 50-70 Govt? That's what I have. It's a #3 action with #1 wood set. John Taylor did the re barrel. It's a real powder puff. I'll look for a picture.

[Harleysboss]

50-70

[Jedman]

50-70 is one of my favorites also. It gets the job done well up to 100 yards and to me it’s a powder puff too.

Jedman

[missionary5155]

Another 50-70 fan ! Might to a bit big for plowing turkeys but can always load a lowly roundball for light work.

[Harleysboss]

Another 50-70 fan ! Might to a bit big for plowing turkeys but can always load a lowly roundball for light work.
I don’t know… Texas Ranger La Boeuf in True Grit used a Sharps 50 to take a turkey. It did tear it up a little though!lol