Ruger No. 1 single-shot rifles,,,

Ya think the Number one is expensive try a Shiloh Sharps!

Every one owes it to themselves to get at least one rifle they need to save up for and spend more than they should on.... Ya only live once and if ya research it well enough and it will fill a role ya want to fill go for it.

A number one may be found used at a great deal for you- ya never know but if ya keep your eyes open and save ya may just find one! It should last you a lifetime plus so what is a 1200 or even 2000 dollar rifle or pistol worth over 30 years of ownership....

Orgasmic...no. Accurate, reliable, easily carried...yup! I've got a no. 1A in 6.6x55SE that gets the job done every time.

Harry, Ruger no. 1 and Ruger 77RSI fan

I have one of the .303 British ones that were released to the US market. I've been told it was only 50 rifles to the US, 200 to Canada, and 50 to New Zealand.

It's very accurate at 100 yards with 150 and 180 grain JSP and really shines at 200 yards with the 150 grain projectiles. Topped mine with a Nikon Coyote scope and its a really nice combination for the range as well as MN whitetails.

I think they are gorgeous. Someday I will own one in .303. However at this point I also hunt with my H&R single shot, 30-30, which groups 1 1/2" at 100 yds, with either 150 or 170 gr and cost me $150.00 used, with the Weaver scope...

The Number One serves a niche market.

Many don't like the idea of hunting with a single-shot.

Many don't see the appeal of the styling (Bill Ruger once wanted to name it "The Victorian".... fitting).

Many THINK a sub-MOA rifle is needed for big game....not so.

For those of us who DO like classic-styled single shot rifles, with evident quality in their construction, the #1 is a bargain.

I've owned several #1 rifles in various big-game calibers, and all were more than accurate enough for the task. I've never owned one in Varmint guise, so can't say much about them. However, I've seen some in the varminting fields, and they were doing fine.

Right now I own a #1 Tropical in .416 Rigby, and a #1A in .303 British. The Rigby works beautifully on Wood Bison (as we might expect, even up to over a ton in weight), and it is a superb cast-bullet rifle as well. It will place TEN 365-grain bullets inside one inch at 100 yards, muzzle speed running 2050 fps. The rifle has now fired well over 2000 rounds... mostly cast bullets.

The 1A in .303 British at one time was a regular-production item, not restricted in any way. The .303 cartridge has proven itself literally all around the world.

Some think the #1 is heavy. Well, the .416 certainly has some weight, and that's a VERY good thing. Fire a 400-grain bullet at .416-Weatherby velocity and believe me, the weight is HIGHLY desirable.

The .303 demonstrates why the #1 design is so versatile and flexible. Its weight and length are EXACTLY the same as my 20" Marlin 336 in .35 Remington, which we can all agree is a classic woods carbine.

My high regard for the #1 goes right back to its introduction. Not for everyone, maybe, but for those who do appreciate it, it is a wonderful rifle.... and yes, I love autoloaders and other types as well.

Compare the #1 to other higher-quality rifles, and costs are not out of line. It's all a matter of making our choices.... but dear Lord, that EAB rifle referred-to earlier is a malformed abortion to my eye.

Of course, I'm prejudiced by being accustomed to the #1.....

Missing from that list are 6.5-284 and 9.3x62

I have two (well, one belongs to my wife...) in .30-06 and .243.

They were 1.5 to 2 MOA out of the box, with reloads improving this a little.

I tried the Hicks Accurizer and it didn't do what I wanted.

Finally gave up and had both rebarreled, restocked, barrels floated and triggers reworked to 3#. Big difference, but at total cost of around $2K per rifle.

Now both are right at 1 MOA and that appears to be consistent.

It's been a few years since I got them back and my wife and I love them.

But, IMO, you really have to want an accurate Ruger No. 1 to go through whatever it takes to get one. There just isn't a rational explanation for why I did it. And I'm not sure I would do it again.

This is a half breed Ruger. Many years ago I converted a paper cartridge Sharps to 45-70 using a Ruger #3 barrel. It is fired using black powder only and very accurate.

Ruger no 3. Excellent rifle. Available on GB for @ $700. I have one in 30-40 that can be loaded down to 30-30 levels or up to 30-06 velocities. Also very nice in 45-70.

I have one in .35 Whelen. It is a dandy hunting rifle for close quarters, the lack of a repeating action makes it short and balance well for one hand handling. I killed a bull moose with mine a few years back.

I like my Ruger #1 25/06 Varmint. It is a classic looking gun. It shoots reasonably well although my other 25/06 bolt actions are better. I feel the 24" barrel is too short for the 25/06 and will swap it some day.

But,

Every time I pull the #1 out at the range I get a smile on my face. It is fun to shoot. It is enjoyable to shoot. It makes the day worth while. It is sort of like my Cimarron model of 1860 Henry, it just is fun to shoot.

My recommendation?

Save your money, search high and low and find a #1 exactly like you like it. They are out there as there are many variations.

I have 2 #1's, a .270 and a 7mm mag, both are 1b's. I bought both in the late 70's. Both have really good triggers and the accuracy is fine. The .270 will cloverleaf 3 at 100 yards if I do my part and the 7mm mag isn't far behind. Neither gun has ever fired a factory round, I worked up loads for each of them. the .270 is my loaner rifle for kids who are after their first deer and several have filled their first tag with it, both of my sons killed their first deer with it, the youngest was 8 when he did it. It was my go to gun for lots of years, I would buy one again if I needed to.

My No.1 is a lightweight sporter in 222 Remington. using 50 to 60 grain bullets, it will touch holes at 100 yards using a 1 1/2 to 4 leupold. Cost me a bit but it was one I always hoped for.

I have always wanted one. Actually I have always wanted six or seven of them.



I think the most appealing trait to me is the cartridge options. It is not a gun I would buy in 30-06 or .270(not that there is anything wrong with that). I would get the .303, or 300 H&H, 6.5x55, etc.

I will have one before the end of the year. I just need to find one.

Ruger # 3s are carbines....beautiful weapons, owned 2 one in .22 Hornet one in .223.....neither shot worth a darn with the best optics, can see why they were discontinued. wish I still owned them though.

My #1's are in fact a .270 Winchester , my first a 200th year version. another in .30-'06 and a ..25-'06 Varminter . I passed up a #1 in .22 Hornet a few years back and have been kicking myself ever since.
I just LOVE these rifles!

.45-70

love my Ruger #1 & #3

I spent a a long time finding my favorite hunting guns... A Ruger #1 stainless / laminate in 45-70. Hands down my favorite rifle.

My #3 is a .44mag and is my second favorite gun of all time. (bought new in 1984 - 1985)

They are fantastic rifles. I have never had any problems with accuracy. But then I use them for hunting and not target shooting....

I just went to the Ruger site and saw where they were auctioning a #1 in .280 Rem made in 1971.
My favorite caliber in a gun I've always wanted.
One small problem, bidding is $2700 right now.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=426120128

Paul, they are making brand new No.1-As in .280 this year.

You could probably find one for a littler over $1k

I would sure love to have one.
That might be worth saving up and maybe selling a couple of guns I rarely shoot.