Opinions on the Ruger #1 RSI .243

[loose noose]

Would like opinions on the above rifle, in fact I'm just waiting for delivery, as I recently won the bidding on Gun Broker. The firearm has a beautiful walnut marbled full stock, and has 97% of it's bluing intact, and was made in 1994. It has the usual minor dings on the stock that come with use. Once it arrives I'll place some photos here to show you. The photos that were displayed were actually very nice condition.

What I would like to know are there any pros or cons in regards to this particular rifle, especially those that own them or have knowledge of this particular firearm. I don't believe there were too many produced in this caliber. I do have a model #3 in the 30-40Krag, that is very accurate, but it's only similarity is the falling block action, however I'm totally unfamiliar with this rifle.

 

[Riomouse911]

I don't have a #1 RSI in .243, mine is the M77 RSI with the "red pad" so it's a bit older. The barrel on mine is 18.5", which is a bit short for the .243 and the velocity shown in load charts and factory ammo claims falls short in my rifle. Your new #1 has a 20" barrel, which should help bring the velocities up a little bit, but I'll bet it'll still be shooting slower than the advertised 24" barrel velocities for the .243. I put a 2x7x33 Leupold Rifleman scope on mine because I felt the smaller scope matches the abbreviated dimensions of this gun.

My full stocked gun shoots the Federal and Remington 100 gr PSP bullets very well, averaging around 1" to 1.5" at 100. Other loads open up a bit more, but none are unusable for hunting situations. I don't know if that's due to the full stock or just the nature of the Ruger barrels. Because it's a full-stock, and it's not a tackdriver, I haven't tried the lightweight varmint rounds through it. To me the RSI isn't much of a varmint gun, it's a carry through the woods or moors gun where shots are short to medium range and may come quickly. Like with every gun, try several factory and handloads in yours in the bullet weight/style suitable for your purposes to find what it likes best.

Carrying the RSI (or any shorter-barrel, full stocked rifle) in the field is great; handy, quick to the shoulder, points well... and it just looks cool.

I love the #1 action, and one of these days one will fall into my hands...hopefully in .300 H&H . Congrats on your purchase, and good luck.

Stay safe!

(Please ignore the ratty workbench towel the gun is on )

 

[Legionnaire]

Ha! I think I had that one on my watch list. I decided not to bid on the .243 when I found a No. 1 RSI in 7x57 here in Texas. Can’t give you an opinion yet as this will be my first No. 1.

I look forward to hearing how the .243 shoots. And I’ll watch this thread to hear others’ opinions and experiences.

 

[George P]

Wonder if it is the one I sold about 18 years ago? One of the few guns I regret getting rid of; it would shoot Sierra 85BTHPs into 3/4" groups all day long

 

[Hookeye]

Had one, nice rifle Not a fan of the RSI, bought to rebarrel........but it shot so good I left it.
#1s kinda suck in scope mounting. Older scopes had longer tubes. New style might require one or two offset rings.
If you are a giraffe, you might not need them.
Old M8 4X and I still needed one offset ring....barely, but it needed it.
I found my gun liked 100gr WW PP (cloverleafed at 75 yards). Did about as well w 95gr DSXP.
Forend screw was set at 15 in lbs. Mine stayed put at that setting (without any blue Loctite).

I sold mine, for three reasons.

1. initially bought to have redone to .35 rem.............and I found an old 760 in .35 rem (project then scrapped).
2. last yrs opener was a monsoon..........hated a nice rifle in that
3. blast..............the 20" bbl is annoying. Think a 22" bbl might be more polite
(read, trying to buy a reg #1A in a different chambering).

Must admit, did miss carrying the little #1 in the woods this yr. They are a neat rifle.
Heading north to a shop w a #1A in '06.

I have a 700 in .243 so didn't need two deer rigs of same chambering.
Only #1 in .243 win I might get again, a killer stocked B model.............for chucks. I had one as a kid, so just nostalgia (since no chucks around these parts anymore).


View attachment 816174

 

[Hookeye]

My '85 model had bland wood. Proly why I got it at a good price LOL
Worst stock I ever saw on a #1 (zero figure- just straight grain..........on a red pad no less).

I have a beater 760 ADL in .35 rem, and a 700 in synth, .243 win. Those are my "hard work" deer rifles from now on.
Might get the '06 #1A..........for sunny weather deer hunting, or maybe if I ever go after elk.

Decided to dump all my duplicate chamberings and just have "one of each".
Lots of stuff is lots of fun, but I need less gear and more time to use what I have.

 

[loose noose]

That was one of my concerns was the scope mounting. On my Ruger #3 I just placed a Weaver peep sight and that works really well, my other concern was the 20" barrel vs. the 24" barrel on my Savage 110 in the same caliber. Truth is I've always wanted a Ruger #1 RSI in that caliber .243, or even .270, or 30-06, so that is why I pulled the pin. BTW nice buck, and that rifle does have a fairly nice looking stock leaning up against that buck. If I can get a scope for it, I plan on using it up in Wyoming for Pronghorn, especially if I can get some accuracy out of it.

 

[Hookeye]

I think one offset ring didn't look too bad LOL.
Kinda kept up with the Euro trash look
I moved it back a little more after taking that deer.
Did not shoot anything with it last yr (when I got drenched).
Do remember shooting that small 8 (notice it has a mane- saw that as he came across oak flat)...............took him on fast walk at 50 yards and saw him mule kick in the scope. Even then I was "dang that was annoying" (blast).

Do miss that rifle already.

I gotta get another #1. Was thinking a 1A in 7x57.
But found an OK .30-06. Eh, dunno if it's still on the rack or not.

Might drive up this weekend and see.
Put a couple of rifles up at another shop, consignment, none sold yet.
Not wanting to use plastic.

Yes, I am a tightwad. Figure use gun money to buy guns.

Unless I go out west, I have no need for another rifle. But after having a #1, and then not having one...........yeah, need isn't all there is.
Want comes strongly into play.

They are nice rifles.
Hope you have a good time with yours

 

[Hookeye]

The old slotted screw scope rings are slightly different than the torx ones.
Height the same, but the area where screws are is different.
So...........if you are OCD...........if going to a new torx ring (like I did with the offset ring)............I also bought a "regular" ring of new torx style.
IIRC the torx ones have slightly wider ears.
New rings run about 30 each. I sold my old slotted screw set to offset the cost (no pun intended).

 

[Riomouse911]

Wonder if it is the one I sold about 18 years ago? One of the few guns I regret getting rid of; it would shoot Sierra 85BTHPs into 3/4" groups all day long

The M77 or the #1?

I bought the M77 off GB about 10-11 yrs ago, I want to say the seller was from Washington?

 

[George P]

#1RSI in 243; sold it when I lived out West in Reno area; rifle, Burris (US) 6x scope, dies, brass and bullets

 

[loose noose]

This one came from New Hampshire, way out on the east coast. It has a marbled walnut finish kind of dark in color, it was made in 1994, anything is possible, once I take possession of it I'll get some pictures of it up. BTW, I'm just getting the rifle no scope rings etc, although I've got some, from another Ruger I've got.

 

[Newtosavage]

I owned a Ruger 77 RSI stainless, in 7x57 for about a year and a half. It was and still is, the most beautiful rifle I've ever owned.

Trouble is, I'm not a collector, I'm a hunter, and I had a hard time taking that thing out in the field, knowing it would get bumps and bruises on it.

I also could never get it to shoot to my personal standards, no matter what I tried. I reloaded for it and tried all the different factory ammo I could find. Also, as was mentioned above, that short barrel produced velocities that were routinely 200-250 fps. behind published velocities.

I could have kept it and hunted with it and I'm sure a family member would have been very grateful to get it someday. But that's not how I roll. Every weapon I own is meant to be used and often used hard. So in the end it was just not the right rifle for me. I'm sure the new owner was thrilled to get it.

 

[Hookeye]

I'm not a collector, am a hunter.
I'll keep my walnut rigs for less than hurricane downpour hunts.
If I get the #1A I won't abuse it, but it will get hunted hard and whatever happens happens.
Am pretty careful though.

Know some folks that gash a stock or rust a barrel just by looking at em.
Some just lack finesse.

 

[loose noose]

BTW I'm also a hunter, however I take pretty good care of my firearms even in the turbulent weather you can get in Wyoming hunting pronghorn, or hunting Whitetail up In UP Michigan, after the hunt I generally take the firearm apart and clean the parts judiciously, and examine any new dings that may have occurred. Generally they can be repaired, but if not that is something I've learned to live with. I do collect firearms and have been for most of my adult life, so I've got quite an array of rifles, shotguns, as well as handguns to accommodate me.

 

[ridgerunner1965]

a no 1 rsi in 6.5x55 is my grail gun. but id be hard pressed to turn down a rsi in 243. I like the 243 and have killed dozens of deer with it in a model 7 rem.it just works well for sw Missouri deer.

I hunted with a no 1 standard in 06 for years.never did warm up to that gun. it was heavy and when slung on my right shoulder sometimes the hem of my coat would open the lever. never lost a shell but it was possible.

the rsi is so pretty, light and handles so well. I know there are accuracy issues with the no 1 platform but if it would shoot 3" at 200 yrds id be fine with it.

 

[loose noose]

That is one of my concerns is the accuracy of the Mannlicher stock, I do have a 10-22 in the international, that is a very accurate little .22RF, but I know there is a huge difference between the RF and CF rifles, here's hoping that I can at least get what you mentioned 3" at 200 yards, especially when the average shot at pronghorn is in the 200-250 yard range, because of the wind factor up in Wyoming where I hunt a heavier bullet such as the 100grn is absolutely necessary.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I recently aquired a #1 RSI in 7x57.
It puts first two rounds almost touching, with 5-Shot groups growing stringing downward. This tells me it’s the stock hanger, not the mannlicher design.
But, it’s a hunting rifle and will seldom or never see more than two shots fired in sequence.
I’m satisfied with the accuracy of mine.

 

[Hookeye]

I was confident with mine to 250 yards, based on the cloverleafs at 75 yards.
Only ran a 4X scope though.
The short rig needs a scope that maintains the look IMHO.
Cartridge and optic set my limit.

OK, so I used my woods rifle, in the woods, once........and killed my deer at 50 yards.
But I did see one come out in picked bean field, and went prone, and if he had crossed where the old fence line used to be (our property) I'd have dumped him. That would have been 250 yards LOL.

My 100 yard group did not cloverleaf, but was about an inch. I was happy.
I did Renaissance wax the inside of the forend to combat any wet weather warpage.
Of course I still had a horribly wet opening weekend the following year.

Neat rifle, not exactly what I wanted, but endeared itself to me. Goodness they carry great.
Miss mine already.

How neat if they did it in .250 or .300 Savage

 

[Hookeye]

Of course the ultimate would be, IMHO, .35 rem.
And THAT is what I bought mine for, to have rebarrelled..
$600 to do it.
I blew less for a classic Rem pump in .35 rem, sold my #1.............which gave me some funds toward a #1A in something suited for longer range work.

I could get a stainless bolt rig.........be boring but maybe better utility.
But #1s get in your blood.
Once you've had one............you have to have one.

Located a possible new purchase. Just have to wait and see how much $ the doctor bills are this week. If my insurance covers most of it..........I can get the #1.

My luck...........the insurance doesn't, and the #1 has already been sold LOL

 

[loose noose]

Once I get it I'll have to disassemble the stock and use that wax you were talking about, I do believe there is a stock bolt somewhere on the bottom of the stock in the middle and make sure it is free floating the barrel, coming from a rather wet climate to an extremely dry climate.

 

[Hookeye]

There's an angled screw in the forend, that goes into the hanger.
The hanger has a little round pc that just slides in, has the threads for the screw in it.
You'll probably hear it hit the floor when it falls out LOL.
My RSI shot fine and did not have the Hicks accurizer, or any work to lessen pressure.
My old #1 B was not modified and shot very well too.
I simply did the wax on the RSI to help protect the wood and maybe keep forend pressure consistent.
Only waxed the forend, did not mess with removing the buttstock.

Did take the guts out of the action when I got some raccoon crap on my glove crossing a creek logjam.
Smooshed that junk up into the front of the action.
You can Youtube how to pull that all apart.
Different, but not difficult.

I have a Wheeler torque driver so set my forend screw at 15 in lbs and it stayed put, and shot good.
Dunno what the working range would be for such experimentation.
Do know I tried 20 in lbs and 15 was better for my rig.

 

[Hookeye]

My rifle did well w one factory load at 20 in lbs. The other shifted impact.
Set at 15 in lbs, they shot close enough to be interchangeable.
Dunno if that was due to only the torque diff or if something else was going on.
Didn't do any retesting.

 

[SwampWolf]

Carrying the RSI (or any shorter-barrel, full stocked rifle) in the field is great; handy, quick to the shoulder, points well... and it just looks cool.

I agree completely-the RSI is almost as handy in heavy cover as a Model 94 carbine. My MKII RSI is chambered in .308 Winchester (I've always thought that short-barreled, full-stocked carbines benefit most from short actions). One downside to the RSI and its ilk is the inability to remove the sling quickly or easily (the "quick-release" sling swivel on the butt of the stock is made slow by the fixed bracket for the sling on the fore-end). When hunting for deer, I walk for a while and sit for a time often throughout the day. When sitting, I like to remove the sling so as not to have it snag on brush or limbs if I have to move the rifle to accommodate pointing where the deer shows itself at. Removing the sling temporarily from an RSI and reattaching it is an exercise in futility.

 

[Riomouse911]

It is just about the same overall length when stacked next to my 1894's, but that lever action (for me) is quicker on the follow ups ...

Stay safe!