ORIGINAL: spencer0071
I wanted a Ruger Number 1a few years ago. Inmy research i read that some people have problems. some of the rifles would putsomething like one out of ten shots off target.Other number 1s would not do this. Some strange fluke. I don't know if Ruger has fixed this annomaly or not. I blew this off and went tothe gun shopto see what they hadon the shelf.They handed me one and ijust about dropped it. I was expecting something along the weight of a Model 94 not a small block chevy.They are an extermely heavy rifle and in my opinion not well balanced. If you are going to shootvarmints with it theweightwill not be an issue. This rifle really appealed tome because of the single shot action. I would encourage you to look at other options before you make your final decision. TheTompson Contenders or G2sare single shot, breech loading alternative that youmay be interested in. I don't mind paying a premium for a good rifle but it has to be worth it in accuracy and reliability.
There are a number of different models-you picked up a1B,which is a heavy rifle witha prettyheavy, 26" barrel. So is the 1H, but you are glad the 1H is heavy, since they are made in .375 H&H, .416 Rigby, .458 Win and now, .458 Lott.
Pick up a 1A and try the 1RSI - both are beautiful, well-balanced, fast-handling rifles (albeit, NOT a Dakota #10!!) I think you could carry a 1A all day without undue fatigue.
I've owned a total of 7 Ruger single-shotsover the years, and still have six of them. Mine were .25/'06 (1V), 7X57mm (1A), 7mm Rem. Mag. (1B), .30/'06 (1B), .375 H&H (1H),.45/70 (1S), and a .30/40 Krag (No. 3).
All of these rifles were capable of 1" groups right out of the box with nothing done to them except mounting a scope. The 7mm Rem. Mag. was twice that good, shooting 1" groups at 200 yards.
These days, I hunt mainly with flintlocks, but when I do take out a modern rifle, it will always be a Ruger single-shot!