I don't like being called a fool and have never called you one when I didn't agree with you. There is no damn excuse for the that garbage. It happens that I have worked up some good loads for my NEFs and They will shoot under one and one half inches every day. My No 1's will do it too but for the price they darn sure better. I don't care about the wood and stuff, If I aim at a big game animal and the bullet hits very close to where I aim and the animal drops then the 200.00 gun has done its job as damn well as a 650.00 dollar gun.

Once again, a different opinion does not make someone else a fool. The fancy stuff does not matter to me when I can get like performance for a third the price, I don't call that foolish. I was sort of raised that way. My folks had to make a dollar go a long ways. We grew up very poor and very very happy.

Oldelkhunter...Nice to know your opinion is always right.

Notice my last sentence on my last post...READ SLOWLY.

Nice looking gun, that Ruger #1. Like others, I have an NEF budget, but if I had the means, I'd buy one!

I could have purchased another Ruger No.1 but chose three NEF rifles instead. No regrets what-so-ever. NEF is changing all new rifles over to a mechanical extrator which will cure the sticking cases once and for all. The POS Weaver bases have been working well all of my life time and there are countless thousands of them in use today even if they don't cost a lot. All of my rifles have Weaver bases except for the Rugers and one Browning which I bought used and has the POS Leupold rings and bases. They are ok but I don't like them. Never had a Wearver base or ring slip or fail even on my big Magnums that I used to think I needed.But then I am just a fool so take anything I say with a grain of salt. Maybe even half a grain. I am probably just imagining that my NEF's are very servicable rifles. When you compare products you also have to compare prices as thats part of the deal.

oldelk and james B both have made good points. the name calling isn't warranted. I will say that w/ a 06 or bigger I will not trust a $199 gun over the #1 to keep it from explodeing in my face(wouldnt hurt my looks any, but I am fond of my vision,taste, and smell). I dont think that the NEF's are anywhere near the rifle that the #1's are, but....as James B was pointing out "bang for the buck" they may be better.

The 30-06 Handi is completely safe. Many on the NEF talk site have the 270, an6 30-06. I have the 26 inch barrel 280 which is a tack driver. Some have had the Handi rifles rebored to 338-06 and it was chambered in 35 Whelen as well. In 45-70 it is loaded to 40000 lbs, same as the Marlin and I have fired Ruger level loads in mine as well. Not many though because of the weight or lack of I should say. The Handi rifle site has been up and around for quite some time. There has never been even a rumor that the Handi will not handle pressures of the calibers it is chambered in. This year it is out in 50 S&W as well. I don't know what the pressures are. One guy ruined one by rechambering it himself to 300 Win Mag. They are not made for Magnum calibers and should never be redone to calibers for which they were not intended. I had the Ultra in 30-06 for several years. It was a good shooter with groups about 1 inch to 1 1/4 inch. The 7mm-08 I have will easy better one inch at 100 yards for three shots. For 219.00 new, you really can't ask any more. There are also some nice looking custom wood stocks available if a guy wants to spend more money. As a pure hunting rifle they are more than just ok, The represent a very good product for the money and will accomplish anything that any other rifle of like caliber. One guy in Alaska uses his 30-06 for everything up there and has posted some good pictures of moose and bear that he has taken. If there is a common problem with them, it involves the 243 which is factory loaded awful hot because there are no old 243 rifles that need to be respected pressure wise. They have some extraction problems which will be fixed buy the new mechanical extractor. This is the only caliber that I have had a case stick in. I may have to send it back but they will fix it. There is no problem with their service policy.

I think the NEF is a good way to get into a cartridge without spending really big bucks. I have considered it myself. I applaud the Ruger 1 for having a 26" barrel on the 30 06; I think the cartridge needs it to effeciently use all the powder in the casing. I just look at it like an unbelted magnum - early version.

I reread it and apologize for that remark.

James I owe you an apology as well..no need for words like that.

OEH.Maybe I was being a little touchy. It just rubbed me wrong. Heck I have been called worse things. In fact I have been called worse things right here at home..

BJ..I like the 280 NEF which also has a 26 inch barrel. As does the 25-06 from NEF. One of the guys who lives in Montana from the NEF site knew I was looking for a 280. He saw one at Scheels in Great Falls and emailed me. I called them and bought it and they sent it to Scheels in Fargo for me. It had a 4X scope on it which works well. It cost me 190.00 with the scope and rings. So far four shots Four Mule deer. I have a lot of fun with the 44 mag and 357 Mag barrels as well. The 32 inch 45-70 Buffalo Classic may be my favorite. I shoot Black Powder Loads in it Mostly. I have the 22 Inch Barrel for the 45-70 which I have whacked several Black Bears with. 350 grain Hornady RN @ about 1900 fps. Really lays them out.

James, do run a meat market? What do you do with all that chow?