Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

In my ongoing quest to find my "go to" deer/hog hunting rifle, I've recently started looking again at the Ruger #1. They're obviously built like a tank, and point like a well fitted shotgun for me.

Here are my concerns...

1. Have any #1 users ever run into a hunting situation where you needed a quick follow up shot and couldn't make it because you were reaching for another round to load?

2. From what I read, it seems that some Ruger #1 users haveSUPERB out of the box accuracy with their rifles......and then I read about another group that just never get their #1's to shoot with acceptable accuracy.

Just seems like that 26" barrel wringing out every bit of velocity packed into a rifle the same length as a 22" barrel bolt gun is an awsome design.

Help me out folks.......What do you think of the #1's

If it matters, I'm thinking about one in either 7mm. Rem. Mag. or .300 Win. Mag.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

We have a .300 WM and love it. If you place the first shot correctly you shouldn't need a quick second shot. Usually if you have a single shot you are more careful before you pull the trigger.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

Why would you get a single shot that could have accuracy problems when you get get a very accurate bolt for less money? I'm not a smart man but I'd want my "go to gun" to be more than a single shot that might not shoot straight. Ihave neverbeen a Ruger fan or a single shot fan. Everyone that has ever hunted big game for very many years at all has needed a second shot at one time or another.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

You can reload them you know. I've carried a single shot rifle deer hunting for the last 35 years. I carry 5 rounds in a sleive on the buttstock. You can reload them almost as fast as a bolt. I've shot a number of deer on a followup shot although I'vevery rarelyneeded it. In one instance, I shot two deer out of a group of 5. They just stood around after I dropped the first one, then the second one. I could have continued shooting but I was out of tags. I've never felt the need for more firepower.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

Not trying to stir the pot, but why would a guy pay more money for somethinghe can shoot almost as fast? It just doesn't make sence. It wouldn't matter to me if it says Ruger or TC, a single shot will never be as effective as a bolt. I would want my "go to gun" to be as effective as possible. JMHO

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

Collorado, it does make perfect sense. Only because it is a matter of choice. And I believe you are making your statements on assumption as you have never owned a Ruger #1. I've hunted for over 40 years and shot more than my share of game animals in the east, midwest, and west and I can only recall two times when I needed a follow up shot.
I always liked the #1 but was skeptical of the accuracy. I spoke to my cousin who has several and he assured me that they were very accurate. I got a great buy on a #1 Tropical in 405 Win. and this rifle can flat out shoot. And like a bolt action, once you get familiar with the action, you can load it pretty darn quickly. I am currently considering another in either 30-06 or 7mm Rem Mag.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

I too am a Ruger #1 lover. While it's true that some shoot better than others (many guns are like that BTW), #1's are very well made, sturdy and one of the nicest looking production guns out there ...IMO. Some are heavy (varmint models) and some have less than stellar triggers, but that can certainly be remedied without a lot of bother. It really is possible to get quite good at quick follow-up shots. I also have a band that holds several cartridges at the ready on the stock. My current "shooter" is a 1-B in .270. I like the 1-A's and 1-V's also. Recoil with the .270 is barely noticable, and it is likely more accurate than am I. Single shots make you really concentrate and wait for the perfect shot. The extra "challenge" of that is just fun to me. They actually become kind of habit forming and some folks hunt with nothing else. I have NEVER felt handicapped when afield with the #1.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

My "go to gun" will not be a gun I have to question the accuracy or the speed from the very start. And thank you for helping me make my point, at some time you will need a quick follow up shot if you hunt for any length of time.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

Well sorry colorado, but you may or may not know this but he #1 ejects the empty and all you do is slide a second cartridge in and your ready to go. I would NEVER question the accuracy or the speed of the #1 now that I have owned one. And BTW if your bolt action is so darn accurate, why would you need a quick follow up shot???? Thanks for making my point...

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

Well said! Make the first shot count. I own several Ruger#1 and Ruger 77's and I can tell you I am never under-gunned with the #1's They are very accurate and if you actually would even need a follow up on "dangerous game" (or whatever) the ease is there if you practice? Mr. Boddington can contest to that along with myself. The Ruger #1 is one of the best if not the best mass produced rifles out there, PERIOD!!! Make the first shot count and you don't have to worry about the follow-up shot[:o]JMO
If you have a chance to own a Ruger #1 grab it, they are great rifles. Good luck:)

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

Schoolcraft - after re-reading your initial post I want to readdress your concerns.
1. NO - I've never had a situation where I could not make a necessary follow up shot with the #1. (never had to - but was reloaded and ready if needed)
2. Accuracy is in the hands of the beholder. I've had bolt actions that I bought new that were the worst shooting rifles I ever owned and I didn't keep them long. My one and only #1 shoots remarkably well. And it is shooting a big old 300 gr bullet.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

Before I wander, I've been hunting with bolt-action rifles for over 30 years. NEVER have I needed to follow-up a shot with a quick second, though as a matter of habit I do eject the spent round and reload.

My Ruger #1 shoots just as well as I can. You can read all day long about how heat and the rib affect the barrel, but I typically don't have a requirement to shoot so fast that the barrel heats up beyond what a couple rounds will produce in the first place. I've heard of stiff triggers, but mine's pretty consistent with my M700s.

If you need a fast follow-up shot, skip the bolt guns and pick a semi-auto, pump, or lever action. Every rifle can have its quirks, and it's often much easier to blame the tool than it is the user. Most of the accuracy problems I've observed during 20 years in the military and over 30 years of hunting are more often attributed to the shooter than anything else, with improper scope mounting a distant second. My awareness of problems with individual rifles has been pretty much the exception.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

Hey to each his own. Bottom line is follow up shots are needed a lot in hunting and that's why I prefer a bolt. I've only owned a few Ruger rifles and they have all been decent shooters. However, we all know Ruger has a bad rep for not being shooters. Truth or not, the rep is still there. I'm not saying I wouldn't own a #1, if I found the right deal, I would pick one up. No way in hell, it would be my "go to rifle". I'd still hunt with you if you owned one though!:DAgain that's just my opinion.:D

Homer, you are probably the only hunter in the world to hunt for thirty years and only fire one round every single time you have ever been hunting.:D

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

I started out hunting/shooting with a single shot bolt action .22 and it sure taught me to make the 1st shot count. I've NEVER *knocks on wood* had to use a followup shot when hunting big game, and darn seldom when hunting small game like squirrels & rabbits with .22 rifle. I LOVE #1s but don't currently have any. I think it should be LAW that everybody starts out with single shots. Then we would have a LOT less missed deer.

In viewing the other side, I hunt with bolt action right now (Browning A-bolt), and IMO it's darn hard to CONSISTENTLY match a well tuned quality bolt rifle for gilt edged accuracy. The key to #1 accuracy is forend tension on the hanger. Brownells sells a adjustable hanger tensioning device for #1s, and they work well. I'd LOVE to obtain a #1 action cheap to build a rifle from. Until then I'll be satisfied with my A-bolts.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

I stand corrected! There are two people in the whole world that have only shot one bullet every single time they have been big game hunting!:D

I'm just kidding, so nobody get butt hurt!:D

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

Naturally I've turned down a lot of shots. Heck,1 year I couldn't find my misplaced magazine for my A-bolt .284 and used it as a single shot all season, naturally to find the mag a week after season ended. I got 4 deer year before last (that year), ranging from 50 yards to 400 yards.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

1. Have any #1 users ever run into a hunting situation where you needed a quick follow up shot and couldn't make it because you were reaching for another round to load? Never had this happen. I can reload my No.1's about as fast as I can work the bolt ofmy Mannlicher Schoenauer.

2. From what I read, it seems that some Ruger #1 users haveSUPERB out of the box accuracy with their rifles......and then I read about another group that just never get their #1's to shoot with acceptable accuracy.
ALL my No. 1's have been MOA or less. Likewise a No.3 in .30/40.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

I have never had a problem with accuracy with any of mine ,have both the RSI and B-1 models . I did wonder about the accuracy of the RSI with the full stock when I first bought it but it'sproved to be a good shooter . Even if it didn't shoot I got it so cheap I would have bought it, NIB $350 at auction

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

I have a buddy who had the Hicks accurizer and a Moyer's trigger put on his #1. It's his favorite "go to" rifle now. Or, if you've got a couple hundred sitting around, drop a Kepplinger's SS trigger on and get it down to 1-3 lbs. It's all about personal preference.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

I've always wanted a #1, but every time I get the cash there is one other gun that I want just a little more.

As for single shot v. bolt, its simply a matter of preference. I know a guy who prefers bow hunting to gun hunting. Why would he limit himself to 40 yards with no quick follow up shot?!? That is just his preference, the same way some prefer whiskey to vodka. Some people like handgun hunting. Considering the most deadly hunting weapon would be some large caliber semi-auto such as an AR-10 in which you would have 25 "follow up" shots within 10 seconds, not many of us are choosing our weapon solely on killing efficiency.

RE: Ruger #1 users and lovers......a question
 

stonewall said it all...........