Ruger Forum banner

ruger no 1 advice

6K views 14 replies 11 participants last post by  Crusty Deary Old Coot 
#1 ·
hello Gentleman. I need a little advice. me and my brother are starting a 5 year plan. with intent of going on a bear or bigger hunt in 5 years. As you know a hunt like this requires a special gun.

Im thinking ruger no 1 45/70 octgaon barrel with possible set trigger and case harding. DO i buy a older gun for the trigger. Or buy new pratice and have it rebarreled. I live in california And i have small children so a 45/70 wont get to much hunting use now. I think NO.1 are dead sexy and it would also like to play with black powder.

Also is it blasphemy to put a scope on a octagon barrel.
Tomorrow is my 35th birth day so i got 5 years till the hunt. Sure hope my shoulder last that long.
 
#5 ·
Happy Birthday!

That’s quite a project…Sounds fun. You’re looking at an extensive (and expensive) custom job. It has been done, of course, but you will basically strip down the rifle and use only the receiver. Maybe you use the stock and maybe not. The forend will have to be either inletted for the octagon barrel, or replaced altogether. You can probably find an older Ruger with very nice wood and the adjustable trigger. They pop up occasionally in our local shops, (and I usually buy them).

I own and shoot a lot of different single-shots, including Rugers. I love them all. I agree that the #1s are elegant. But, if you are not totally committed to the Ruger, you might take a look at another falling-block rifle like the Browning / Winchester 1885 or High-Wall. They are brute-strong, most already have octagon barrels, scope mount options, and there is a wealth of information now about BPCR shooting and loading with black powder. Some of the new Winchester models are already color case-hardened. It’s just a thought.

I hunt with single-shots—Sharps, High-Walls, and Ruger #1s. I have taken two African antelope with a Browning B-78 (HighWall) in .45-70 with paper-patched cast bullets, as well as mule deer, wild boar, coyotes and jackrabbits with various Ruger #1s. The Sharps will be deer hunting with me next month. It is a very satisfying way to hunt.

However you go about it, I wish you a fun chase.

Regards,
Schuter
 
#8 ·
Hello, rabbit91476. That sounds like a nice project..and rifle! Be careful with case-hardening the No.1 action. Spoke with a knowledgeable gunsmith on this..He said when Lyman was building their centennial Ruger No.1, they wanted case-colored frame. Sent two samples to Case Color Co., both warped in H.T. Thereafter CCC refused to cc rugers. Turnbull will do it. but doesn't guarantee it for warping. I have seen this done and they are nice..but it's a gamble? I have one with lever, and custom 1/4 rib case colored. Action & brl. rust blued. Best of luck!
 
#9 · (Edited)
Brown bear will not be on the menu. We wont have enough. Were hoping to have enough for black bear.

Thanks for all the advice. Im tempted for stainless but love the octagOn look. Ill just keep a eye out for a used one. How ever i need to shoot one firts. My shooting shoulder is my bad shoulder. Not that bad now but some day. So this project. May end up a black powder gun some day
 
#10 ·
Hello, rabbit. A scope on an oct. brl. should look just fine. Several years ago, I had an oct. Shillen 26" installed on an original panelled action Sharps Borchardt. I wanted to be able to use irons..tang & globe front..but also wanted a scope..was thinking Talley mounts. Gunsmith suggested claw mounts..as these were about the right period. He fitted custom 1/4 rib with mounts installed & matted top with border. Case-colored action..looks nice with scope on or off.
 
#12 ·
I know, I know, I'm an Ol'Coot, but my RUGER #1s - 45/70 is such a sweet gun I see no need to spend all the extra bucks.

Save the bucks and buy the tags for another critter.

The only change my #1s required, what getting rid of that ugly Alexander Henry forend groove.

Have loved the #1 since about the time I saw the first mag. ads when they first came out.

However, can't do that ugly groove.

Sooooooo, cut the forend off at a 45 degree angle tight behind the groove and install a nice Contrasting walnut forend tip like I once did, or use ebony as I have done on my 45/70.

Makes a way cool rifle into a real classic!

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot
 
#14 ·
For Alaska, I would want a rugged, low to mid power, fixed scope. I would go with a 6x42 Leupold with heavy 4a crosshairs. That way I'd get excellent low light utility, near bullet- proof mechaniscs, and quick target acquisition in an affordable package with a lifetime warranty to boot.

If going with irons, have NECGW fit thier Safari grade pop-ups. Thie cheap ones Tuger uses on the 10/22s and their big bores are a disgrace.

Good luck,
wunbe
 
#15 ·
Wunbe,

Quite a few years back, there was a trend by some writers to cast doubt on the quality and lasting ability of veriable scopes.

Well I bought into that line of thought, for awhile, and installed a 6X scope on a RUGER #1B in .270 Winchester.

Some time later, that rifle/scope pass into the hands of my oldest son, where it has remained to this day.

However, the 6X scope has been a handi cap for many years. Not enough scope for really open country, and way too much for close cover.

All in all, 4X would have been a better choice for a fixed power because it would have opened up the possibilities for close cover shoot'in and not been that much more of a negative at the very few longer range shots, WHICH MIGHT, be taken.

Didn't take long for me to get smart again, and the only quality veriable scope to ever give me trouble, did so because I dropped the rifle, flat on it's side on a hard packed icy road.

That was an old 4X12 Redfield.

I have installed a 2X7 Leupold on my RUGER #1s - 45/70 and it has stood up to a lot of shoot'in over the last 18 - 24 months. And this is not even one of the high end Leupolds.

By the way, my wife no longer is able to get around in the hills, so her rifle has been sold and the 2X7 Leupold is going, YEP you guessed it, onto the son's RUGER #1B - 270.

I understand your wanting a "bullet proof" set up for hunting in Alaska, but the 6X power is not a good choice when it comes to up close and personal.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top