Paladin43

Man Dave, you are planning ahead! What do you think about the .338 Federal? Seems like an interesting caliber. My Encore wears a 24" barrel in 7mm-08. It's the only barrel I have on it. So far, lol. The Roberts is a great caliber, also. I would'nt hesitate to use it for bear. Used my Encore last year during deer season. Didn't have but about four opportunities to go out,because it's my busiest time of year. The only deer I saw, were at around 350yds on a rise, a no-shot situation (who knows what was over the rise). This year, I plan to make more deer-hunting time. I may take the Encore, or another rifle I just bought in .30-06. I'll make up my mind which one as the season approaches.

So, let's nail down a date to get together! How about either this Sat AM, or next?

Pierre

Encore28

I am working Saturday------I work every other weekend. Although this Saturday should be mine off,I had to switch being my son received First Communion this past Saturday. We will get it together-------------Baseball games also impact my Saturdays.
BTW--I like the .338 Federal it is a little thumper without all the magnum recoil. As the years pass I dislike recoil more and more!!!
Encore28

Ruger 1 Guy

"As for Paul Shuttleworth, I'm familiar w/CPA, and would like to take some time off to meet him personally"

Pierre,
I may have to go to CPA in the next two or three + weeks to pick up some Ruger # 1 barrels. I'm not sure just what day but if you would like to tag along I'm sure it would be ok. Paul doesn't do many "tours" as a lot of the times he's not up to it, Paul is in his mid 80's so he's not working full time. If Gail his daughter, is available I'm sure she would be happy to show you around.

I'll get hold of them this week and find out when the barrels will be ready and get back to you.
Ruger # 1 Guy

Paladin43

Encore28, just let me know when you're available. Sometime, I'd like to fire your .338. It intrigues me.

Ruger 1 Guy, I meant that I'd like to see their operation, and take a look at a couple of finished (or close to finished) guns. Not interested in Schutzen. More like a sporting gun w/.38-55 and/or .22 rimfire combo. Not looking for heavy. Leaning more towards a stalking type gun. The .38-55 facinates me, as a caliber. (maybe that's why i'm asking about Dave's .338 Federal). I already have a couple of .45-70's. Lever actions. They are thumpers! I reload for them. But, see no need for that much recoil. Lookin for the middle ground. Just want to see what CPA has, and how the guns feel before I make up my mind.

Ruger 1 Guy

Pierre,
That's what I meant by doing a "tour", seeing their operation, they do not have a typical Gun Shop type store with guns, ammo, scopes etc. for sale.

They are in the Gun Manufacturing business, not really open to the public, like your typical store, no signs or anything like that, in fact if you did not know where they were you probably would never find them as their back off the beaten path on a dirt road, and no signs to point the way.

Yes at any point in time they will have completed guns and some half complete. The basic rifle is the action, after that you can make it into any type of gun you like, it can be a stalking type rifle, an offhand Schuetzen rifle, a bench rest rifle, or just a typical hunting rifle, all it takes is changing the stock and the barrel. You can do any caliber or cartridge as long as it has a Rim, you cant do rimless on a Stevens or any 44 1/2 type action.

For rimless the Ruger # 1 is the best way to go as you can set up the action for any type of cartridge, rimed or rimless. You mentioned a 38-55 and / or .22 rimfire combo, that can be done with th 44 1/2 or the Ruger # 1.

I have been shooting a # 1 in 22 LR for about two years now and it's shooting great. Of course I also have my Center Fire # 1's.

I just found out that it may be sometime this week or next week that I'll be picking up the barrels from Paul S. will let you know for sure soon as I have a for sure day.
Ruger # 1 Guy

Encore28

[QUOTE=Paladin43;631662]Encore28, just let me know when you're available. Sometime, I'd like to fire your .338. It intrigues me.



Pierre
No problem--------You can shoot it!! You only live a stones throw from me anyway!! I can take you to the Moscow club someday and shoot!!

Encore28

Paladin43

Ruger 1 Guy, next week would be great. However, like I mentioned, I am only able to do things in the AM, as I work from 1 to 9:30, or on a Saturday or Sunday. You describe what I imagine, not expecting a factory, nor a store, but a cottage-type industry. Just want to see what they have.

Encore28, Thanks, I'd love that. Love to see the Moscow range, too. Likewise, we can go to Factoryville and shoot. Not a stone's throw away, but a nice excursion, anyway.


Pierre

Ruger 1 Guy

Saturday or Sunday are probably out. That's either a day of rest or a shooting day for Paul if the weather is nice. I'll keep you posted as to what day we can do the trip and how early in the AM would be ok for Paul.
Ruger # 1 Guy

Paladin43

Sounds good. Look forward to it.

R1895

Paladin43 & Encore28,

Gottcha and thanks.

Paladin43

R1895, to answer your question, I just don't know about the quality S&W is putting out. On the various forums where someone is posting about the Encore, Nothing negative has come up about the quality of the guns. Only about their attitude in the service area being so indiferent. On the other hand go to any forum where the Marilin lever action is discussed, and people are complaining right and left about the quality of the new "REMLINS" and the deplorable service. Like I posted earlier, if that is a concern, there is so much available to you, and I mean real quality components, that you can be assured to be happy w/an Encore purchase. Just choose your barrels and other parts wisely. Do your homework. The Encore is an excellent platform. Different from the #1 (which seems to enjoy a cult status).

Paladin43

Well, after shooting my new #1 a bit, I find the trigger crisp, but heavy. I took it to my favorite 'smith' and it tested at 4 1/2 lbs. So, I left it with him to have it lightened. Should have it back by Sat. Then, I'll take it out to the range and see if I can tighten my groups. I do need to put a scope of higher magnification than 9 power to get tighter groups, and, of course, better control my heartbeat. After that, start reloading for the .204 Ruger to get the best out of it. Cheers,

Pierre

Paladin43

"Should have it back by Sat." Why did I say that?! Here it is May 31, and I still don't have the #1 back. I'm having withdrawal pains really bad. I need my #1 fix!. The smith said he would have it ready sometime this coming week. I'm anxious to see if the lighter trigger will help w/groups. Definitely need to get a much higher magnification scope, too. Oh well, at least I was able to take advantage of the holiday weekend to dial-in my new .30-06. Got that one ready to go.

Quote by Ruger 1 Guy,
"For rimless the Ruger # 1 is the best way to go as you can set up the action for any type of cartridge, rimed or rimless. You mentioned a 38-55 and / or .22 rimfire combo, that can be done with th 44 1/2 or the Ruger # 1."

The 44 1/2 has interchangeable barrels (w/the proper firing pin insert), which makes it an interesting option, especially since it's not a break-open gun. Besides, it certainly has its own nostalgic appeal.

Ruger 1 Guy

I was going to ask you how it turned out yesterday but didn't get around to it.
The trigger will help you get much better groups and another thing that will help greatly would be a lighter hammer so that you have much less muzzle jump. If you have decent eye sight a good 10 X scope would probably be ok, I used a 10 X for many years but as I got older had to go to a 20 X, that was about 10 years ago, now I'm up to a 30 X and still shooting but starting to have problems seeing the cross hairs so have to install thicker ones so I can see them without eye strain.

As to the 44 1/2, I agree, it does have that nostalgic appeal and they do shoot good but to go from centerfire to rimfire it's not as simple as just a firing pin insert, wish it was but you have to change the whole block with the firing pin and also the extractor, with the Ruger you use the same block and firing pin but you do have to change the extractor for rimfire.
Ruger # 1 Guy

Paladin43

Gotcha, Ruger 1 Guy, so maybe it is more practical to do a separate rifle for a rimmed centerfire, and a .22 rimfire (offset pin)? Oh well, maybe I'll rethink my single-shot .22. How about cleaning from the breach end, any probs (like the ballard) getting past the hammer?

A lighter hammer would mean a change, does it also imply spring changes? Who makes quality replacements (read, who do you recommend)? I also want to put a quality (no bells and whistles) higher power scope on it, but don't know if I want to sport for a Swaro Z5 at $1,500. My eyes are still pretty good, but I'm no spring chicken, lol. I do wear glasses, and prefer to buy decent glass for my rifles. I was thinking about a 4.5X14 Zeiss Conquest to put on it. But someone is trying to talk me into getting a Vortex, which I understand is a decent scope. But like nightforce, those seem to mostly come with Mildots or other range-finding marks, and are verry heavy - 20 plus ounces. I only have one illuminated scope (and that's more than enough), and none with 'hash' marks (not necessary even for long shots - I don't do 1,000yd shots, except at inanimate objects).

My #1 should be ready this week. I have other projects for the smith that I need to get to him. In the meantime, this weekend, I will have to play with some of my other guns. Will let you know how I'm shooting with it as soon as I get it and shoot it. Factoryville is close to the gunsmith, and on my way back from his place.

Pierre