I didn't know I wanted this - but I'm very glad I own it now...

PALADIN85020

PALADIN85020

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Friday I attended one of the largest gun shows in the country, held annually for 3 days in Phoenix.

I've always admired Ruger No. 1 single shot rifles for their sheer elegance, pushing the single shot category to its arguable limit.

And I found a nearly perfect one in my favorite centerfire rifle caliber - .30-06. The satin finish on the nicely-figured walnut stock was superb. It truly called to me, and I managed to bargain the owner down to what I considered a reasonable price.

You could ask what the appeal is with a single shot. The first thing is the lack of any superfluous complexity. Load it and shoot it. You can fit a longer barrel to the very short action, making its overall length much handier than any other action type. It's undoubtedly sporting to use it for hunting - superior to muzzle loaders and bows and arrows, for sure. It reeks nostalgia, with the graceful lines of the famous Scottish Farquharson single shot "hammerless" rifles. The No. 1 was blessed with a superior design internally and externally, and well-executed finish and fitting. As many of you might know, I'm a traditionalist, and the single shots are as traditional as you can get.

So, here we go, with a couple of pictures:

RUGER_NO._1_FULL_LENGTH_zpsoy9u0mdh.jpg

(click for larger picture)

RUGER_NO._1-OPEN_ACTION_zps0msviohl.jpg

(click for larger picture)

I have ordered a suitable set of Ruger scope rings and a nice scope. Also a laser bore sighter! I should be ready to wring it out in a week or so. And yes, it will be the subject of a future article!

John
 
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Beautiful. I'd love to find one for a good price myself. A friend of mine had one 30 years ago and I always thought it was very cool.
 
#1

congrats , beautiful rifle . the Ruger # 1 is on my wish list . caliber is a bit flexible as long it's .30 caliber and up . also must have iron sights on it . may adorn a scope also . really nice , thanks for sharing . kenny , texas
 
Beautiful rifle indeed. Congratulations! I hunted with a Ruger #1 in .270 for about 20 years. It was my "bean field" gun of choice, and it never failed to drop any deer where it stood. (No, there was a 10 point buck that ran about 30 yards)

The rifle and the Redfield Golden 5 Star scope allowed me to take my longest DRT shot, of 375 yards. There is something about shooting a single shot that makes you really focus on your technique. I wore an elastic wrist band that held something like 3-4 more cartridges, just in case I needed a rapid second shot, but I never did.

I lost that farm lease to the state a few years back, and finally sold the Ruger last year. I wasn't using it hunting out behind the house, and it was time to move it to someone else that would enjoy it.

You're really going to like that rifle! It's a beaut!
 
...I was looking for a No. 1 when I found my 1885 High Wall...

...I'd still like to have a No. 1 in 450/400 Nitro Express...I'm kicking myself for missing one that went for $800 buy it now on GB...
 
I'm strictly into classic firearms and have quite a few. People can't believe I don't own a AR type rifle. I tell them I do have a self loading 223. A #3 that shoots as fast as you can load it. I've had a few #1s and #3s and never felt a single shot was a handi cap in a hunting rifle. Now playing with #3 /375win and spitzer bullets. Ohio is straight case state for deer.
 
I had a No. I Tropical in 375 H&H for 5 or 6 years bout sold it in the mid 90's to a guy that "Just had to have it!" and paid accordingly. I miss that gun so much!!!

I still have 2. A 26" sighted in 218 Bee, and a 22" 7x57 also with sights, it is before 1976! Both with the Schnabel fore end. That 22" barrel is a joy to walk with, if you hold the gun by the wrist, it can hang straight down and still not touch the ground!

I have been very careful to leave the fore end mounting screw tension at the factory settings! They still shoot like they just came from the factory!

A note on factory 7 Mauser ammo: most American ammo in this caliber is on the weak side. The Norma 154 grain Semi spitzer soft point, is very hot! It mimics the 275 Rigby, post WWII Loading. Out of my No 1 it is almost 400fps faster than Remington 140 gr!!! About 1/2 MOA scoped and off a rest. I get 1 MOA (1.5") @ 150 yards offhand!

Ivan
 
I have had 5 Ruger #1's in 270 (2) , 7x 57 , 22-250 and 45-70. they all shot really well. the first one was a #1A in 270. I paid $278 new in 1979 and never paid more than $500 each for the other four.
 
I saw it in a gun catalogue more than 30 years ago. Then the gunshop, where I bought my first S&W revolver, had a new .30-06 at the shelf. Mine.....and it is still mine. Shoots great, but kicks mean, when not held like one should.

Swissman
 
One of the guys who got me started hunting prairie dogs had a custom HB No.1 built in 218 Mashburn Bee chambering. It was the sweetest shooting little rifle that got the most out of the 218 Mashburn Bee cartridge. I've lusted after a No.1 ever since so I could get my own 218 Mashburn Bee built. Absolutely a classic action.
 
Excellent rifle. I traded for one years ago. .30-06. Over the years I harvested 18 deer with 19 shots (missed one time). If I did my part it would cloverleaf 4 rounds at 100 yards with a 165 gr. Nosler Partition and IMR 4350.
Oldest son wanted it so now he has it. Every time he goes to the range it gets "drooled" on.

wyo-man
 
Congrats.....that is a beautiful rifle. Love the figure in the wood stock.

I'm not a Ruger expert, but I think the "red" buttpad is indicative of an early model #1.


Don
 
There are only a small percentage of Rugers in current production that are pure "Bill Ruger".
The No. 1 is very near the top of the list. It was one of Bill's favorite.
If you get one that shoots, great. If you don't, tweak it to get it right.
They are a nice blend of precision capability, yet handle fast like a fine shotgun. Selecting nice wood was a priority for the No. 1, as well.
They are a pleasure, too, for the reloader.

Jim
 
Mine is in 45-70.The gunsmith who sold it to me also offered one in 375H&H.I turned it down.I shouldn't have.
Yours has superb wood figures.Congrats!
Mr Ruger really had a stroke of genius when he decided to bring them out.
 
I have owned two of them in years past. One was a 25-06 and I don't remember what the other was. On a good day I could shoot under one inch groups at 200 yds with the 06. Best rifles I ever owned. Wish I still had one to pass on to my son. Getting too old to get out to the range to use one myself.
 
Have me one exactly like it. Topped with a Leupold straight 6X.
Shot a ton of deer with it. It is accurate and it does handle nice.
Swissman is right though. It is not a light recoiling gun, I don't care how good your form is.
There is something about hunting with single shot. Wish I could explain the attraction, but I can't.
 
I used to own a No. 1-S Medium Sporter in .338 Win. Mag. It was made in 1982 or 83 if I recall. It had beautiful grain in the buttstock. I never made the planned elk hunt so ended up selling it to help with a down payment on a new car. It wasn't that uncomfortable to shoot offhand, from the bench though I was glad that it only took 10 shots to get the open sights zeroed the way I wanted.
 
I've owned several No.1's (300 WM and 45/70 among them.) Beautiful rifles. I'm still tempted when ever I see one for sale....

As Ivan said, be really careful about the bedding and the tension on the forearm screw. They tend to get really "hinkey" if things aren't just right.
 
I've had mixed results with 3 that I've owned,,,a .243, a 25-06, and a .223. The .243 would shoot about 1.5 MOA the 25-06 was a half MOA gun, and the .223 was awful 5". The first two I owned had great wood, the .223 did not have figure. Looked like those Turkish shotguns before they paint the grain on. A straight plank. There's lust so much you can do to make a No 1' unless you have more skills than I do I tried, but no luck.. Looks like the OP's rifle has good wood. I looked at a new Ruger Gold Label 12 ga.SxS double shotgun, the wood was straight unlike the earlier guns. Disappointing. Jon Barsness has s No 3 in .22 Hornet he says is very accurate.
 
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I've had two, now just one.
First one was in .270. Danced around that one for awhile trying to get it to shoot good groups. Finally read something about shimming the front hanger, did that and it settled down. It had beautiful wood, and I took several deer with it.
Finally gave it to a landowner friend of mine who'd unselfishly allowed me to hunt his land for many years. He still hunts with it.

The 2nd one was in .45-70. It shoots better than anything in that caliber ought to. Just about cloverleafs Remington factory 300 gr. JHP's at 100 yards. Every deer I've taken with that one was DRT.

They're great rifles, and I was saddened to hear of their discontinuance.
 
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