The #1A in 30-06 would be my choice. The #1Bs are available in many calibers but they have more heft than I like and certainly more than I'd want to lug through steep terrain though that may not matter to you. I have two #1s, a #1B and a #1S (in 45-70). I just love to hunt with that #1S. It is so sweet handling, light, quick and handy. I sometimes use that rifle with the NECG aperture. My eyesight is suffering from age related focus issues so I found a blade front to fit the Ruger front base - NECG makes several versions for the Ruger sight base. It took a bit of work to fit it properly but it is an excellent and rugged sight. Took a nice brown bear with that 45-70 this fall at just under 250 yards. It was nice to have a rifle as quick handling as the smaller #1 for a needed follow-up shot.
There is no question that my next #1 will be a #1A and the most ideal all around caliber in that version is the 30-06, perhaps a bit boring, but that too reflects how well it works and shoots. Of course maybe you could get ahold of one of those limited run stainless/walnut #1Ss in 35 Whelen contracted to Lipsey's.
Dave, that is the rifle I got shortly after they dropped the price. It is the one I will be hunting deer with this year. The wood on mine is darker than that though. I am thinking about swapping wood off an older 1-A I have that is just gorgeous. The wood on this one isn't bad compared to a lot of the rugers I see now, but the wood on that other gun is something else.
I've got the 1885 Winchester in .325WSM. It's a bad Mammajamma and very effective on elk out to 300yards. Next to my Savage 99, it is my favorite rifle.
Personally I would stay away from the NEF rifles. I have owned three and every one of them has had problems. My newest is the 35 Whelen. After countless misfires with both factory ammo and reloads it went back to Marlin/H & R five weeks ago for the SECOND time(they failed to fix it the first time back in Aug.) Last I heard the service department had given up and sent the gun to the engineers to try and figure out what was going on. Out of almost two months of ownership in has been at the factory for 6 weeks total and counting.
I could go on and on about the NEF 30-30 and .22 and their problems but suffice to say that the best purpose of these guns is as tomato stakes. My advice is to stay away. You truly do get what you pay for.
You have a crystal ball or something, or do they just let you shoot EVERY new NEF, T/C Encore, and Ruger #1?
If none of the above, there is NO way you can say that an NEF will be more or less accurate than anything else.
Esp. give that NEFs traditionally have VERY heavily, not great otherwise, triggers, and no aftermarket accurizing possibilities. Something that the #1 certainly, and the Encore as well, have.
Having owned several of each, I've found that any of them can be made quite accurate, and of the three, for the use in question, I'd go with the #1 first, the Encore second, and the NEF third, for a host of reasons.
Not knocking the NEF, but they just aren't by and large on par with the Ruger or the T/C, and unless I want a truck gun or a bang-around varminter, the NEF is not my first single shot choice.
I have a Lyman Great Plains 54 cal roundball 0.530" over 80 gr of FFG that has taken 2 nice elk and the balls exited both times, including going through one shoulder blade.
I used to load 250-3000 Savage with 100 gr Speer bullets for a very old man and he never had any trouble taking his elk every year until he died and he didn't think he was undergunned, but he didn't try to shoot one over in the next county. 100 to 125 yds was far enough. I have a friend that uses a 257 Robers with 115 gr Nosler Parts and never thinks twice about it.
I don't think a 22 cal is appropriate, but that caliber has been used, I know from experience. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I think anything from 6mm up, WITH THE RIGHT BULLET AND PLACEMENT, has taken elk or elk sized animals for a very long time, when used within the confines of the calibers and shooters abilities.
I know from lots of forums that 338 Mag seems to be the favorite "goto" gun. I have a 338-06 I had build just for elk and used several times, but it depends on many factors which rifle I take.
People seem to go crazy over "which is the best...", this one or that one and never seem to be satisfied. Of course...I'm always experimenting with "something different", so I'm just as nuts. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
I really just use whatever rifle I happen to be in love with at the time, although I'm really partial to 7mm cal and have used 7x57 up through 7mm RemMag, except 7mm-08 and I just haven't had a chance to use that one yet.
Bottom line is pick a rifle and caliber you can handle as far as recoil is concerned and be happy. Pick a bullet and learn how it performs. I use premium spitzers, no round noses, and don't try to shoot through the bushes. Just wait a bit until the target steps out to take a peek, then put the bullet in the right spot. If you've done your part in making your rifle and cartridge shoot as accurate as possible, you should be able to place the bullet anywhere you desire.
Understand what ballistic coefficient and sectional density means, then memorize the drop. You'll be well on your way to being a very good hunter. Remember the old saying, "Beware of the one gun hunter..."
Most "what's best..." questions are too simplistic and the answers never include "the rest of the story", and that's a pity because the rifle is really just one small part of the total. Consider how piddling an arrow is compared to a "rip roaring" 70umptygoshawfulljawbustingsupermagerfunklebanger. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Clearly you guys haven't been keeping up. Ruger are well known for being innacurate & the Encore is just hideous. The Handis will shoot sub-MOA and come from the factory with 3lb triggers. A bad NEF is very rare but I suppose it can happen. The Handis weigh nothing compared to the cast metal overbuilt Ruger.
"If what I say offends you, you should hear what I don't say."
Overbuilt is not a bad thing when you are dealing with 50 to 60 Thousand psi four inches from the end of your nose!
And I would be curious to learn of a manufacturing process which leads to a receiver superior to the Ruger (any model) in terms of metalurgy, strength, or design.
I have never been accused of being overly gifted with "artistic appreciation", but even I would hesitate to let the bears witness me carrying a handirifle in the hills when there is a perfectly good #1 in the safe at home. And that would still be true if you tied a couple of cannon balls to my #1 for additional weight.
People who choose to brew up their own storms bitch loudest about the rain.
... Ruger are well known for being innacurate...The Handis weigh nothing compared to the cast metal overbuilt Ruger.
Man, you got that right. Freakin' Rugers will drive you up a wall. I have tried to get the one in the attachment to shoot straight for going on a year and a half now, all to no avail. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Gunnery, gunnery, gunnery. Hit the target, all else is twaddle!
Hoot, I used to tote a Ruger no. 1 in .375 H&H as a back-up on elk hunts in Colorado. It was heavy to carry, but shot well with the 270 gr loads I used. It would be pretty easy to put the NECG aperture on the rear, and use the factory front sight.
I think the .375 is a great elk cartridge too.
jim
LCDR Jim Dodd, USN (Ret.) "If you're too busy to hunt, you're too busy."
