Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Custom Barrel Contour for a Ruger #1

I am re-barreling a Ruger #1 and am looking for a contour. For me, the 1A and 1AH barrels are too "light" and the 1B to heavy at the muzzle for proper balance.

I am thinking a 1A contour to the forearm tip and then .600 to the muzzle, 23" in length. What do you think?

Who has re-barreled a Ruger #1 and what contour did you use/recommend for balance?

Thanks, AJD

The Shilen #2 taper is the Ruger 1A contour. The Shilen #4 taper is the Ruger 1B contour. One can use these tapers in the respective original forearm wood without any mods to the wood, if you cut the shank applicably.

You did not mention which forearm is in question, length of forearm/weight/scope/intended use enters into said balance. Proper balance is a flighty thing with most guys, ask a few guys about what they think is, and you will get different answers; just human nature; no real answer I reckon. Kinda boils down to what do you want? Balance point can occur at different places for carry, target, and guys idea of such.

Shilen does make a #3 taper, maybe worth looking at. Of course custom tapers can be had at most blank makers gratis or 30 bucks or so for something not on their machines. Lilja shows a lot of tapers that are on his machines for lookin by potential customers.

Sometimes balance can be achieved at expense of weight, ie putting weight into the buttstock because of weight out front etc etc; just no end to the variables.

In my own rifles that I rebarreled myself, I am finding that I like some extra length over the factory specs; but not necessarily extra muzzle diameter. I think most will find a Ruger 1a pretty butt heavy, but handy in its proper environment. The 1B is a fairly nicely proportioned rifle with its beavertail forearm and medium barrel. The 1V with its 750 muzzle at 24" seems ok for the bags, with the possible exception for the 220 and 25-06 improveds.....(a couple extra 2-4 inches)........just my opinion of course.

A lot of gunsmiths will not do much custom tapering on their little machines, mainly because of time there on manual machines. The blank makers have the machines to do whatever you want and pretty economically and quickly.

Redz, thanks for the response.

I agree for me the 1A is butt heavy and I want more weight out front to move the balance aft.

I am thinking a Nikon 1.5 to 5 I think it is. Perhaps a 2-7 Leo. The Nikon has extended eye relief and I have several which work well for me on the #1.

I will be using a 1A forearm with 1A shank and contour to the forearm.

The woods here are pretty thick and so a light short rifle is my go to, so I don't want a lot of barrel length and am thinking 23". Which is between the 1A and 1AH. The 1A of course has the sight and barrel band that adds weight at the muzzle, and therefore I believe the 1A and 1AH balance to the same point. At least mine do.

AJD

AJD,

I like the Burris and Nikon scopes myself. I have gotten especially fond of the Burris Timberline 4.5x14 on my No.1's rimfire guns, the 14x on top end is easier on me sorta speak, and their size is smaller..........of course, scopes can be influenced by caliber/rifle environment. One can get some eye relief mechanically with Ruger's offset rings if so wanted.

Sometimes weight can be taken out of the buttstock by boring holes under the buttplate, not a lot there, but something to consider maybe.

Lilja has a barrel weight calculator on his site, so you might be able to see what a #3 type taper would do weight wise/balance. A inch of half inch metal is not a lot in the 1A taper...........if looking at the #3 taper, be aware a little forearm work is required, not much though over the #2 taper.

Brownells sells the Ruger banded front sight and barrel swivel loose for their A and S and H models..............but all have to be fitted to the tapered barrel as they come with a straight bore. That can be done with a lathe or with a hammer/tapered mandrel approach if no lathe.

I'll remember that about boring the stock, that may be the ticket to what I am seeking.

Thanks,
AJD

I believe they are the Douglas Barrels Contour that is in the 1966 Douglas Catalog that I have which was the first Barrel supplier to Sturm Ruger when the No1 was put into production. They have not changed over the production period.

Ok, got the first one back, 6.5x57R. Topped with a Nikon 1.5 x 5 Omega scope. I like it, not much to look at, but I like it. I have the barrel for the Krag, but have not submitted it to the GS to mount.

Added, used a SS .243 1B donor. 1A wood. 23" SS Barrel lighter than a 1B heavier than a 1A. Weight without scope 7.0#, scoped is 8.25#.

I've owned a lot of #1's over the years . One of the best balanced was a 1AH in 25-06, 24" A contour barrel,Alexander Henry forend , no sights.

I also owned a 1B in 6mm Remington that the barrel had been cut to 24". It changed the balance vs a standard 1B in 22-250.

F

For my own No.1, I contoured the barrel to kind of a light Douglas number 2. The shank is 1.9" long and 1.2 dia. The barrel tapers from .750 at the front of the rib to .595 at the muzzle. Length is 25". The fore arm is similar to the Alex Henry piece. The rifle balances at the front of the receiver and weighs 8lb 2oz with the 4x Bushnell Scopechief I have on it. GD

This one is a 1A contour to front of the forearm then holds steady to .605 at the muzzle (23").
Balance is at the front of the receiver with the scope mounted.

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AJD... While I am not normally attracted to SS #1's, I must admit that that is a VERY attractive #1. It should be a joy to hunt with. Ya done good!

Ed, thank you sir for the kind words! I guess I like the SS because it is a tad different and the weather here favors SS.

AJD

Beautiful rifle and the 6.5x57R is a great wildcat caliber choice!

Jim

AJD

Beautiful rifle and that 6.5x57R is a great wildcat caliber choice!

Jim

Thanks Jim, I like it a lot!
AJD

yes i have rebarreled a few Ruger #1`s ,i had Straight Line Machinist " Greg Walstrom " rebarrel my Ruger # 1`s ,what we did is take old barrel off and sights off barrel too. we figured out how i could still use forearm again even if i had to remove some wood ,then figured out contour and called Brux Barrels with the plan and sent Brux Barrel my used #1 barrel so they could make the exact fit i needed. these custom barrels on my Ruger #1`s have shot well and look great too.good luck,Pete53