Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Ruger No 1 popularity?

I started looking at used Ruger No1 in 30-06 with the 26" barrel. Slim pickings. Maybe a testiment to their polularity. No one wants to sell one, I guess.

There's one on GunBroker, not cheap

Never are cheap on GB... that is likely why so many of their ads run for a long time

I have a 30/06 No 1S. It is supposedly unfired and in the box. I was told it was a special run not sure how many were produced, there is one local with a asking price of $2k.
I have considered selling this one but not sure on shipping and the hassle and worried about damage. Some how the rings were not in the box but I have a few. I would sell local for $1500
I see the new list price is $2400 so not sure how that will affect the used market. Cabela’s here had 3 used pushing $2k they have a 1970 era 6mm left.
I would say that is getting to high for me. But Im on a waiting list for a new one and was told it will be close to list.
Stainless steel walnut 280 AI

No.1's have always cost more than other stuff. 50 years ago I bought a new Remington 700 because I couldn't afford the extra dollars for the new No.1 I really wanted. The premium for No.1's has remained constant.

It's the times we live in. 20-30 years ago the average price for common stuff was $300 it seemed, with No.1's being $500. Now you normally can't buy an average good quality gun for much under $1K, and No.1's are commensurately higher by about the same ratio as before.

30 years ago I used to stop at a shop where the guy had a vast collection of No1 rifles. Odd-ball stuff, like a 218 Bee. I have owned a couple in 45-70. Real thumpers, killers are both ends. I finally had to admit that the recoil was too much for me. I passed on a 26" gun a couple of years ago. Better balance, but it would have still been a hard recoiling rifle

I’ve owned five of them. Four were marginal at best accuracy wise, 1.5”+ guns.The other was a 218 bee that was a 1” gun.
I really like them, but I like accurate guns better. And don’t get me started on the forend accurizing schemes and custom triggers.

a good hand loader with some skills on Ruger #1 forearms ,and good rifle rests off a cement bench you can make many Ruger #1`s shoot 5 shot groups under an inch , some under 3/4 inch and a few 1/2 inch or less . i have a Ruger #1- 6 BR custom that shots 3/8 and less 5 shot groups at 100 yards. my longest shot on a Montana 10 pt. whitetail buck was at a measured 720 yards with a Ruger #1 257 Weatherby Mag. with first shot laying down with a bi-pod , a Nightforce scope and my handloads. witnessed by 2 Viet Nam Marine vets who were with me. my whole family now use Ruger #1`s all 6 of us , there a safe, simple , accurate rifle to use hunting for the whole family of any age. Pete53

If they were that inaccurate why would you keep buying or owning them?

The 45-70 guns that I had (only cartridge I owned in them) were all shooting a 1-1 1/2" groups at 100 yards off of sand bags. I suspect that the recoil.was a factor in not doing better.

That’s a good and fair question. I like the looks of them, can’t see one without picking it up and handling it. I guess I’m just a slow learner and/or I think I’ll find an accurate one. I’ve been reloading for close to 50 years so I’m not a rookie. And I have Rem 700s, anschutz, and Sakos that are easy sub 1” and some around 1/2”, and an occaisonal group at 3/8”.

I'm like you Dale, I like the way they look as well.

I've owned a ot of Ruger #1s over the year and still have most of them. Only three have been real problems and while I'm still working with two, one has been sent down the road and frankly I'm kicking my self on that one. It however was a custom based on a #1A that made a neat walkabout rifle in .223 Rem. I've since picked up on a new trick that will be trying on the two malcontents when time will allow.
I haven't been able to do much since a bad car wreck sidelined me but when I was deer and elk hunting as often as I could draw a tag or find a reasonably price guided hunt I usually did a hunt with one of the number once. I came to the conclusion many years ago that if a serious big game rifle shot 1.5" or less consistently, then I was happy. I did not not weep and moan, tear my hair out and pour ashes on my head if that rifle would day in and day out shoot that 1.5" or less and I knew I was doing my part. I have more than a few #1s that will shoot MOA or less including four, a #1B and three #1S which shoot sub 0.5" groups on a steady basis. All four are chambered to the .300 Win. Mag.

I mentioned that I'd learned of a new, at least to me new trick and that's messing with the rib that the scope rings fasten to. Take it off the gun and if you hear a, "ping", carefully remove a bit of metal from the end and relieve the screw holes in the rib so there is now contact. I wish I'd have known that trick before I'd sold that .223 off.

I've never messed much with the forearm. On a #1A in .270 I bought second hand, the previous owner had done the forearm routine and it either did not help or just made it worse. A cut piece of credit card to replace the bedding and the rifle does a useable 1.25". Probably should have done a proper glass job on the forearms but the rifle killed deer just fine.

Two things I've noticed when hunting deer and elk. Get close enough and a 1.50" grouping rifle is more than sufficient. Second, 'v seen damn few bench rests out in the boonies. besides. I like the challenge of getting as close as I possibly can which probably explains why I like hunting with a Ruger #1 or a Browning B78 I have in 30-06.

PJ

i own many Ruger #1`s and have gave the whole family their own Ruger #1`s too , easy and safest rifle for many people to use and understand and yes i had to make some of these Ruger #1`s too shoot better but it was well worth it . my custom Ruger #1 is a S.S. Laminate ,27 inch Brux barrel chambered in a 257 Weatherby mag. my new reamer ,13 degree target crown i reworked the forearm that is glass bedded in the back part of the forearm and the rest of the forearm the barrel is floated, timney trigger 3 lbs. , picatinny custom base ,Nightforce scope and rings ,i even have the rubber ball thing on the barrel too for vibration consistency . i now use Hammer bullets and Reloader 25 powder with velocity averages of 3680 FPS this is my deer rifle so i don`t shoot it fun anymore, my 3 shot groups are always under 3/4 inch some 1/2 inch. yes i did a lot of work to this Ruger #1 but i have killed deer and antelope a long ways out with one shot with this Ruger #1 . don`t forget the Ruger action is one of the strongest actions ever made and it must be true Federal Cartridge Ammo Company has used Ruger #1 actions for over 25 years for pressure testing many different cartridges. Pete53

Overpriced inaccurate POS. A $400 dollar Savage Axis or Ruger American will shoot circles around most #1's at 1/5th the cost.

Here in PA my longest shot ever was 130 yards. I made that with an open sighted 1895. Second longest was 100 yard, done with an Ithaca 37 slug gun and peep sights.
So for me 1 1/2" group at 100 is fine. I don't think that the guns are inherently inaccurate. I think that we expect evey gun to shoot sub 1" groups. I have 2 that do that. A Marlin 1894SS and a Sharps 50-70. Go figure...

Those Ruger 1's can be a challenge for sure.I had two 7mags,one was a 24" V model, the other was a 26" B model.It was a lot of fiddling with the forearms before either one would shoot better.First thing I did was sand down the pressure point at the end of the forearm.Helped a litte,but not much.Ended up with epoxy work on the inside of the forearm around the hanger.That got them both down from being 2-3" shooters to around 1.5" shooters.I bought a box of Tubb's Throat Maintenance Bullets and fired five in each rifle.That was an instant improvement in both rifles.They never shot better,both under an inch.Accuracy was nearly identicle in each rifle.I ended up selling the 1-V and kept the 1-B because it was a lot faster,nearly 200fps faster than the 1-V,shooting the same loads.The Ruger 1's seem to have a lot of common problems that might be fixable.The two I had,I bought about a month a part,so I was working on two rifles at the same time trying to improve their accuracy.If I ever bought another,I'd probably start with a Hick's Accurizer Kit.That would probably be the best way to take care of the forearm issue.The next step would be to try the fire lapping bullets.Here is some examples after I worked on the rifles.

How about the 22" Sporter vs the 26" so far as balance?
It seems that the Sporter is more common and cheaper

So stick with the POS Axis or American. The plastic no class no soul rifles are for some with no…. Well you know.
Why is it there are those that like No 1’s can make them shoot and then those that want to tell everyone how bad the accuracy is supposed to be or expensive( overpriced) they are? Then there are those of us who shoot them and know how to tinker with them. It seems that if they were overpriced the prices on used ones would a whole lot less. Well the prices keep going up and people keep buying.
Oh and how many Americans need fixes for the magazines
or the barrel channels filled and what ever other tinkering it takes to make a ugly POS shoot

I bought #1's because I couldn't afford the High Walls.

My first No.1 was 28 years ago. I bought it second hand and used it to kill many deer and varmits. I've owned 6 different No 1s since then and they were all good shooters that were great hunting rifles. I'm not a target shooter I'm a hunter and will always own at least one number one as long as I'm still hunting. I'm currently waiting for another to be delivered to my FLL.

I saw a 30-06 a few months ago, at one of my usual spots, for $800.00. As for them being "popular", the title of the thread, they seem to be very popular. When I take my one and only #1 to the range, guys always come up and start asking about it. I rarely get that type of attention, when I'm shooting my model 70's, or other rifles. So, yes, they seem to be pretty popular.

If it was in good shape, you should have grabbed it.
I have a 06 that is unfired with the box.
I have only found one 25/06 and it was a V model.
Buddy wanted it and I wanted his model 71.
Now I want his 25-06

I don’t like them. At one time I thought I did. Then I bought a couple never more.

You shared a wealth of knowledge!

Agreed some of us just like a nice looking rifle with class and we know how to make a great expensive rifle too shoot !

I am very conflicted over a #1. I want to love the simplistic design, the bulletproof receiver and action. But then you get the silly scope mounting issues where the scope is easily 1” too far forward for even big bird to use, the trigger issues, forearm tension debacle, then the whole “who made the barrel, is it [bleep] or a good one?”. At some point I just took a step back and said forget this drama. I would love to find a nice one in .257 Weatherby or something like that, but it would have to be really special to pucker up to that frog.

'
Agree.
Ruger No. 1 should have been a bugholer out the gate, but no, she's a drama queen.

Count me in as a fan of the #1. I like the classic lines of a single shot and the challenge they imply of having one shot. Mine are all the tropical models in 405, 35 Whelan, 375 H&H, 450-400. I've used the action for three builds in 7MM-08, 300 Savage and 300 H&H.
I'm also a fan of the High Wall and have a custom gun in 38-55. The Browning B78 is tough to beat as well. I was looking for a 25-06 and didn't find a Ruger that appealed to me but found a B78 that filled the need. It's a very accurate rifle right from the git go so much so I bought another one in 6MM. In addition to being good shooters the wood is better than the Ruger.
I have had two Ruger #1A's that shot lights out a 22 Hornet and a 250 Savage.
30 plus years ago I had a #1AB with great wood in 7X57. I was getting my first custom rifle in 7X57 AI at that time and didn't feel the need for two so I sold the #1. That still pains me to this day

I have not seen one on the shelf for sale since Cabela's was closing out a run of #1a (I think, but could have been #1S) in .280 Remington prior to Covid. They are basically imaginary unless you already own one.

Ha ha. It was in decent shape. Probably a very good deal, but at the moment, I have 6 30-06 rifles. Seems like I always accumulate those damn things!!! Most of them Winchester model 70's. I need another one, like I need a hole in my head! You probably know how that goes. One of my buddies keeps telling me he really wants a Ruger #1. Eventually, I may sell him my 25-06, as I don't shoot it much anymore, after initial load development and playing around with it, to see what these #1's are all about. I like mine, but prefer my model 70's...

At first glance, you would think the Ruger #1 would/should be a tack driver. They do require some trick moves to get them to shoot well. For the most part. Contrary to what some of these guy want to tell you. I'm lucky, as mine has an aftermarket barrel, that also makes all the difference in the world. A little less "drama" free that way..

I also can’t pass one on the rack without picking it up and wondering. I’ve owned a 1B in 7mm Remington Mag and a 1A in 270. Both cured me from wanting to own others

Beautiful rifles for sure but I’ll pass

I am not opposed to removing a bit of wood from the barrel chamber to make it shoot bette, if needed. I did that with a Marlin 1894. Followed Paco Kelly's guide. It now shoots better than anythiing else I have. Planning on doing the same with my 444 Marlin

* RUGER # 1 CATALOGUED CALIBERS BY TYPE AND YEARS MFG *
NOTE: All Years are Aprox.

* 1967-1969 *

RUGER # 1 S-22-L 22" LIGHT WEIGHT
CALIBER YEARS MFG
222 Rem 1967-1967
22-250 Rem 1967-1968
243 Win 1967-1968
6 MM Rem 1967-1968
7 MM Rem Mag 1967-1968
308 Win 1967-1968
30-06 Sprg 1967-1968

RUGER # 1 S-26-M 26" MEDIUM WEIGHT
CALIBER YEARS MFG
222 Rem 1967-1969
22-250 Rem 1967-1969
243 Win 1967-1969
6 MM Rem 1967-1969
264 Win Mag 1969-1969
6.5 MM Mag 1969-1969
7 MM Rem Mag 1967-1969
7 X 57 Mauser 1969-1969
270 Win 1968-1969
280 Rem 1969-1969
308 Win 1967-1968
30-06 Sprg 1967-1969
300 Win Mag 1968-1969

RUGER # 1 S-24-H 24" HEAVY WEIGHT
CALIBER YEARS MFG
375 H&H Mag 1969-1969
45-70 Govt 1969-1969
458 Win Mag 1967-1969



AH - ALEX HENRY SB - SEMI BEAVERTAIL K - STAINLESS RSI -
INTERNATIONAL
NOTE: All Years are Aprox.

* 1970-2006 *

RUGER # 1-A 22" LIGHT WEIGHT AH FOREARM WITH SIGHTS
CALIBER YEARS MFG
204 Ruger 2005-2006
243 Win 1970-2006
270 Win 1970-2006
7 X 57 Mauser 1977-2006
30-06 Sprg 1970-2006

RUGER # 1-AB 22" LIGHT WEIGHT SB FOREARM NO SIGHTS
CALIBER YEARS MFG
204 Ruger 2006-2006
223 Rem 1980-1983
270 Win 1980-1983
7 X 57 Mauser 1980-1983
30-06 Sprg 1980-1983

RUGER # 1-B 26" MEDIUM WEIGHT SB FOREARM NO SIGHTS
CALIBER YEARS MFG
204 Ruger 2004-2006
218 Bee 2003-2006
22 Hornet 2003-2006
222 Rem 1971-1971
223 Rem 1980-2006
22-250 Rem 1970-2006
220 Swift 1988-2006
6 MM Rem 1970-2003
243 Win 1970-2006
257 Roberts 1980-2003
25-06 Rem 1973-2006
270 Win 1970-2006
270 Wby Mag 1988-2006
280 Rem 1980-2003
7 MM Rem Mag 1970-2006
308 Win 2003-2006
30-06 Sprg 1970-2006
300 Win Mag 1970-2006
300 Wby Mag 1988-2006
338 Win Mag 1979-2006

RUGER # 1-KB 26" MEDIUM WEIGHT SB FOREARM NO SIGHTS
CALIBER YEARS MFG
243 Win 2003-2006
25-06 Rem 2003-2006
270 Win 2003-2006
7 MM Rem Mag 2003-2006
7 MM STW 2003-2003
308 Win 2003-2006
30-06 Sprg 2003-2006
300 Win Mag 2003-2006

RUGER # 1-H 24" HEAVY WEIGHT AH FOREARM WITH SIGHTS
CALIBER YEARS MFG
9.3 X 74-R 2006-2006
375 H&H Mag 1970-2006
405 Win 2003-2006
416 Rigby 1991-2006
416 Rem Mag 2003-2003
458 Win Mag 1970-2006
458 Lott 2004-2006

RUGER # 1-KH 24" HEAVY WEIGHT WITH SIGHTS
CALIBER YEARS MFG
375 H&H Mag 2003-2006
405 Win 2003-2006
416 Rigby 2003-2006
458 Lott 2003-2006

RUGER # 1-S 26" MEDIUM WEIGHT AH FOREARM WITH SIGHTS
CALIBER YEARS MFG
218 Bee 2003-2003
7 MM Rem Mag 1970-2003
300 Win Mag 1970-2003
338 Win Mag 1979-2003
45-70 Govt 1970-2006 22"

RUGER # 1-KS 22" MEDIUM WEIGHT WITH SIGHTS
CALIBER YEARS MFG
45-70 Govt 2003-2006

RUGER # 1-V 24" HEAVY WEIGHT SB FOREARM NO SIGHTS
CALIBER YEARS MFG
223 Rem 1980-2006
22-250 Rem 1970-2006
220 Swift 1979-2006 26"
22 PPC 1993-1993
6 MM PPC 1993-1994
6 MM Rem 1980-2003
243 Win 1982-1985
7 MM Rem Mag 1973-1978
25-06 Rem 1971-2006
280 Rem 1980-1983
300 Win Mag 1973-1978

RUGER # 1-KV 24" HEAVY WEIGHT SB FOREARM NO SIGHTS
CALIBER YEARS MFG
204 Ruger 2004-2006
22-250 Rem 2003-2006

RUGER # 1-RSI 20" FULL STOCK INTERNATIONAL WITH SIGHTS
CALIBER YEARS MFG
243 Win 1983-2006
270 Win 1983-2006
7 X 57 Mauser 1983-2006
30-06 Sprg 1985-2006



* RUGER # 1 NON-CATALOGUED CALIBERS *

CALIBER YEARS MFG TYPE COMMENTS
357 Mag 1981-1981 1-A CHP Issue 1820 Mfg. #'s 132-33856 to
45356


* 43 Ruger Single-Shot Calibers *

204 Ruger 270 Weatherby 357 Mag
22 Hornet 280 Rem 375 Win
218 Bee 6.5 Rem Mag 9.3 X 74-R
222 Rem 7 X 57 Mauser 38-55 Win
223 Rem 7 MM Rem Mag 375 H & H Mag
220 Swift 7 MM STW 404 Jeffrey
22-250 Rem 7 MM-08 405 Win
22 PPC 7.63 X 39 416 Rem
6 MM PPC 30-40 Krag 416 Rigby
6 MM Rem 308 Win 44 Rem Mag
243 Win 30-06 Spfd 45-70 Spfd
257 Roberts 300 H & H Mag 458 Win
25-06 Rem 300 Win Mag 458 Lott
264 Win Mag 300 Weatherby
270 Win 338 Win Mag

Tips for Ruger 1 accuracy.
https://www.rifleshootermag.com/editorial/ruger-no-1-single-shot-rifle-tips-improve-accuracy/458720

A friend just bought a #1A in 30-06 with decent wood at a gun show $1895

if you have trouble with the rings and scope not being set back far enough to see well thru the scope , do as i have done i had a steel picatinny base made for my Ruger #1 i hunt with and then used picatinny steel 30mm rings on my Nightforce scope , this type scope system has worked well for me . Pete53

To those that think the Number ones were and are too expensive, consider this, when they first came out they were $265.00 IIRC. Take a look at some of the old arms catalogs back in the day when rifles like the Sharps and Remington rolling blocks were the prized rifles of the period. Winchester 1873 was, IIRC something like $35.00 and up in real hard currency. Sharps were something like $200.00 and up IIRC. That was in real money backed by silver and gold. Taking that into consideration, Ruger #1s were a bargain back then when they came out. We still had real money. Everone is entitled to their opinion and mine is I like the #1s. Been using them since 1975 when I found the first one ever for sale. Many gun shops reused to e ven order one saying they were too hard to get. In 1976/77, I don't remember which, I got a dealer to special order a .300 Win. Mag. #1S. They got a "B" I complained an my dealer called the distributor while I was there and let me complain. I was told they only had the one and that was what they sent. Either take it or send it back. I still have it. BTW, it shoots sub-MOA with preferred handloads.
PJ

I cannot remember the last time that I lost money on a used gun.

God I love these posts. I currently have 5 No. 1's and 1 No. 3.

No. 1H 375 H&H is boring as fug - 100yds:






No. 1S (24") '06 (crappy pic but shoots this way very consistently - 100yds):



No. 3 22 K-Hornet (back to back 5 and 10 shot groups - 100 yds:



I haven't had a No. 1 yet that wouldn't average 1.5 MOA (worst case) and usually we'll under that...

I like the balance of the 24" best, but that's not a common length in the 1S.

The Number 1s must be the last blued steel and walnut rifles Ruger is making. I don't know who is running Ruger these days but the current line up of rifles is appalling in my eyes.

Unfortunately, plastic and stainless is what a lot of the "great unwashed" desire with all their hearts.

if you have a Ruger #1 you don`t care for P.M. me maybe we can make a deal. thanks,Pete53

I realize that you mentioned SS and plastic but I'm a SS fan with wood or a plastic stock. If this makes me part of the "great unwashed" then so be it.

22" stainless A in .35 rem w a black plastic stock sounds darn good to me.