Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Ruger No. 1's sure are pretty!

I got my #1V 6mm Rem out of the safe last night just 'cuz I hadn't had it out in a while. I just love the feel and the lines of the #1. Ruger really did it right when they designed the #1. I'm not nearly as fond of the looks of the #3 or other types of single shots, although I like the way my Encore shoulders with open sights.
Have you fondled your #1 today?

I fondled my 1a yesterday.

Had to dig one rifle out of the safe that was in the back. The others were simply pulled out and put back in, but the no.1 got a little extra attention.

My wife caught me fondel my #1's yesterday, I told her she had to wait until I was done with the 6 Encores.

She is so patient.

Doc

I am torn between the #1H in 405 Win and the 1871 Buffalo Classic in 45-70. No contest -- out comes the #1.

You guys are all going to go blind!

I just admire mine from a distance, unless killing game or periodic maintenance is the order of the day wth them.

Besides with 30 of them you could lose a lot time fondling them equally.

1B

surprised I am the first to post a photo...

tex n cal, that is just not right. 22-250? Lovely....

OMG... purdy... purdy... purdy!!! Almost as "purdy" as my RSI, Tex!

Hmmmmmmmm... THAT reminds me, I haven't "hugged" my RSI today... YET !!! 'Scuse me, I think my RSI is calling... kinda make ya wonder what the Ruger #1 "NON-owners" are doing for their "lovin' ", n'est pas?!?

They are good looking rifles, that also handle and shoot well. Here's my 7mm Rem mag:

yup, .22-250. Those are 3 consecutive 5 shot groups at 100 yds. Save the one called flier, it is an honest 1/2" rifle.

Here's my .300 Liberty Model

Here are three of mine:



Top to bottom, my pre-warning 1A in .270 WCF, 1V in .22-250, and 1A in 7x57mm. My 1B in .257 Roberts is currently away getting a new trigger and should be back in a month or so.

In the mean time, I scored this RSI in 7x57mm from a dealer in Kansas. (It should be here next week.):

tex n cal - nice wood on that .300 and it looks like you can really seat those bullets out long... Nice...

Wow, tex n cal, awesome wood on the buttstocks!
Nice pickup there, Bricktop! Gotta love those RSI's.

My #1V 6mm has some really nice wood, I'll try to get a picture up when I get the chance.

Here she is!
I killed my first deer with a #1V in 6mm Rem and stupidly sold it. 20 years later I found this one. You can bet that I won't be selling it!

They really are a classy rifle with a lot of character right off the bat.

Here's some more gratuitous No. 1 porn:




These are some pictures sent to me by Fred Melzer of Calgary, Alberta. http://www.angelfire.com/ma/ZERMEL/

I'm still getting all of the details, but it was rebarreled to 6.5x284 with an octagon barrel. Fred says it started life as a 1B and the forearm was reworked to an Alexander Henry configuration.

My 65 by 55.

Envy or jealousy can't decide which..... very nice Bricktop and 65BR

yup...it has a long throat. I think those were 180 Partitions loaded in those three cartridges, and my notes say it runs well with an OAL of 3.61" and a stiff charge of reloader 22. I have seen 180 grain velocities over 3200 fps out of her, those definitely were max loads.

I like the stainless steel with the real wood... Looks great!

I'll occasionally go out to the gun room just to get into the #1 cabinet. Just looking at 'em is sometime enough but picking one up looking it over is pretty cool. They just have such great classy lines to them. Only 4 currently but with the class they exibit, there will be more.

Thanks Guy, I do too, if the 250-3000s would ever come out......I might bite.....if the wood was like this 6.5mm.

Mr. sambo3006;
Thanks for the interesting thread and thanks to all who put up photos of their No. 1's.

While I've put this up before, here is my '82 vintage No.1B in .300WinMag with the original butt stock and a fore end that I did up myself one winter.

Anyway, it was my main saddle gun for years and still goes out for a walk once in awhile even though it's a little on the heavy side.

Have a good weekend all.
Dwayne

BC30Cal, GuyM, Tex n cal, Bricktop, 65BR All beautiful rifles.

L to R

1975 B in .30-06
1980 H in .458 Win Mag
1981 RSI in .243 Win
2004 K in 7.62 x 39mm
2006 AE in .30-06
2008 A in 7x57 Mauser
2008 AB in .204 Ruger (Be here Monday)

3 Red Pads, 3 Brunettes, I'm ashamed of the orgy!

Wish I won the wood lottery, but I didn't do terrible. I'm certainly not a very good camera man.



Whatch think about this one?

My new 25-06

The wood on my #1's is pretty average looking, but I still think they are pretty handsome. I like the heavy stainless barrel look since I'm a p-dog shooter. Both use 30-30 cases necked down and shortened.

.204 Wasp

.219 DW PDK

.204 Wasp #1 with pleased owner after 634 yd. p-dog shot last month in S. Dakota.
Dave in IN

That is gorgeous. I sure would like to have one of those .45-70's, and in fact yours is better looking than most of the 50th anniversary models, that had the blond Circassian Walnut

What wood! wow

I have two and both have really fine wood. My only complaint is that the wood/metal fit could be be a little better. In each instance though it's an issue of excess wood, so I'm tempted to take them down a bit.

Yes, the wood is proud on mine too.

Not only are Number 1's elegant rifles, but where else do you get wood like this on a factory rifle that costs less than $1,000?

Top to bottom, 7 x 57 mm in a Light Sporter, .30-06 in a red pad B, and an AB in .204 Ruger.

Not too many places!

Not even from Ruger anymore, on any consistent basis. Lots of there new wood needs paint jobs.

1B

A few years ago Tom Gresham posted on an online forum that he was planning to interview Tom Ruger and solicited questions from the forum. I sent the .22-250 photo and asked how come they don't use wood like that anymore I never did find out if he passed it on to TR or not.

Top is a 450/400, bottom is a 458 Lott:

Beautiful!!!!!

And black pads mean they still put nice walnut on some No. 1's.

I've got two that are surprisingly nicely figured for recently manufactured. Just got to keep your eyes open.

yup, there was a .405 for sale recently that I wanted, but couldn't afford due to my pending .222. That .405 had great wood, worthy of any #1 vintage.

Ruger #1 favorites: Top down: 22Hornet, 22-250, 45-70, 375HH

Actually I have been toying with the idea of selling it,I bought it from Carl Ross a few years ago some of you Ruger guys should know who he is.This is an Early Ruger No 1S. It has most of the features of the Non-Prefix rifles but is in the Transitional configuration. This rifle was shipped in Nov 1971 . This rifle has the extremely Rare "S" Safety marking instead of SAFE.Also where it is marked on the barrel 45-70 it's just "45-70" not "45-70 GOV".

I think I need one in a 257 Wby and 26" tube!

jeez, you fellers are givin me the gunlust for some more #1's, i gotta stay away from this thread or i'll be in the poorhouse. hard to top a rifle as classsy looking as the #1, and when you put eye candy wood on there, that just the frosting on the cake.

K-1A in 7.62x39, topped off with a leupy 1.75-6x:

#1-s 45/70

anniversary gun in 45/70, leupold 1-4x glassware

Yes,

I am a butt man...............

Iowegian,

Very Nice! And half of them black pads too! You must have a good wood pipe line.

1B

Funny, that's what my wife says.................

But seriously, I always look for the pretty wood, and have paid extra for that issue/problem.

I only found the 7 X 57 black pad 1-A in a gunshop in MN. The rest I have purchased after seeing pictures that I couldn't resist.

FyrepowrX,

That is one beautiful 45-70. Your "S" and your 50 year Anniv.!!!

I always drool over the 50th Anniv. models when they are on GunBroker.

What I don't understand is the extremely wide range in pricing? I see them listed for $1999 to $1350.

Did you buy yours new, and how far back did it send you?

You can answer in a PM if you'd rather not post for the world to see,

Thanks,

Mitch

Found this .458 Win mag not long ago.

GuyM,
Ruger should have put the forearm off of my .458 Win. Mag on your rifle!!!!

Wow - Don't see many fore-ends that nice...

Not my rifle. Considered it and passed. Couldn't figure out why in the heck I'd need a .458 Win mag, even if it was so nice...

Believe it's still for sale.

Guy

What does gun purchases have to do with "need"? I live in IA, and will never hunt dangerous game. That's why I sold my .458 LOTT.

If you use reason when debating your next gun purchase, you will be in for a struggle.

For me it's all about fun............

I was all set to paste a picture of my most recent #1 with half octagon barrel chambered in 40-82 WCF and found I couldn't paste a photo. How do you guys get your pictures installed? As soon as I decode it, I'll paste it.

Oddly enough, it shoots less than 1" with DKT 260 gr. "trashcans" intended for the 401 Winchester. They are almost like jacketed wadcutters with all the ballistic shapes of a can of Pepsi.

Go here:

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/faq

You have the option of either posting an image within your message or uploading the photo as an attachment. Scroll down to "How do I add an image to my message?" or "Can I attach a file to my post?" and follow those directions.

Freedumb...i stumbled across that one at a gunshow years back. saw the gun early, but didnt have the loot, and i ended up selling off a shotgun at the end of the show, so went back to find it...and couldnt remember where it was.

looked all around where i thought it should be, and saw one fellow packing up, and i asked him if he'd seen any #1's for sale. it was his gun, he had already packed it up. paid $1200 as i recall. i've also seen a wide range of prices, guess some folks just think there is worth more.



the other 45/70 i havent had long..stumbled across it while prowling for a #1-A, and i still havent totally convinced myself i need 2 45/70's, but its hard for me to turn loose of good wood.

Hopefully you can see my custom #1.

It started as a 45-70. The gunsmith (Todd Lockburner in Monument CO) pulled the 45-70 barrel and installed a custom .406 wildcat barrel I had made some years back on a P13 Action. He set back the barrel and re-chambered with the 40-82 Clymer reamer I bought. The barrel is 26" as mounted. You can see the half octagon stops at the forearm. He made the hanger and cut the forearm to match the octagon shape. He took the scope mount from the 45-70 and shaped it to fit on the Octagon flat. He blued the barrel and I had it engraved in script to "Fourty Eighty two WCF". Lastly I installed a barrel ring sling point ahead of the forearm.

As I mentioned earlier, the amazing (to me) thing is how it shoots the DTK jacketed "wad cutters" that were made for the 401 Winchester. I've received a special order of Hawk semispitzers I've loaded to see how they shoot. If they match the DTK's then it's not only nice looking but really is a shooter.

I use Starline 45-90 brass with Redding forming die and die set.

BTW, if anyone is as nutz as I am, the Clymer 40-82 is available for rent or sale. Not sure what to do with the 45-70 barrel minus its' scope mount.

for you guys interested in the wood,I bought a 7mm REM MAG in the bicentennial year-Ruger,I was told, put especially beautiful wood on their #1's that year-I have restocked many rifles, and none was ever any prettier than the wood on that #1-bought it with a heavy barrel because I wanted to kill a deer at over 500 yds,just once-the only bullet this rifle would shoot was a 120gr HP-but with this bullet( out of the 300 or more rifles I have owned in my life) was the most accurate-i always shoot 5 shot groups-it would pur them in same hole whether 5 or 25!-so if you see a 7mm bicentenial year buy it-it would be a bargain at any price-when my wife gets her new camera, I'll post a #1 that will knock your eyes out-it was carved by the late Temple Lide -my wife bought this for me as a present-I always considered his work a little to extravagant for a poor-boy!-its in 270, and also does not like heavy bullets

OGS,

I'm confused, do you have a pretty gun for sale?

Don't you be dangling carrots in front of me, unless your posting a price!!!!!!

I'm looking for a pretty RSI, and would love a 270 WIN.

POST A PICTURE!!!!

Here's a couple of my favorites, from left to right......1-S 45-70, RSI 7x57, RSI .243, 1-V 25-06.


Here's a closeup of the RSI 7x57 butt stock.....


And a closeup of the RSI .243.......

That 7 X 57 RSI is a BEAUT!!

If you ever think of selling....................





TEASE!!!!

re:Freedumb

there is a price on everything-this statement lost me my favorite 1956 F100 Ford truck!-it has also lost me many rifles and pistols-not counting the 60 or so I have given away in my lifetime as presents!-now, about this #1 in 270:it's one of those that cuts those little 5 shot groups that measure 5/8-3/4" on a very regular basis-it's topped with a Shepherd scope, and of course the stock being custom checkered and carved by the great Temple Lide-I just can't bring myself to part with this one-it will be along with many of my best up for bids when I croak off-lots of luck at the auction!!!!(remember to try lighter weight bullets in your 270 or 7 REM Mag,you might be in for a pleasant surprise) gotta wait till we get a digital camera before I can post any photos-hope they can do it justice-she's a beauty

This is the best thread yet. I'll have to get my humble pics up. If you had a #1 with some "plain" wood who might you guys suggest that was competent to put on some custom wood on a #1.

I think you're the guy!

You can get some really nice wood stocks, inlet for your rifle, and do it yourself. It would be a great winter project, and you'd have a real nice looking Number One to show off at the range next spring!

I like working with stocks, very rewarding.

Guy

This seller on Brokegunner.com has some nice stuff. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=139510768 There is also someone on eBay selling nice semi-finished stock sets.

Gosh, lots of responses from #1 lovers. I just realized that I never posted my #1 porn. Here she is, a #1V 6mm Remington.

OK, I gave mine a hug. .270RSI.

gewerfreund,

The wood supplier outfit you suggested does indeed have some nice wood and they are seriously inot #1 work to boot. I've been in touch with them for years now but never actually had them do any work for me, yet.

They also offer some interesting and different foreend shapes. I only wish I had the skills to fit and finish and checker a "semi-finished" stock. My own stock guy is retired now. Just when I found a slamming pretty piece of english walnut too.

1B

I hope you oiled it up when you were done............

Let me know if your selling, I'm in the market for a pretty RSI in 270, 243, or 7 X 57.

BEAUTIFUL !!!

Freedumb1: Thanks for the compliment. This one will probably go to the grandkids. I've really enjoyed looking at everyone's No 1's on this thread. There really is some great looking wood. Here's a better photo.

GrandPa!!!!

I finally found you!!!!!!

Hey guys! Wanted to pass on a little tip I learned back in the day-for any gun with two piece stocks, for my customs that would take the time, I used to order the butt-stock first in semi-fancy -two to three weeks later I would order the fore-end for the same firearm in semi-fancy-most people would have sworn that the wood was presentation grade-instead of having a plain fore-end or buttstock, they would send much better wood when I separated my orders-since I'm not restocking many any more so I don't guard my old secrets like I used to-good luck!

Oldgunsmith,

Neat idea!

let me ask you for your opinion regarding wood for two piece rifles.

I love high figure wood in the butt section but have been told that you do not want weird wood grain flows in the wrist section; that parallel, horizontal grain is preferable, as it is stronger and less likely to splinter under recoil.

Also that wood types -- say walnut -- vary greatly in their density. The best I hear is Australian walnut with Turkish, English, French and US in its wake.

Your thoughts?

1B

1B, there is NO other wood for a custom rifle than what we call "English" walnut. French, Turkish, etc there is just no way to compare the good stuff to soft American black walnut. American can be very colorful and attractive but you just will not find it on high end rifles. Too fragile. Call Luxus and stick with the good stuff and you will be very pleased.

Here is some pretty good Turkish from the Martin and Hagn shop.

josh

Sure would like to see the rest.................

re:1B wood choice

I was just trying to let gun-nuts whose billfold is not too fat a way to get colorful wood fore and aft-I didn't want to get into an argument over what wood is best or who has the most beautiful rifle-I have a couple of rifles in a museum one is well over 100yrs old, the other over 200yrs old , these two rifles are stocked in that miserable American Black Walnut-there is one in the back of my closet stocked in mesquite and a low wall Winchester leaning in the corner stocked in quilted Maple-Sharpshooter's rifle is really beautiful-the figure in the wrist should answer the question on durability of highly figured wood-on your single shot I don't know if you are doing the work yourself or not, if you have the money, I like a bullet trap in the toe or butt of the stock!-as for me, you can tell I don't care where the wood comes from as long as it is beautiful-one thing I left out: if you are barreling up something like the 460 or one of the other elephant guns, you might not want too much figure in the wrist or against the receiver-hey Sharpshooter....what do you charge to stock me a rifle like that??

Free, here are a couple of more pictures of the Martini and Hagn. Rumor has it that it is shipping to the owner in a week or two.

j

Oldgun, please read the post. Both times I made it clear that this rifle is from the shop of Martin Hagn and Ralf Martini. Currently, Ralf Martini has moved to his own shop. My guess is the stocking job would be around 4K-5K plus the blank. He's a couple of years behind, so if you want a rifle stocked you had better get in line.

j

Oldgun, a final thought. One of the reasons you will find high end stockers exclusively using the English/Turkish/etc is the lack of fragility in relation to grain orientation. English is much less likely to fail even if the grip grain runs poorly. Of course a good stocker is not going to get caught making such a journeyman mistake as poor layout with any wood.

The layout on the rifle I pictured is excellent and it has an extended bottom tang just for effect.

j

Hey dude: I.ve been stocking my own for about 30 years, I knew when I read your first that you didn't stock your own-I also build my own tools where they are easier on my hands and muscles-I quit working for other people about 20 years ago where I could start to enjoy my own rifles--alot of people don't understand that if you love to hunt and target shoot, you should never be a gunsmith, as it takes all your time just to make a living-it's a shame that a really handsome rifle costs about the same as 3 or 4 acres of good land

"The older I get, the better I was !"

That's utter Horseschit.

Proper grain layout is proper grain layout- Period.

Talk to ANY high end smith who restores/repairs and older English and European guns and they will tell you poorly laid out English Walnut (Juglans Regia ) splits and crack like any other when poorly laided out..

Wood is wood ,Sir.

There are no Kevlar fibers in English walnut last I checked.

Arrogant folks with more money than common sense can talk themselves into believing anything if it strokes their own ego..

Your comments and photos here concerning wood sure are proof of THAT.

Well that's a good topic that went into the dump.

Grow up, Jim. All wood is different. Species have their strong points and weak points. All you have to do is look up their various properties.

Wood is wood? What a maroon. Have you seen a lot of balsa or pine stocks lately?

Sounds like you are unhappy because some folks put more money in their rifles than others.

And to be honest, I do converse with a few of the better stockmakers and gunsmiths working today.

j

Sorry, Cesna..

I have watched Sharpshooter piss all over everyone elses choices of guns and equipemtn here for too long..

His last IGNORANT and STUPID gernalistic comments about walnut speices and THEN parading around that Crossgrained POS he put on that Hagn put me over the edge.

The "emperor has no clothes" here..

Sorry, He is full of schit.

his own posts and pictures on this thread prove that..

Jim, just which Hagn are you talking about? The pictures I just posted are from a rifle that was not built for me. It was built in 1999/2000 for a Canadian customer and I just bought it. It is not even delivered yet.

Maybe this is the POS that you are thinking about? This is the 300 win mag that I had built several years ago.

Are my rifles a problem for you?

j

Sharpshooter,

Yes- All walnut species has its good and bad points.. I agree on that.. The problem IS that was NOT what you said in your previous posts.

You JUST posted even CROSS GRAINED English is superior to ALL American Black walnut if one reads you prior posts taken as a whole. I am glad to see you have the sense to back off of that silly view point.

BTW, Looking at that crossgrained blank you used on the buttstock for that Hagn, the "better smiths" you converse with, SURE are not doing you any favors with regards to proper wood selection.

And thats a fact.

Maybe here is a better look at the POS 300. By the way, I didn't choose that particular blank, Martin Hagn did.

j

The FIRST Hagn pic was the one I was talking about..

The only problem I have with the second to last one you just showed was the fact the 'smith drowned the blank in Alkenet root stain. GOOD wood does not need to be stained..

I really like that last one. Damn good peice of wood.

Whatever floats your boat.. Rock on..Just quit spewing generalistic BS about American Black and other woods you don't really know a thing about because you have never used them side by side with English.....

And BTW, I met Martin Hagn nearly twenty years ago (1992) at Monte Mandarino's house in Kalispell when he was delivering a Magnum Hagn action to be stocked up later.. He was a hell of a nice man and a great gunsmith..

But even HE would admit he does not know everything..

Jim you will forgive my ignorance, I trust, but I don't see any pictures of the first Hagn that give much information about the grain through the grip.

I suppose I just need to hire you as my expert stock picker, since I am too stupid to figure out what to buy.

And I trust you will forgive me again when I feel free to post my own opinion about quality wood stocks? I vote with my wallet on my own choices, hopefully you will most mecifully permit me my opinion?

By the way, if you want to see cross grained Turkish, you should see what I sent Ralf for the lightweight 257 Weatherby. You'll need a traqualizer. Luxus wouldn't even price it, just told me to send a blank check!.

j

Well, Crossgrained wood is simply that..

I could give a tinkers damn how YOU spend YOUR money. You could stock your Hagns in Cottonwood for all I care..

The problem I have is you are comming on this thread with those first couple of posts damning ALL American Balck walnut as being inferior, and THEN posting a pic of cross grained piece of Turkish on a rifle as being superior..?

THAT is the Horseschit part.

Sorry..

And BTW, I am sure the "good and honest" folks at Luxus would sell you ALL the poorly laid out wood they have on hand..