Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots #1 calibers for 2013

yep, 58gr Big Game, 150 Noslers, 3125 fps...at least out of my Liberty .30-06 #1B

1B - we don't need anything that vanilla

unless it's a .270 Roy, then I do. A .270 Oliver only goes so fast...

I wish Ruger would make the #1AH a standard model. Then I'd want one in a .22LR, .222Rem, .257Rob, 6.5x55, and 7x57------------for starters.

Then, since I'm still dreaming, I wish Cabelas would stock them, so I could pick through the walnut and dump my Cabelas points on a couple of them.

You really are a dreamer, aren't you...

I prefer "visionary."

Perhaps your vision quest will be rewarded.

WHAT?!?!?? the website only lists ONE caliber/chambering per model?!?!?

did their webmaster mess up and only list the new one or are they going to do just one caliber per year? It might be cool to change calibers every year like the Rem CDL SF and RMEF but this is going a bit far....

I guess I should budget for that RSI in 7x57 this year.

(I missed the 9.3x74R, I even picked up a bunch of brass for it at an estate sale, then they dropped the caliber from the catalog!)

Poole

someone earlier in the thread posted this: "Ruger� No.1 Rifles are available in select calibers and configurations for 2013, these caliber offerings will be discontinued in 2014, when we will introduce new calibers for these configurations."

oh crap that's what they mean!

the 2nd scary part is.... I better budget for another #1 in 2014 since of the 5 or 6 models they might have another of my many many favorite calibers.... maybe that 9.3 will come back...

Believe it or not, the numbers of Ruger No. 1's sold each year have been going down for quite a while, due to various factors. Probably the biggest is that single-shot, wood-stocked rifles aren't all that fashionable among younger hunters, who much prefer synthetic stocks on stainless-steel bolt actions. You know, for that "serious" hunting where everything is covered with mud or snow.

Thus the limited chambering strategy makes sense. Anybody who seriously wants a 7x57 1A or a .22 Hornet 1B can find a used one, but the demand just isn't enough to justify producing new ones. But there are No. 1 fans who will buy a different cartridge/model configuration.

Ironically enough, I emailed Ruger on their website about six months ago and I asked for more options. I suggested some new chamberings... (None of which were added, BTW) And I also asked for a limited edition No: 1 in a different chambering each year.

One of the things I asked for was for the .17 Hornet in a lwt No: 1. Now, I'm not naive enough to think that my one email had anything to do with the streamlining of the product line, but at least I did SOMETHING!

I wonder how many other affictionados wrote Ruger a letter...

BTW, John, I believe your assessment to be spot on! For my money, I'd rather see a few new choices every year, than continuation of the rifles that I already have... I, too believe the No: 1 market has been shrinking over the years.

I'm going to be pi$$ed if they ever make a 6.5x54, 8mm Mauser, or 9.3x62! 'Cuz I have already made them...

GH

GH,

You have the MOJO! Did Ruger respond at all -- not counting their new strategy announced in 2013?

I would be very surprised if Ruger did not have someone on staff or on contract who at least passively keeps track of email sites like this that regularly discuss their products. There also are companies 'out there' who hire out to major firms to proactively "protect" their internet image! They never say exactly how they do it, but countering critics with 'stalking horse'-- bogus -- denials , praise for products. etc is not beyond the pale of human experience. Not to mention more dire, cyber equivalents of the Uncle- Guido-in Detroit solution.... (grin) (Yeah, another tinfoil hatter.)

I am not that much concerned for myself in the cutbacks of #1 prodcuction as I now have just about everything I want. And I roll my own when I want something different done to my tastes.

But in time you will not be seeing much vibrancy in the NIB market. Younger would-be collectors denied access to once standard NIB offerings at affordable costs are just going to become observers who, like chicks in the nest, have to squawl for sustenance over meager servings.

Maybe every 5 to 10 years Ruger could offer another set -- like the Boddington African series -- of 1Bs and Ss in exotic calibers like 30-06, .270, 7MM and .300 mag! They could call it the "Remember When" set -- #s 1,2, etc.

1B

I would like though to see #1 rifles offered in more rimmed cartridges as this just seems proper for single-shots. 7X57R would be nice!

I hope you said that with tongue-in-cheek... I'm not sure I'd want to be known as a "VISIONARY"!



Seems to me that we have quite a lot of "Visionarys" on these pages...

For myself, if there is something I want in a No: 1, and Ruger doesn't make it, well then I just 'git er done'...

For example: I had a No: 1 in 9.3x74R years before Ruger made it. If anyone would have asked, I'd have sworn that Ruger never would. I purchased a used, cheap 1-B out of the GUN List, then bought a 9.3 barrel blank at a Gun Show. Turned the rifle and the barrel over to a gunsmith that I know. He milled the blank tapered octagon, and fitted it to the action, installed a Qtr. Rib. And then fitted a Schnabel fore-stock that I had acquired. A custom frt. sling swivel and about a year later: Wallah: I had a No:1 in 9.3x74R. And BION, I had less invested than the later Lipsey's Special Editions.

My point is: One can pay a lot of money for a high profile Custom 'Smith (like J. Korzinek, or Hamiton Bowen) to do your build, OR one can be patient and do it on the cheap and be very satisfied.

GH

Been having sellers remorse....that sweet shooting pretty walnut K1A Swede.........why do I let the gems go...

Ed, dad always said, if you want to do something right....no doubt, if you want something that's not offered, you can have it with some planning. Had a 6BR once on a #1...miss that one too! Dang, something about the single shots...the RSI 243...LW 1885 243....the 260s I passed in same rifle.....

They do get 'habit forming' right Ed?

Indeed they do!

That was most definitely tongue in cheek. I could always substitute the phrase "pigs will fly," but "visionary" sounds a little more fitting for a single shot aficionando.

I can't argue with your logic of building the guns you want. BUT good things come along just often enough to those who wait, that it reinforces laziness-------on my part anyway. Case in point (Ruger even); I lusted for a Flattop Blackhawk in .44spl for years, but building one from scratch meant serious dollars and finding a suitable donor revolver. Finally the good people at Lipseys twisted Ruger's arm enough to have them built, and I've lived happily ever after at a fraction of the cost and hassle.

I like your logic... And you certainly got results. (And I have yet to buy a flat-top .44 Spec... Darn it!)

Just goes to prove that whenever there's a debate, there is two sides...

Have a great day!

GH

Looks like Ruger is pretty much giving up on the Number 1 except for whatever few calibers they might run each year. This is very, very sad.