Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Okay, crazy question but I'll ask it anyway...

Can a Ruger #1 be made into a 38-55 by a gunsmith and if so what model would you chose to do so?

I told you it was a crazy question.

Well... I guess it would depend on what you're going to do with it... Since the #3 was available in .375 Win... (Basically the same case), I'd think that any #1-B or #1-S could be rebarreled... As they share the same barrel contour as the #3. However, you MAY be confined to a 22"-24" barrel as the taper MAY be too thin beyond 24". Personally, I don't view that as a problem... As the 24" length will give you about all the velocity that the case will stand pressure-wise.

Unless, of course, you intend to shoot Black Powder... Then you will likely need 30"-32" to optimize velocity.

If it were me, I'd likely just look around for a #3 in .375 Win. If you really want a .38/55, a gunsmith could lengthen the chamber the amount needed and you could likely shoot both. Of course the Ruger action is much stronger than a lever Marlin or Winchester 94.

I distinctly remember one of the writers stating in print back when the .375 Win. 1st came out that he shot some factory loads (.375 Win.) in a .38/55 with no ill effects. (I believe just some handful of rounds... NOT a steady diet...)

Most of the advantages of the #3 to customize are now negated by their inflated value. i.e: Most #3's now cost as much as a No:1 donor... I, myself; have #3's converted to .32-40 Win, and .356 Win... and I purchased one in .338/06 AI. But these were back in the day when #3's were cheap... Plus, I have a #3 action waiting for inspiration to strike... (I'm thinking .35 Win or .444 Marlin...)

Hope the above commentary is of some use to you...

GH

Yup, it does. Helps with barrel length for white powder.

Playing with a lot of ideas. Might do something next summer if Obama leaves some change to play with. Trying to decide to go with a Sharps, Hi-wall or the #1 route. Also looking into the lever action route as well. Single shots are probably best for a south paw who is primarily killing paper and gongs.

Thanks.

I just remembered... Back in the late '70's or early 80's Ruger made a limited run of the #1-S in .38/55. The collectors snagged them all up, and I have NEVER seen one for sale... Presumably they had 26" bbls, but I don't know that for fact. Since the 1-S in .45/70 has a 22" bbl, perhaps that's all the .38/55's had.

Perhaps El Numero Uno will weigh in on that point. He likely knows...

I assume that you are aware, that recently Brown/chester had some limited runs of the 1885 in .38/55. Namely the 16" bbl'd Trapper model and the Traditional Hunter w/Cresent Butt, and I think DAVIDSONS had a run of the same thing as the Traditional Hunter, but with Shotgun Butt. May have been called a Sporting Rifle or perhaps just: Sporter. Thus; those may be an option for you...

The Ruger No.1 in the S configuration in .38/55 had the 26" barrel; I picked up a NIB one at the last Dallas Market Hall Gun Show. I think they were made more like the late '80's.

Thanks, ENU; I was sure you'd know... Must be pretty thin at the muzzle... Do you know how many were made? And weren't they a special run for the RCA or the ASSRA ?

I remember that some collector had an ongoing ad in the GUN LIST wanted section, asking for them, and the Ruger M-77 in .416 Taylor (Of which I believe only TWO were built...)

GH

yep, .38-55 #1's are interesting but pretty spendy, when they turn up. I think the last one I saw on Gunbroker was $2000.

One of these oughta shoot well, and cost less:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=313348832

I have a 9.3x62 1B rebore that gets real close to that caliber.

I also stupidly walked away from a 38-55 1S on sale for $850 at a local show only to return a few minutes later to an empty spot on the table. GRRR!

1B

For GH, and any others who may have an interest, the ASSRA No.1's were an Action Only and ~100 were made. The RCA 10th Anniversary rifles were a 1S in .300 WM, with somewhere between 20 and 30 made. They were engraved by Ray Viramontez on both sides with a gold "10" and "RCA".
I think there were 8-10 of the M77's in the .416 Taylor; maybe 12. Know there were more than 2.
I don't think the .38/55 is any thinner at the muzzle than any of the .35 cal A weight barrels, or the 1S .45/70 in the medium (B) weight barrel.
ENU

Dude, I assure you No. 1's are great for south paws, whatever you are killing.