My son and I were bear hunting today, I had the 375 H&H Number One with me, with a 270 grain Hornady round-nose soft point chambered.



So very glad I had that powerful rifle on hand, when this dangerous beast appeared!



There's no such thing as too much gun!

Horrors!! Always carry enough gun!

Reminds me of Ken with his .460 Weatherby for Jacks.

Never can be too safe.

Good for you to stay well armed Guy!

I had a similar incident several years back. I didn't have a .375 though. All I had was my 1A 6.5 Swede. The massive beast decided there was only room for one of us in the forest and charged. I barely escaped with my life! It helped me gain a newfound respect for this cartridge and all that has been done with it over its 120+ year history.

If we've only got one shot in the rifle.. Better make it count!

Not to stray too far off topic, but how does that 1A balance? Are they butt-heavy? I've never owned a #1, but the 1A in 6.5x55 or 7x57 always looked like a classy and useful setup with a good 2-7 or 2.5-8. Handy in a box blind too.

IMO, it is a little muzzle light. Balances pretty well if you tote it with your hand right at the action (just in front of the lever). I imagine a 24" barrel might give it just enough to balance better, but maybe not. For that rifle though, I wouldn't want any more weight. In that picture, it was wearing a 2.5-8x36. It is currently wearing an older M8 4x and weighs 8.19lbs without a sling. The slight muzzle-light feel it has really makes if feel lighter and livelier than the weight would have you believe.

Even though it is heavier (though I haven't actually weighed it yet), my 1S .35 Whelen with its heavier 24" barrel balances much better and feels more....deliberate...I guess.

But yes, that little 1A is a pleasure to maneuver in a box blind or even in a tree stand. Pretty fine Southern Whitetail rig. I am probably going to go back to a 2.5-8x36mm or try a 6x36mm instead, but other than that, it is about ideal for my purposes.

Guy, sorry if this is too much of a hijack!

Ha! We tend to do that here on the Campfire.

Besides, I just learned some good stuff about your rifle, how it handles, etc... Thanks! I'd like another Number One someday to compliment the 375, something mild to shoot and still useful for at least deer sized game.

Regards, Guy

I think the balance on the #1A is decent but may depend on whatever cartridge the rifle is chambered. My 7x57 and .270feel about right to me but the .243 is a bit muzzle heavy. I have three #1's in .300 Win. Mag. a "B" and two "S" models, all there having 26" barrels. The "S models seem to be about perfect while the "B" feels just a bit clumsy. All three are sub-MOA rifle BTW. The #1V .223 needs wheels and a horse to pull it along but is very accurate. Personally, I this the Rugrer #1 S models are the most pleasing to my eye. YMMV.

Man, I'm just thankful you had enough gun!

Those 270gr bullets might be a little light though!

Well, some of the commentary above got me curious about weights on the various configurations. The wife isn't home right now so I decided to pull out one of her food scales (ssshhhhhhhh!) and see how things compared.

Here are the three rifles I compared:

1A -- 8lbs, 3.7oz
1S -- 8lbs, 8.6oz
1B -- 8lbs, 15.8oz (we'll call it 9lbs even)

I checked the 1A and 1S several times...I couldn't believe that the difference between the two was only 4.9 ounces. Really surprised me how differently they handle with such a small difference in weight between the two.

Just so everyone knows how each of these are outfitted as weighed:

1A -- 6.5x55, 22" barrel, factory butt pad, Leupold M8 4x32mm
1B -- .30-06, 26" barrel, slightly shortened butt w/ Decelerator pad, Leupold FX-III 6x42mm.
1S -- .35 Whelen, 24" barrel, slightly shortened butt w/ Decelerator pad, Leupold VX-III 2.5-8x36mm

I have tried weighing my 1V .220 Swift in the past but the scale mentioned above doesn't go high enough to measure this rig. PJ Gunner's comment about needing wheels and horse is pretty accurate...as is his comment about accuracy!

Take it for what it is...but I thought it was pretty interesting.

Interesting.

I had a 1A in .35 Whelen with the 22" barrel. Just felt a little too muzzle light for me. In fact, I pulled the scope off and put a NECG peep on it. With 250's at 2500 that thing was brutal off the bench. One of the 'fastest' kicking rifles I've ever fired. My buddy and I kept smashing our hands on the lever. Anyway, ended up selling it on here (to ol' Larry Root, of all people!)

Always thought if it had been a 1S model I probably would still have it. Oh well, ended up finding a 1S in 9.3x62 which is damn near perfect for me, just got it back Saturday from R.J. Jenner' shop. Will post up photos of the new German Stalking Rifle here as soon as I can get out and get some good fence post pics!

Not a whole lot of difference between the 9.3x62 and .35 Whelen (.358" vs .366"). After toting my 1S Whelen for a season and shooting it a bunch more this year, I agree with you that it is about perfect in regards to proportions, handling, etc....even if it is a bit of overkill for our Southern deer.

Can't wait to see pics of your rifle. I'll toss one of mine up here too just for grins.

This little buck was the first game I have taken with this rifle since I got it late last year:

Nice! Congrats on the buck, with a fine looking rifle. That's the 2.5-8x Leupold? Looks good.

Guy

Thanks Guy! Yes, that is the Leupold 2.5-8x36mm. Of the various scopes I have played with on #1's over the years, that is one I keep coming back around to.

I love those 2.5-8x36 as well. I think they are about perfect for the No. 1.

What recoil pad is that on your 35 Whelen?

Looks good!!

1 inch, red Pachmayr Decelerator. Our own Redneck from the 'Fire did the install. Had him do this rifle and my .30-06 1B. Big difference before and after on the 1B. I never fired the 1S with the factory pad though--I knew right away that I was swapping the hard rubber out.

Guy, I was hunting bear one hot september day with my .375.....granted I had light loads in it, the 220 grain load JB got from me. Be that as it may, I was hot and tired walking back to the ranch house and there was a rattler stretched across the path, who immediately turned towards me when I got close and opened for business.
I don't have the time for this [bleep]...

One shot...one kill

I tried a 2.5-8X Leupold on my RSI, had to crawl the stock a bit. Ended up using an old M8 4x (longer tubes).
Even then I had to run an offset ring at the back.
Could have run two offsets and the 2.5-8X............but could only tolerate the look of one.
On the RSI, a funky ring kinda keeps with the Euro look LOL
I dunno what the thing weighs.

I have the 2.5-8X on my 10/22 at the moment.
Would be nice to have a #1A in .300 savage or .35 rem.
Maybe next yr.
Kid's college killing my toy fund.

The first go around I had with the 2.5-8x36 I had to crawl the stock a little as well--but just on the higher end. Like 6X and up.

On the next rifle, I turned the rear sight around on the quarter rib and this allowed me to get the scope back just enough that I don't have to crawl unless I am out of position somewhat with the scope on 8x.

All of the above is with the scopes mounted in #3 rings. They align the scope to my eye perfectly as I shoulder the stock so I am pretty stubborn about changing. That is why I haven't tried any offset rings yet.