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I've had Ruger #1's in 220 Swift, 7mm Mag, 300 H&H, 45-70 and 458 Win Mag, for some reason got the hankering for another one, this time in 7x57/275 Rigby, not knocking the rifle/brand/build at all, but when did prices skyrocket?

I always bought or sold around 7 to 900 bucks, holy damn, they're 13 to 1400 bucks and up today, kind of a shell shocker, guess I shoulda been keeping up.

Gotta climb out from under that rock from time to time.

Hell, I bought a brand new .243 from SAS a few years ago for $769, IIRC. He had some other similar deals at the time, but ol’ Dumbazz here had to buy the 10 pounder. At least I got my money back when I sold it.

LOL, you're right Pappy, I still have an eye out for a pretty 7x57/275 with nice wood.................................it's that damn bag of ammo I keep staring at every time I walk by the den safe, recently found, loaded over 20 years ago, it is 100 [well 98 after chrono] beautiful brand new Norma cases loaded with 175gr Hornady round nosed bullets at 2409 fps over 4350 powder, I want to shoot those damn loads in a new Ruger #1.

Maybe 10 years...maybe 8. When Ruger dropped the #1 as a regular cataloged item and a few distributors went to managing only small runs...I'd say that was the beginning of the ever increasing prices.

You can still find some sub-$1K...but those are usually older models...with rather plain wood. Most folks on GB have taken advantage of the semi-discontinued status and ask for stupid prices if the wood is good and the chambering is something other than a .243, .270 or .30-06.

I missed a 7x57 RSI on GB a few weeks ago with great wood that sold for $1450...and I feel that was about where prices are going to hover for a while. I just had my settings wrong and didn't catch the end time was set for a timezone one hour earlier than I was paying attention to.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/880047312



I decided to see what else was out there for RSI's with good figure. Ran across this K model in .308. Bid was already at $1800 when I started following it. Really surprised me when it went for over $3400 by the time the auction finally ended.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/882115868


Keep your eyes open, be diligent and be patient...there are deals to be had. But normal prices have definitely climbed significantly in the last few years.

Indeed. Deals are still to be had. Shop smart and shop a lot. Explore used gun dealers with an internet presence, not just GB and GI.

I bought a 70's vintage Douglas barreled 1A in beautiful condition for $600 less than a year ago. A 6.5x55 1A (Lipsey's) in as-new condition fell into my lap at the same time for a fair bit less than the prices you are seeing on the internet auction sites. Perseverance pays.

I bought my 338win mag for $600 from a guy at work 5yrs ago. Sold the scope that was on it for $150 and put a Leupold on it.
My other no1 was a tropical 458winmag I bought off GB for $500 all so about 5yrs ago. Traded it for a S&W 29-3 then traded it for a Colt Ltw Commander.
Deals are out there it depends a lot on calibers and wood grade.

LOL.....bought my hunter 4 digit w orig rings for just under a K.

The last No 1 I bought was $265 NIB, of course that was the early 1970s. I am amazed at the price increase of No 1s. Probably would still buy one if it was the right caliber in good condition.

Dang, Thanks for the info War Eagle and gnoahhh, a Douglas barreled #1 has to be a good thing, the only fussy #1 I had was the 7 mag, i'll keep a hard eye out, I do expect this to take time for the right one, appreciate the tips.

HeavyLoad, you got a deal, then bought, sold and traded to get set like you want, love when that happens.

Hook, most likely will find and old red pad in 7x57, that's the hope anyway.

LeonHitchcox, do you still have that rifle?

There was a decent 06 A model at one LGS, vyt he wanted 950 no scope or rings.

Thought that high, few dings. Not bad.

Saw the vert rings on the other at a shop and dude shot ne a price and whipped out the money.

Nice grab Hook!

Does anyone know if 1977 year model made #1's had the Douglas barrels?

Hey Gunner - in 1977 they could have a mix of Douglas or Wilson barrels.

Hello Tex, long time no read, glad you stopped in, Thanks for the info Sir, abuddy has a buddy with an RSI in 7x57, he'll be able to shoot me a couple pics in a few days, said it's flawless with rather plain wood, that may be okay though, you and i both have hit the wood lottery plenty of other times.

One good thing about a plain wood stocked #1 is it makes it less painful to use and suffer the scratches!

LOL, agreed War Eagle, Bud said it was a deep rich red color walnut, just kinda plain, that may be fine, just grabbed the old gloss 1-3/4-5 Burris off the safe top and gave it a good dusting, the tube length is plenty long enough for the funky ring/scope tube set up on the #1's, 5 power will be plenty fine for 300 yard hunting with 175gr Hornady round nosed bullets at 2400 fps provided the accuracy is there.

I have a Liberty (1976) #1A in 7x57 (no, it's not for sale ) and the rifling in the barrel is very well formed, but rough as hell. It was obviously not lapped before rifling. It still shoots well, under 1½", but I should really fire lap it, to smooth it up.

I will say, I have never seen a #1A or #1V that I would call inaccurate, though some were better than others.

Thanks Tex, a can of wipeout, 50 sticks of new brass, and a kit of Tubbs 7mm bore slickers may be in order, would be a fun weekend project, that 220 Swift Varnminter I had was a rag holer with 55gr NBT's in calm conditions.

GRRRR - I meant to say, never seen a 1B or 1V that I'd call inaccurate. Can we no longer edit posts?

The Swifts are supposed to often be very accurate. The .22-250 in my avatar greatly benefitted from fire lapping!

24 hour window for edits. After that, its locked in.