Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Ruger #1 in 7.62x39

I was at the LGS helping my wife pick out my valentine's present...was looking for a 270 but came home with another colt 1911....Anyways, they had two nib #1's a 7.62x39 and a 7mm mag.

I've always liked the looks of the #1's but have never owned one. Any thoughts on the 7.62x39 or the 7mm mag one? I have rifles to cover everything I need, but like to dabble.

-John

#1s are handsome rifles. Have owned 3 and they all required substantial work to find success. A #3 likewise. Nothing wrong with the 7 mag, but the 7.62x39 is a joke. Many better alternatives available.

A friend and I snapped up No.1A rifles in 7.62x39 when on sale a couple years ago. He has shot his and says it may be the most fun to shoot No.1 he owns. The x39 proved very capable as a deer round when I had an SKS years ago and was interesting to handload for.
Odd matchup with the Ruger No.1 but why not!? I doubt I would shoot anything but good brass and game bullets in mine, avoiding most military ammo.

I’ve owned four. All required substantial work aka $$$, and success ( accuracy) was not found.

I have taken my (4) Ruger #1 rifles to the range and been pleased; 223, #1V 223, 270, and 7mmRM.

The 270 has not killed anything yet. But the other 3 have killed a boat load.

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I have (6) SKS, (1) AK, and (1) 1903 Turkish Mauser I converted to 7.62x39mm [single shot].
One of the SKS rifles went to the range. The rest of them I have never shot.
I do not consider that cartridge adequate for deer, where I hunt over sage brush.

I hear folks saying their No 1s weren't accurate, but that hasn't been my experience. I currently have three, a B in 22 Hornet, an A in 30-06, and a 45-70. My first No 1 was a B in 7 Rem Mag. All have been capable of three shot groups with all bullets touching at 100 yards with loads they liked. Random handloads and even the cheapest factory ammo seldom do more than an 1 1/2" to 1 3/4".

I see no reason at all for that chambering except to stir up the “Gotta have ‘em all” crowd. A .30/30, also available here and there, is far more useful and compelling, and I say that as a grandpa whose grandson has killed three bucks in three seasons with the little Russky.

I would try it in 7.62. If it didn't I would mess it up and rebore to 9X39 fast twist. Then thread and load some heavy cast .358 bullets. But I am a medium bore whore. Be Well, RZ.

I too am in the camp of #1 owners whose rifles all deliver(ed) good accuracy. One of the current ones, a .250-3000 that started life as a .270 40 years ago, took a little coaxing (set screw in the hanger) to get from 1.25 MOA down to a consistent .75 MOA. Truth be told it was deer-whacking accurate enough but, well, you know how it is. A 6.5x55 1A I'm shooting is a good 1/2-incher with nothing having been done to it, but then again I load for it using Wilson straight line dies, Lapua brass, and Bergers and Scenars. It by damn better shoot!

As for the Russkie caliber, meh. It may be the best thing since girls' thongs for some folks but it's origins leave me feeling like I can find better cartridges to spend my Yankee greenbacks on.

For the money they cost, I cant get excited over a #1 in 7.62x39 . Kinda like finding a 63 vett, and putting a vw engine in it.

DD: youre just biased bc ppl have fired 7.62x39s at you. i would be too ...

I like the x39, but somehow my mind puts it in a Handi-Rifle, not a Ruger No. 1.

Agree ..... The #1 is a classic rifle whereas the 7.62x39 not so much a fitting classic chambering.

OTOH, I wouldn't have an SKS re-done in 30-30.

I’d rechamber to .303 Redgwell (aka British) or the full-sized Russky.

Not so much 'cause they shot at me, but because they never did much more than give me a scratch. Here's one that went thru a thin layer of fiberglass and a couple layers of aluminum sheet before bouncing off my boot heel...AP core on the right. Range from gunner to boot heel was about 30 yards. I doubt the Quigley bullet on the left would have bounced off.

I would prefer more 30/30’s, 300 H&H or even 38/55.

A # 1 in 7.62x39 is a waste of a perfectly good rifle.

10X

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i like collecting Ruger # 1`s ,i do hunt with a couple of Ruger # 1`s too both shoot very well. and if i get a chance someday a would enjoy buying a Ruger # 1 in a 7.62 x 39 too !