Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Lazy Man’s Sheep Rifle

On page 275 of Jack O’Connor’s excellent book “Sheep and Sheep Hunting” he writes the following “A 7.5 or 8-pound scope-equipped No.1 (referring to the Ruger 1) in 7x57... would be an excellent lazy man’s sheep rifle.”
Now I’m not exactly a ball of fire and most other sheep hunters I know are not either; but “Lazy Man”?
Any idea what he meant by that comment? I have tried to figure that out for years but I don’t seem to be astute enough to get it. How about you?

I think it was a phrase used at the time to mean an economical or quick solution.

Lightweight too.

Not Over-Thinking It, or Over-Doing It

yep multiple options, calibers can't substitute great really good physical conditioning though

A guy who marries a pregnant woman.

Yep, let’s not over think this we ain’t dealing in rocket science right here.

Ruger no1 economical? Never heard that combination before.

Know what you mean, however Jack's using rifles were custom beauties so by comparison...

I'd say he'd had to much to drink when he said that. The only number 1A in 7x57 I've owned only shot 154 and 175 gr round noses worth a damn because of how Ruger put a really long throat in them. A 1 b isn't all that light. Mb

I have my copy of the Sheep and Sheep Hunting loaned out at the moment but I would like to see the context that quote was used in. But IMO I believe he was referring to the weight of the rifle, if you have read much O'Conner it is mentioned at various times that he liked a 7-1/2 to 8 lb rifle which was considered a lightweight at that time.

drover

Pretty sure he was thinking of loads with 139 or 140s for max pbr .
Wasn’t there a 7x57 chambering in a model with light shorter 22” barrel ?

Unfortunate, but historical all the various throatings out there in this caliber.

Interesting, I have the book and tried the #1 for sheep hunting and I sold it. I hunt horseback, it rides in a scabbard pretty well, you do need extra time to fumble a round into the chamber, this annoyed me a little.
What really ticked me off - a small set screw holding a tiny spring fell out in my travels and with the spring gone the action wouldn't lock up. It was relegated to a jack handle or a tent pole on that hunt. Who would of thunk it? Well, I think without a rifle a hunter might be lazy and stay in camp

Maybe he meant a rifle that you wouldn't have to take to Al Biesen for a makeover first... Then again, I doubt it was much better than a Model 70 Featherweight was from the factory.

If I were to do a sheep hunt, yeah like I could ever afford to do one and if I were to use the 7x57 cartridge I would not choose the Ruger #1. I have a #1A in 7x57 that shoots just about any bullet decently enough but so does my push feed Winchester M70 Featherweight, also a 7x57 and it's definitely a lighter weight rifle. Probably the only time I would disagree with Jack on anything related to rifles for hunting.
Paul B.

I agree, I disagree with Jack on this...I don't believe he tried the #1....yeah, Jack was the best

A lazy mans solution is a good solution brought about with the lest amount of effort. One of my favorite No1's is a 1A in 280. Close to Jacks description.

Thanks guys, some interesting thoughts.
I actually do hunt with a Ruger 1, 270 Winchester and took my Desert Bighorn with it.
It really isn’t a lightweight by today’s standards weighting in at 8 pounds 3 ounces with it’s 24” Krieger barrel but it shoots under an inch just about any bullet.
I especially like the handiness of it’s short overall length and find the slightly muzzle heavy balance comfortable to carry.
I talked to Jack a few times over the phone but never questioned him about the Lazy Man comment. As a professional writer he chose his words deliberately and what was meant is anyone’s guess😀

I see that Ruger lists the Lipsey 1A ? In 6.5 CM with 24” bbl at 6.8 lbs.

I’m thinking that would be the modern day “Lazy Man’s” choice.
Consistent chambering, Easy ammo selection, etc. Reasonable weight

Jack’s notion Of a sheep or mountain rifle, would probably fit in with MuleDeers notion of a light Plains Rifle

Jack was a writer, Eleanor was the hunter. Talk about lazy man..

g