Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Ruger #1 in 7.62x39, info wanted.

Gentlemen,

The other day I was aimlessly looking at a local shop for used revolvers and I spotted a stainless #1 on the rack. I have been interested in getting one for some time now but didn't really even know what caliber I wanted, I just like the looks of them and being a lefty single shot guns hold an extra appeal. At any rate, I knew that Ruger didnt make a lot of SS #1s so I picked it up to see what caliber it was.
I had to read the making two times before it sunk in.

And as soon as it did my CC leapt out and I bought it. Or, rather as the woman was with me I put it on layaway to spare the the double displeasure of watching me buy a $800 rifle on a whim and of having to sit there while I did the paperwork.

At any rate, I am a huge fan of the x39 caliber and never even dreamed Ruger had chambered the #1 in it. I went home and hunted around but other then finding two old "for sale" adds no other info has come up.

I am mainly looking to see if anyone can tell me what the bore is (.308 or .310 or whatever) and when and what distributor it was made for.

Thanks

These rifles were made for Lipsey's, one of Ruger's biggest distributors. There have been a whole series of these stainles/walnut Lipdey specials.
The 7.62x39 was, I believe the second one in 2006(?) Others have included 35 Whelen, 6.5x55, 257 Roberts, 30-30, 250 Sav. and maybe others I have forgotten.
I have never measured the bore of my #1 7.62x39, but I would guess that Ruger used .308 barrels that they would have on hand for other 30 caliber rifles. The best way to know for sure is to slug it.

For some reason, I thought the 7.62x39 was the 1st of the K1A series by Lipsey's. Seems like the 2nd was the Roberts. Then the Whelen, the 6.5x55 and lastly, the 5th of the series, the .250 Savage- which was about 2+ years late! Don't think the .30/30 was made in the stainless, just blue, or a regular 1A
Production quantity on each of the Exclusives was about 250 rifles. I would expect the bore to be a .308, as I do not believe Ruger would have procured new barrel making tools.

If this thing has a .308 bore I am going to shoot it untill it is a sewer pipe and then be buried with it.

Thanks for the info guys, I haven't been so excited about a gun in I don't know how long. I will get some pictures after I go pick it up. The stock has some figure to it, but nothing super nice. I am so happy to have something so much more classy (but as cheap!) then an AR to plink cans with all afternoon.

At least 20% below market value! Great snag. There was one a few months ago being shopped around under market value, but it had a shortened butt stock. Make sure the one you're buying isn't this rifle.
Regards,
DMc

Listen to Lee. I was working from an ever-worsening memory when I answered, and I haven't really followed the Lipsey specials other than getting the 7.62x39, which I think is the bee's knees.
The 30-30 is indeed just in blue/walnut. But it is also a Lipsey special run (I think!) which is why I mistakenly included it in the list.
Now you need to go out and find all the other Lipsey Exclusives!

I have the same rifle and it is a joy to carry and shoot. Mine is very fond of the Winchester 123gr SP's.

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=WNX76239

I have only hunted with it once and it did it's job nicely on a whitetail doe.

Enjoy yours,

Scott

I wouldn't bet on the bore being .308". Commercial ammo in that caliber is not made with .308" bullets, and firing .311" slugs in a .308" groove barrel would escalate pressure. Slug it to know for sure.

Check this out...

http://www.lipseysguns.com/post/Ruger-Number-1A-Stainless-Light-Sporter-762X39mm.aspx


Scott

Nice find J Scott! I've wondered before what the bore diameter on one of these was.
Thx,
DMc

Awesome, thanks for finding that.

I am slightly bummed at it being a .311 bore as I was interested in cooking up some heavy cast bullet subsonic loads and this will make finding bullets more difficult.

Have any of you guys who own one ever cast the chamber?

The original .303Brit load was a 215 grain lead RNFP, and .311-.312".

Hint.

Try H4227, and the 174 grain HPBT Match designed for the .303Brit as well.

My 7.62x39 799 is .311". It shoots the Win 123gr. sp. loads very well. The Speer "Plinker", bullets perform very well as well, and they are cheap.

I have a recipe for the Hornady 100 gr. XTP around here somewhere. Haven't got around to trying it.