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

I think this might well be it. The #1 has a certain elegance if it has good wood. It's something you could buy instead of having to have elegance added later. A expedient answer.

Tom

Don't have any idea what Jack meant.

I do know a lot of hunters are "lazy" about rifles (ie they'd rather hunt that dick with rifles).

If that's the case, it's hard to beat a Tikka T3 Superlite in 270 Win.

Put a Burris 3-9 w/dots on top in Low Talley Lwt's.Hang a Butler Creek Mts Sling on it and zero Federal Blue Box 130's @ 200 yards.

Go forth and slay all NA game.

A quote from God, or an off the cuff comment perhaps?

So, don’t buy the extended warranty and 3M liner?

C'mon man...

^^^^^^^
This

The times I have seen sheep while elk hunting make me think “lazy man’s sheep rifle” is an oxymoron.

I think the Ruger would have gained a tad more speed from extra barrel length well maintaining a carry freindly over all length. Maybe an important consideration before Remington's 1962 7mm marvel. Or not.

Could be the phrase was an expedient to brevity for editorial compliance.

Ruger ‘Merican Compact

First, you have to show me a lazy sheep hunter then we can talk about rifles

I think the others are correct - a simple, obvious solution - like a 30-06.

A lazy man is one who doesn’t walk far or long, hence, you have no need for a lightweight rifle and can bring your heavier Ruger instead.

There's little doubt he was speaking of the lightness (for its day) and handiness due to the shorter action. It wasn't the only time he spoke that way of the Ruger No 1. For example:



(Outdoor Life, Oct 1966)

Probably just meant a guy who wanted to hunt rather than talk about guns.

It’s funny, if you read the internet enough, it seems that sheep hunter was are obsessed with gear and fancy rifles. I suppose those are the once in a lifetime sheep hunters.

Myself and most of the resident sheep hunters I know up here in AK use the same stuff they would on any other hunt, we may have a Kimber or a tikka laying around but other than that, sheep hunting is how we get in shape for the rest of the season.

Sounds to me like he's talking about himself.


Okie John

lazy guys hunting sheep? nope.

Romantically Obsessed

I do not know about a lazy man's sheep rifle, but I used a Model 70 classic FWT in 270 Win with 130gr bullets when I drew my sheep tag.

It worked...

I cannot imagine finally drawing a coveted sheep tag, only to bring along one of the biggest piles of garbage guns ever built.

the hardest part of a sheep hunt is enough cash and drawing a sheep tag , my Ruger #1 257 Weatherby Mag. and my legs will handle the rest.

Wouldn't be a top choice of mine certainly. At least get a Browning B78 - same idea, better execution.

I grew up reading JOC, my first dall hunt in 76' was with a tang ruger. 270win, and leupy 3-9×40. Worked great. I wouldn't hesitate to use the same rifle today. No idea as to what constitutes a lazy man's rifle.

Now that's a very lazy man !!!!

I've killed 4 of my own rams: 3 Montana bighorns and a Canadian Dall. All one shot kills with my Interarms Mauser Mark X .257 Ackley and 117 grain Sierra GameKing bullets. It's more about where you hit them than what you hit them with.

Each of my Montana bighorns cost me a $25 resident tag and a tank of gas.