I am in the process of evaluating (from an estate) a Rifle that I have wanted for 55+ years now, and have finally found one!
The Rifle is a mint, as new, in the original brown two piece box, Ruger #1-B in 222 Remington!
I believe the low four digit serial number puts it at 1968 manufacture.
The box has the correct low four digit serial number on it and has all the original paper work and rings with it. If I recall correctly the rings originally came in a red or gray tie bag but that bag is missing.
The wood on this very early Ruger #1-B is very nicely figured and again the wood and the metal is flawless.
It is tough to come up with a "comparable" on this Rifle as the original production four digit Rifles seldom come up for sale and even less often in the very rare 222 Remington offering.
The Rifle probably has been shot but shows NO sign of that - the original owner again has now passed on. The label on the box shows it was shipped to the now deceased owner for $2.60 from Gopher Shooter Supply to Montana.
Anyway if anyone can shed light on this Rifles evaluation I would appreciate it - as I can find no reference to sales of an early four digit Ruger #1-B in 222 Remington.
Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

$1300.00 - $1500.00 would be fare for you

http://www.classicsportingarms.com/ruger-no-1-rarity-tables/

55 years is a long time

Hookeye: Thank you so much for that "rarity table" I understand some of it and have concluded that 675 Ruger #1-B's in 222 Remington were made!
I am making a hard copy and a file copy of that table for my uses.
Thanks again.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Pete53: Thank you very much for your input. I do not think I will be able to get this Rifle for $1,300.00!
Wish I could.
More later
Thanks again.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Ctw: Indeed 55 years is a LONG time.
My first Ruger #1-B was an outstandingly stocked Rifle in 6m/m Remington caliber that I bought new. It had serial number 1,300!
Boy I wish I had that one back.
A left handed "friend" of mine fell in love with that Rifle and pestered me for the next 10 years to buy it, until I finally gave in.
He promised to sell it back to me if he ever decided to move it - turns out he sold it without notifying me - lesson learned.
Long live the Ruger #1.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

There is a 1968 AB .222 at the Boise Cabela’s right now. Unless in the back no mention of the a box or rings.
The tag is priced just under $2100. I would like to have it but and a big but. The stock has a crack through the wrist. One of the sales men told me that it can be repaired. Yes no chit but then the original finish is gone. There is also pretty good dent in the forend also.
I too would like a 222 no 1 , they made a run in 2013!if IIRC a 1A and I would be ok with that.
Good luck on getting the 222.
PS
They also have a 6mm and a 22-250 both B models a 1970 and 1971 model as I recall the asking is about $1900, both prefix guns.

Pops had a 4 digit .30-06 was near mint.
I had a 4 digit .280 that had been hunted.
Both had too nice of wood for me to use LOL

338Reddog: Thank you very much for those examples/information!
I hate to confess this on the "Single Shot" forum but I have never warmed to or owned a Ruger #1-A in any caliber.
That would be a fun gun to shoot (the Ruger #1-A in 222 Remington) but I just much prefer the looks and longer barrels of the #1-B's.
Thanks again for relaying those asking prices of those 1970's vintage #1's.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Hookeye: Oooohhh - that 280 Remington would be a nice one to own/Hunt with.
When I used my 6m/m Remington #1-B (the one with the 1,300 serial number) for Rock Chuck Hunting and Coyote calling I was EXTREMELY careful with it because of the extraordinarily beautiful wood it had.
Is your fathers 30/06 #1-B still in the family?
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I lost an auction about three months ago for a 1968 No. 1-B in 6mm Rem that had beautifully figured wood and appeared unfired and in mint condition. I bid well more than I should have, but still lost by a margin well north of $1000. The rifle ended up going for $3,650(!) as I recall.

I'm not sure this is very relevant to value of the 222 you're interested in, because I think emotions can get the better of people when bidding in auctions.

I would say though if you really want it, find a way to buy it. Things likes these don't come around often and the money is becoming worth less and less all the time.

If it has been a long time want rifle go ahead and offer what you can afford. You may never get another chance again.

GreggH

No problem. My first #1 was a 257 Roberts B model. I still have it and like it. There have been more that have came few have gone. I like them all, but must admit the sights and AH forends kind of do it for me. I have a 06 in a 1 S and it seems to balance very well. I haven’t shot it yet though. I just got on a list for a AH.
Good luck on the 222. Would love to have one myself and either the B or A would be a welcome addition.

IIRC 1968 production should have a Douglas barrel.

AKislander: WOW!
Was that auction based in Alaska or was it online or something else?
I don't know if location would have much to do with values but it seems that here in my remote corner of the world (SW Montana) guns sell cheaper hereabouts than when I travel to distant gunshows/gunshops/estate sales.
Again, wowsers on that old timey Ruger #1-B's sales price!
I finally fingered out how to use that very informative link that "Hookeye" above relayed to me and according to his "rarity ranking" your described 6m/m #1-B scored one point BEHIND my 222 Remington #1-B and yet both score in the highest rarity level of the earliest Ruger #1's.
Thanks for that sobering input.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

GreggH: It IS a VERY long story but the minty little Ruger #1-B in 222 Remington is now in my possession!
A long time dream Rifle for me, has come to be reality.
Along with the as new Rifle, in the box, with all paperwork (no red? ring bag though) came a 1967 Ruger catalog!
This poster sized, factory folded, two sided, heavy paper catalog shows EVERY Ruger offering in 1967 (both pistols and Rifles!) and their specifications, options and the like.
Every gun has the factory suggested retail price listed as well.
Unbeknownst to me the Ruger company would "engrave" the Ruger #1's (both sides of the action) for an additional $125.00!
I do not recall every seeing a factory engraved Ruger #1?
Maybe I was just not aware/paying attention?
Anyway my Ruger #1-B in 222 Remington sold (factory suggested retail) for $265.00 back then.
I know when I bought my Ruger #1-B in 6m/m Remington new (serial number 1,300) I paid $285.00 for it - this included the sales tax in taxington at that time.
If anyone has any "specification" questions on Ruger offerings back in 1967 just give me a shout - this folded poster sized catalog is just beautiful!
Long live Sturm Ruger and company.
I was surprised to see on this catalog the semi-auto Ruger "Carbine" was offered in 44 Remington Magnum back then (in 1967) - I thought they came along much later.
Learn something every day.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Aagaardsporter: Thanks for that - I have heard of that - I wonder when the Ruger folks went to making their own barrels for the #1's (if they ever did?)?
I do know my first year production #1-B in 6m/m Remington shot quite well for me.
As I recall I scoped my 6m/m with a Leupold Westerner (straight 8 power) first and later switched a time or two finally settling on a then newish Leupold straight 12 power scope.
Thanks again.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Congratulations Varmint guy. If you ever decide to get rid of that one remember me, lol. Did you get the vertical split rings? If I missed that in your above remarks, I apologize.
I sure wish the one I mentioned above (AH 222 ) didnt have the cracked stock at such a high price. They also have a 6mm and 22-250( 1970,1971)

I sold a 4 digit 1B in 6mm Remington in 99% condition 7 or 8 years ago for $1795 on GB. Saw the one go off for $3650 on GB last month

338Reddog: Father time is ticking for me and I simply HAVE to get started selling my collection.
You are noted.
The rings are horizontally split and 4 screws per ring.



Bill N: Those are strong amounts!
Money carefully invested in Ruger #1's is money well spent in my experience.
Plus they are fun to shoot/Hunt with and look great while doing so.


All: My local gun shop has gotten in a stainless laminated stock Ruger #1 (I forget which model designation that is) and has an "asking" price of $1,800.00 on it - I did not get it down off the wall rack behind the counter but will do so if anyone is interested. If my eyes did not deceive me its in caliber 405 Winchester. I am not sure at all if this is a good price for this Rifle or not.
If anyone has any questions get back at me or call the shop at 1-406-683-9844 (no sales tax in Montana).
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Varmint Guy,
If you will look around on the Classic Sporting Arms website, you will find the whole story on the engraved No.1's. None were ever done, except for the few presented to Gun Writers, Governors and a few other dignitaries.
Good on getting the 4 digit .222.
ENU

I got a used but dang near mint 2017 "50th anniv" .308 last yr.
Cost me $1800.
A bit high IMHO, but wanted a 1A in .308 and there one was.
Yup, I hunt it, got a couple small dings in it last yr. Don't care.

Just got a black pad B in .22 Hornet (reamed to K) for $850 (no rings).
Its got a speed hammer in it, and very nice trigger.

Actually bought it to be rebarreled.
Talked to Penrod Precision yesterday.
Mark is a gentleman and artist.

I'll poke a few chucks with it this spring/ early summer and then send it to him.
It'll get a B profile stainless bbl. In .243 win.

Are you going to keep the 22 Hornet barrel?
I have a 300win that I have been considering rebarreling to a hornet. I have a extractor already

@Hookeye - that 4-digit .280 sounds to have the making of one of my dream guns! I do have a 4-digit in 30/06, and it does get used...

El Numero Uno: I have been busy admiring (trying to find any flaws in!) this early #1-B in 222 Remington, for days now, and realizing how lucky I was to find it.
Thanks for the heads up on that "Classic Rifles" site - I am headed there now.

All: Speaking of Rugers in caliber 280 Remington - I just revisited the sport shop handling this estate and purchased an unfired new in the box Ruger 77 - Varmint in caliber 280 Remington.
The serial number indicates 1978 manufacture and the very large 1978 fold up double sided Ruger catalog that came with the Rifle shows all the firearms offerings from Ruger along with the specifications and suggested retail prices then (1978).
A wealth of information in this huge poster sized catalog as well.
The rings that came with this Ruger Model 77 - Varmint are individually wrapped in tissue paper and came in a gray felt like drawstring bag.
In the distant past I bought new a Ruger 77 - Varmint in caliber 7m/m Express (280 Remington) and that was a DANDY Antelope and long range Deer Hunting rig.
Foolishly I let that one get away.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

My Father inlaw has a 77 280 varmint barrel. I doubt he has shot it 20 years. He used to say that it was a popular rifle with elk hunters for longer range shooting.

338reddog: I have killed one Bull Elk with a 280 Remington Rifle (my custom pre-64 Winchester Model 70) and it was a two shot kill at 400 yards. I am not sure the second shot was necessary.
But I would consider that to be the "limit" for me, for shots on Elk and that cartridge. I was actually Hunting Mule Deer in the Ruby River country of Montana when that opportunity on the Bull Elk came along.
Most Elk Hunters I have been around prefer the 300 Magnums for Elk Hunting in Montanas open country ("longer range"). In full disclosure I use a 7m/m Remington Magnum and perky 160 grain Nosler partitions for most of my Elk Hunting.
Again the 280 Remington is a superb cartridge (in my experiences) for longer ranges on medium size big game.
My suggestion is, that you cozy on up to your father in law and try to get that 280 Model 77 coming your way.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

He has two sons and not
many guns. Im sure they will get them and thats the way I would want it.
Well maybe my wife will want one.