Thanks in part to Jim In Idaho (damn enabler!) and his Ruger 77 from RJ Renner I finally went ahead and sent my No.1 in. Took about 4 weeks and I picked it up Saturday. Got the Skinner and the NECG partridge mounted so now I just got to sight her in.

Aesthetically, it's beautiful (imho). I know the Henry fore end has some history but this is how Ruger should have made the No.1. Very sleek and befitting a nice single shot. The Skinner complements it perfectly.

Function wise, I did some preliminary measurements before I sent it in and when it came back. Most of the removal was from the fore end with the rest focusing on the top of the comb. Roger lowered it and thinned it out and moved the 'nose' back a bit. For not removing much, it sure made a difference in feel. From my measurements I don't think he touched the wrist/grip area but perhaps due to the work on the comb it feels a little thinner and more open--more comfortable to me. The rifle comes up perfectly in line with the open sights, now. In fact, I think I had been getting in the habit of squishing my face down because now I just bring it up gently and it's there! Feels like a nice little 20 gauge.

Roger does excellent work with great communication and fast service. Can't recommend him enough. In fact, I'll be saving some moolah and hope to find an African in 9.3 in the future to send to him for the Teutonic treatment. I thought the price was fair considering the work involved and the fact a good fiberglass stock will set you back damn near $600. Can't recall if the wood stood a little 'proud' of the receiver on this one (a Farqhuarson nod, is it not?) but if so, he pbeveled it down flush. The re-checkering is deep, clean and precise. Again, top notch work all around.

Oh, and like Jim, I put a (small) scratch in it trying to balance it on that fence post--the only one around. This, even after thinking of Jim's mishap the entire time. Damn it! Oh well, character marks, right? It is gonna be a hunting rifle, after all.

Tried the Camofire hosting thing....no good. First try with Imgur failed...here we go again.

Very nice!

Jeff

Oh heck yeah!

That is gorgeous! Your Ruger has very nice wood to start with but Roger's treatment definitely brings out the best in it, and he sure knows how to remove just the right amount of wood to bring out the best in handling. Did he shorten the forend much or just thin it and reshape it? I like that Skinner on the #1, it blends in really well with the lines of the rife.

Sorry to hear about that scratch. Roger said he'd remove mine at no charge and might do the same for you but like you say, it's a character mark. At least that's what I keep telling myself, too.

As you are noting, his work is habit forming. I'm expecting word to send in my second project to him any day now, and already have a third one in mind.




On the enabling part, now that your rifle is back I should be getting my commission check from Roger shortly.

Mojo,

I have to agree with all you've said about the rifle and Roger and his work. I had a 77 done first and the change is remarkable. I sent him my 450/400 No.1 and the change in that rifle was also amazing. Yes, I think this is what Ruger should have had originally. Don't get me wrong, I bought my first No. 1 in 1971 and thought it was great, still think they are wonderful rifles, but the attention to detail is definitely not like it was in the early 70's. I'd put in a photo, but it says it's too big and I am not literate enough to make it smaller. Sorry! Terry

I'd sure like to see some pictures of that 450-400!

BigSky,

I have tried and tried to change image size and have followed directions for the new image gallery, multiple times, all to no avail. I import, click on done and nothing shows up in the gallery. I'm sure I could email them - if that's allowed. Sorry, Terry

I really need to put those sights on my 45/70

Terry,

Saw your pics on Ruger Forum and 'stole' them to post here. Your rifle is too nice not to be drooled over!

mighty fine!

ya!

GWB

MojoHand,

Thanks! And as I mentioned over there, it's a great shooter! Taking it to Alaska in a week and a half for my annual moose hunt. When I get back I want to work up some cast loads for the lighter stuff. Thanks, again. Terry

I never had a No.1 in 9.3x62, but I did have one in 9.3x74 (1S) and I personally thought that was the best balanced rifle I ever owned. VERY quick to mount and get on game. As accurate as this rifle. Yeah, I stupidly sold it for something I must have felt I had to have instead. Terry

That's a peach Terry!

I sold both a 450-400 and a 9.3x74R...I replaced the 450-400, but I'm gonna have to find another 9.3.

That 450-400 was way more accurate than it had a right to be, and the 9.3 had knock out wood!

That is a beautiful rifle, and, yes, RJ does great work.

Can you tell me where you got the canvas sling?

Likely here.

http://traderkeith.com/products.html

EdM,

You are correct ,sir! Cartridge holder also came from Trader Keith. Terry

MoFo, mighty nice Man !!

Beautiful rifle. Really like the addition of the Skinner rear. How is it working out so far? I have been contemplating adding one to a #1 RSI and using as a close quarters woods rifle.

Again, great looking rig.

I can't speak for MojoHand (and really don't want to steal his thread), but I went to the range the other day and zeroed mine at 100 yards just using a standard paper plate on a black background. The plate showed up just well enough around the front bead to make it pretty easy to get right on. 3 shots went into 0.61" using a 400 grain bullet that chrono'ed at 2124 fps. I should also mention to actually get it right on at 100 I had to put in a NECG front bead on that was 0.03" shorter than the original sight. The Skinner minimum change at 100 yds (1/2 turn of the aperture) was just about 6" with my load. With the stock front sight impact was 4 1/2" too high or 1 1/2" too low if I turned the sight down, therefore the change with the front brought it right in. And, all this shooting was from a bench. I shot with the standard aperture that was sent with the sight. However, I plan to take it to Alaska next week and I'll hunt with the aperture removed.

I initially tried a NECG rear sight that went onto the rear scope groove, but didn't care for the "wings" on that sight blocking some of my overall image. With that being said, if you plan on taking a scope thinking you might want to use it, the fact that the NECG rear sight would just unscrew and you could screw on your scope, I think, makes it a better option because the Skinner requires you to screw it in thru the sight rib and you have to exchange the slotted screws for the Skinner back to the original hex screws. Hope this helps. Terry

Nice looking rifle to be sure