Ruger No. 1?

[TAArrowood]

Hey guys, I have an opportunity to buy a very early Ruger no. 1 in 308win. This rifle is in unbelievably good condition for its age. It has a gorgeous, fancy walnut stock. I would rate its condition at about 95% original condition. I’m pretty sure it is the light sporter model with a 22” barrel. I don’t have any photos of it yet, but I have seen/held it. It feels great. I’ve owned dozens of rifles, but never a no 1. I e heard they can be temperamental, but I thought I’d post here and see if any actual past/present owners would weigh II and share any pros/cons of the no 1. I can get it at what I think would be a decent price. If anyone would give any thoughts as to the value of a rifle like this. Obviously, without photos, etc this would be difficult and I’m just looking for a range that I can consider. Thanks a ton and all the best to everyone.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I've got a stainless laminate 7 STW No 1, consistent sub MOA shooter. Values are all over the place but most fall into $1200ish.

 

[Nine Banger]

I have a few. I use them for positional shooting. Just for fun. I have a couple light sporters and a 450 marlin.

The factory sights stink. The light sporter (model 1a) come with a rudimentary dovetail sight and a gold bead on a post for a front sight. I install a Skinner sight rear aperture sight and a blade front from New England Custom Guns.

I have no interest in a scope for this type of rifle.

I can hit steel at 200 yards standing most of the time with the upgraded sights...300 yards is too far. The blade covers the entire target at that distance.

They go for $1200-1475 in "like new" condition.

If you follow them on gunbroker it seems like a lot of guys are buying them and stuffing them in a closet and not shooting them.

 

[rbaney]

Prices on guns can be somewhat hard to nail down, as they can change depending on location and type of stock. Does it have a laminate or standard wood stock, does it come with Scope or just mounts or not? Knowing all of this helps but my estimate for my area is gonna be around 1200-1800 gun with just rings or bases. As for anything else I have never owned one just been to a few auctions where these have been sold.

 

[6mm Remington]

I have two Ruger 1B's in 6mm Remington and 30-06. Both were easy to find loads for and both shoot very well. I love carrying them and shooting both of these rifles. I have never felt at a disadvatage hunting with them either for elk, deer, antelope, coyotes, and black bears.
Here's my 6mm Remington. You can see on the far right two groups that these are two different powders and loads and it shot both exceptionally well.

My 30-06 with a 165 gr. Accubond at 100 yards.

 

[TaperPin]

I love #1 rifles, and kind of hate them at the same time. The best classic rifle ever made in the US, I just wish more of them shot well. I can only speak to those made in the 1980s, but the two of mine and one of a close friend all suffered the same problem - mediocre accuracy. At that time 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 MOA wasn’t uncommon with many rifles and the #1 was no exception. We tried combinations of pressure points on the forend and under the hanger, freefloated, tried resting different portions of the forend on the rest, thousands of rounds with half dozen different powders, as many factory loads and boxes of bullets that were available. Over a four year period those rifles were quite consistent and at some point it has to be attributed to barrel quality. These were the days of multiple barrel makers supplying Ruger with barrels, for better or worse, so the m77 rifles often suffered from the same mediocre accuracy.

To me a MOA #1 would be worth much more than the going rate for an average one. I’ve never had a custom barrel installed, or been directly involved with a custom one, but over the years a few pop up at the range and it might just be bad luck, but none of them have been impressive, so I’ve drifted away from the #1. My friend kept his 25-06 since it was a gift from his wife, but it stays home for the most part because without trying his 7 mag bolt gun is so much more accurate.

I don’t want to sound negative - I love the design and how it’s put together. Whoever is selling it knows if it’s an accurate one or not.

 

[TAArrowood]

Just learned a little more about the Ruger no. 1 I'm looking at.. It is serial number 1003.. HeeHaw.. Looks like it might be a first year production rifle for the no. 1..

 

[Pharmseller]

I hunted with one back when I thought I needed a magnum cartridge.



Very elegant rifle.





P

 

[TAArrowood]

Thanks for the feedback/photo... The thing that has always impressed me about the no. 1 rifles is that Ruger seemed to save their best wood for the no. 1s.. This one has an exceptional piece of walnut for a production rifle, but back then good wood was a lot more plentiful than it is now..

 

[left hunter]

I own a couple Ruger #1’s and quite a few other random single shots. It’s kind of an addiction I guess. For me they are just a different purchase, meaning if for some reason the rifle draws you to it buy it. Will it be as accurate as most bolt actions? Probably not, but there are so many things about a single shot that make it a less effective tool over all I’m not sure extreme accuracy matters.

It just feels different for me when I’m hunting with a nice single shot, enough so that it’s worth the drawbacks that come with it. It’s not for everyone and definitely only a decision you can make!

They seem to be a good investment overtime so if you don’t like it and hold onto it long enough you are almost guaranteed to make your money back and then some

 

[112Savage]

I have a No. 1 built in 1988 or somewhere around there. It’s a model 1S which has the slightly heavier barrel than the 1A but retains the Alexander Henry forend. I have three complaints.
It’s a 300WM but the felt recoil is much more than my tikka 300WSM.
The safety occasionally catches the brass and knocks it back into the breeches.
It would seriously be devalued by threading it and moving the sight for use with a suppressor.

The wood is beautiful. It balances amazingly. It shoots okay for a 0-350yd rifle.

 

[TAArrowood]

In doing more research I’ve found that the actual first shipped serial number for a no 1 was 935 so this rifle at 1003 is a very low serial number and was made in 1967 ( first year). The comment above describes exactly how it happened that I found this rifle or it found me. I spotted it across the room I a rack of used rifles and my eye was immediately drawn to it. Once I picked it up it felt like a pair of well worn/fitted gloves. Your’re right, it may be a one holed or a 3” gun, but the look and feel overcome its shortcomings if they exist. I just bought a first year Marlin 336sc and really thinking this first year no would look great sitting beside it and my first year model 70s. The more I hear your comments and love/respect for the no 1 the more I want it.

 

[Fatcamp]

Buy it tomorrow morning.