Allure of the Ruger No1

[Nevada Mike]

OK, I’d like to hear how folks have solved the scope positioning challenge presented by No1’s. Most No1’s I have handled require the shooter to crawl the stock to get a proper sight picture.

The best solution I have found is the Swarovski Z6 1-6x24 EE. The straight tube and long eye relief allow for perfect alignment. This is the scope I have mounted on my .275.

The Leupold VX3 lineup also have good eye relief, albeit not as good as the Z6 EE, and a definite step down in quality.

WAB

Since my rifle was being built to my specs with custom scope blocks we moved the fron scope mount back a bit (1/2"). Still the S&B 2.5 - 10 X 40 would not quite work. Ended up with a Leupold VXIII 3.5-10X40, which works fine. It is a challenge.

 

[Rafiki]

OK, I’d like to hear how folks have solved the scope positioning challenge presented by No1’s. Most No1’s I have handled require the shooter to crawl the stock to get a proper sight picture

AimPoint Hunter 30L, or better yet forget the scope.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

In 45 days, I’ll tote mine to SA to hunt with Kwalata Safaris in their Waterberg area!

View attachment 529040

Their Waterberg area looks absolutely amazing!!

 

[Doug3006]

Their Waterberg area looks absolutely amazing!!

I agree and am counting the days!

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I agree and am counting the days!

Enjoy! Can’t wait for the report!

 

[yamoon]

#1v a gift from my wife in 82. This is a photo of a photo of a much younger me north of Buffalo Wyoming in 84. I haven’t used it in years, I hunt Kansas whitetails with an Orberndorf Mauser 8x57.
Mike

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Sure! I bought it last year. I was looking for a NIB Number 1 in 300 H&H. Amazingly, I found one. I bought a semi-inlet stock set and did the finishing myself. I’m really happy with how well it turned out. I finished it off with a New England Custom Gun recoil pad in red (of course.) It shoots 180 grain Barnes Tipped Triple Shocks into 1 inch groups or less. I’m as pleased with this gun as any in the safe. Hopefully, that dog will hunt. I’ll know soon.

It is beautiful Doug, and of course it will do you proud in Africa.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The way I have solved the No1 scope problem is listen to the experts here on AH, being @WAB snd @rookhawk in this case. They directed me to the Searovski 1-6x25 EE and the search began. Answer to prayers literally a day later and @Dirtdart advertised one and I snapped it up. So when my new No1 arrives the scope should be waiting for it.
Going forward I reckon if enough of us petition Swarovski they may just bring the EE back into production.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I wasn't familiar with the No. 1's until a group of gentlemen friends (all my father's age or a little more, but still cherished friends) went elk hunting. And to a man, they carried No.1's. When I heard the stories, I started looking. One of them will swear he can run the action on his 1 as fast or faster than a bolt gun. And I believe him.

I currently have a No. 1 in .30-06 I bought specifically to take to Africa for plains game. And I've seriously considered getting a DG caliber No.1.

Does anyone have the Craig Boddington 5-gun African Series of No. 1's? Saw a couple full sets for sale. Would be amazing to have.

Hi PeteyJ, did you ever hunt Africa with your No1 30-06? Any pictures?

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Please refresh my memory, was the largest No1 the factory made the 458 Lott?

 

[Joker12]

The Lott and the few 450NE are the largest that I'm aware of that were factory built.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I just recently acquired my first Ruger No.1, in .30-06.
She’s actually a Ruger No. 1S, with the Alexander Henry forend. She has the Ruger rings, but a lackluster 2-7x32 Vortex scope in them. I’m definitely getting a new scope for it.


HawkView attachment 429119
View attachment 429120

Hi Hawk, did you ever fit that new scope? What did you get?

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Lookie here:

HOLLAND & HOLLAND - RUGER #1 ACTION SINGLE SHOT SPORTING RIFLE 500-465 — Steve Barnett Fine Guns | High-End Shotguns, Rifles, Pistols, and Revolvers For Sale

SBFG 19026 AT THE TIME THIS WAS BUILT IT WAS THE ONLY RIFLE HOLLAND HAD BUILT ON THIS ACTION 26" BARREL WITH 1/4 RIB 1 STANDING 1 FOLDING FLIP UP NITE SIGHT ENGRAVED STEEL TRAP DOOR GRIP CAP NEAR NEW CONDITION MAKERS CASE 7LBS 15 OZ 14 1/4 LOP

stevebarnettfineguns.com

I had no idea H&H used a Ruger No 1 action. Probably a one-off but sure looks nice.

Does anyone know if Holland and Holland made any more No 1's, but in other calibres please?

 

[WAB]

Does anyone know if Holland and Holland made any more No 1's, but in other calibres please?

Oh this is a dangerous bunny trail you are embarking upon Kevin!

 

[ET1775]

Does anyone know if Holland and Holland made any more No 1's, but in other calibres please?

I am afraid to find out. I have drooled over those photos several times in recent months.

 

[Nevada Mike]

Kev

Better than a H&H would be a custom rifle by a top builder. IMO, at least. You'll get everything you want and nothing you don't for a better price.

I have found that scopes with good (long) eye relief work best on Ruger No. 1's. I couldn't make a number of scopes work on mine and ended up with a Leupold 3.5 - 10X 36. It's a light 25-'06 and a bigger scope (S&B 2-10X Summit) just wasn't working. I'm shooting 0.5" groups with a Brux 25" barrel. Rifle weighs about 7-1/2 lbs.

 

[WAB]

Kev

Better than a H&H would be a custom rifle by a top builder. IMO, at least. You'll get everything you want and nothing you don't for a better price.

I have found that scopes with good (long) eye relief work best on Ruger No. 1's. I couldn't make a number of scopes work on mine and ended up with a Leupold 3.5 - 10X 36. It's a light 25-'06 and a bigger scope (S&B 2-10X Summit) just wasn't working. I'm shooting 0.5" groups with a Brux 25" barrel. Rifle weighs about 7-1/2 lbs.

You make a great point, @RedLeg occasionally posts pictures of the most beautiful single shot I have ever seen. I doubt that a No1 could be dolled up enough to match it.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Kev

Better than a H&H would be a custom rifle by a top builder. IMO, at least. You'll get everything you want and nothing you don't for a better price.

I have found that scopes with good (long) eye relief work best on Ruger No. 1's. I couldn't make a number of scopes work on mine and ended up with a Leupold 3.5 - 10X 36. It's a light 25-'06 and a bigger scope (S&B 2-10X Summit) just wasn't working. I'm shooting 0.5" groups with a Brux 25" barrel. Rifle weighs about 7-1/2 lbs.

Ah Mike, but once you have seen the Melania of rifles and know it exists, you are hooked.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I am afraid to find out. I have drooled over those photos several times in recent months.

I am going to ask H&H!

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

In 45 days, I’ll tote mine to SA to hunt with Kwalata Safaris in their Waterberg area!

View attachment 529040

I had the privilege of handling this very rifle yesterday, it is truly beautiful.