Ruger No. 1 quick follow up shots

[Linkerman]

Good evening from the Texas Hill Country. I just put together this evening my Ruger No. 1B chambered in 300 Win Mag topped with a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 scope. Weather permitting I have several different loads to test tomorrow. I am not new to the No 1 as I have a 243 1B that I have hunted whitetail deer with while setting in blinds and second or follow shots have never been required. I am leaning towards taking the 300 Win Mag on my first plains game safari in June of 2027 and have a couple of questions.

1) Being a single shot what s the best method for carrying extra ammo that is quickly accessable for follow up shots?
2) What is your method for quickly reloading for a second shot?

Thank you!!

 

[JimP]

I use a Uncle Mike's shell holder that fits over the stock.

For fast follow-up shots, practice, practice, and practice some more until you open the chamber automatically, grab a new shell and drop it in.

I've seen people shooting a #1 and reloading just as fast as a bolt action.

 

[coreydb]

I use a stock mounted cartridge holder. Works perfect for me.

 

[Rez Exelon]

I have a No 1 in 416 Rem that this worked real well on: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0972C91VP

 

[Hedge774]

I love the Wayne's Dog set up. I have one on my 338 Ruger African. You can also put extra recoil pads in it!

 

[TheDoubleD]

5 round or 10 round belt slide. Got mine from Jeff's Outfitters

My experience with butt slides is negative.

 

[RLD]

I heard Kevin Robertson talking about quick f/u shots from that rifle on a podcast once and he described a PH who had a row of elastic shell loops sewn on a shirt above the breast pocket from which he could draw and reload very quickly.

 

[Bandera]

I load off of a Murray culling belt.
I also load with my strong hand.

Process:
Shoot
Strong hand opens action.
Strong hand drops to belt.
Rifle is tilted slightly butt down.
Shell is pulled with a three finger grip. Index and middle finger on top, thumb on bottom.
The thumb gives the final push into chamber, the fingers are extending towards the lever.
Lever is closed as rifle comes back to shoulder.
My eyes are on the cartridge from the ejection to the insertion.
You must see the cartridge ejected and loaded. This takes a glance.

A bunch of people advocate using the weak hand.
Why the strong hand? You have way more dexterity with your strong hand.

it really helps to have the front of the safety beveled to allow the shell to eject fully.

 

[Art Lambart II]

In 2024 I used my Ruger #1 in 416 Rigby for my first buffalo hunt. I used two round wrist strap on my non-shooting hand and a pair of belt slides. For fast follow up shots I reloaded from my wrist strap, if time allowed I reloaded from the belt slides.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

 

[glblanchard]

Dick Murray butt cuff with the elastic cartridge holder. I put the cartridges in the cuff with the bullet pointing up. Practice, practice, and practice some more. It's very fast once you get used to it.

 

[meigsbucks]

When shooting off sticks, after firing, I lower the lever and my hand continues down to draw a round from a belt slide.
I’ve tried butt stock holders and find them slower. I’ve also tried the between the fingers method but with a Lott, but have fumbled a few.
I’ve done a lot of hunting with Contender and Encore handguns and rifles and used a two round wrist strap as @ Art Lambert ll described with success. I’ve not yet tried it with a #1.

 

[Rez Exelon]

IIRC during the Trapdoor days, didn't the soldiers have a pouch of rounds on their belt and they just trained trained trained? I don't know that I want to rapid fire my trapdoor that much though --- seems like a good way to simulate going a few rounds with prime-era Mike Tyson

 

[TheDoubleD]

Where can I find a wrist strap, loader?

I would like to find another of the open Top loaders I got from Jeff's Outfitters. Any suggestions where find one of those?