Finally!! Range results for #1 Ruger in 303 British

Eagleye

Eagleye

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:D Well, after several false starts, I finally got out to the range today to put my new #1 Ruger in 303 British through it's paces. I have to say I am very impressed, indeed. Keep in mind, I did minimal load development, relying more on experience gained with a couple of P14 rifles. Here are the results. The groups are 3-shot only, and the measurements are the average of 3 groups with each load. Listed from best to worst:
150 Hornady Interlk - IVI brass, CCI 200, 47.0 grains N540......8"
174 Hornady Interlk - WW Brass, CCI 200, 46.0 grains Big Game.....95"
200 Speer Grand Slam - WW Brass, WLR, 47.0 grains 47N.....1.0"
180 Sierra Spitzer - IVI Brass, CCI 200, 50.0 grains W760.....1.2"
180 Norma RNSP - IVI Brass, CCI 200, 50.0 grains W760.....1.3"
I can hunt very easily with any of these loads. The 150 Hornady surprised me, since I expected the heavier bullets to outperform the light ones, but this #1 likes them, obviously. The barrel seems to clean up easily, with little copper fouling evident, a bonus. Now to go shoot something with it. FWIW, the 174 Hornady load chronographs 2620 fps. Right with the 308 Winchester, and no pressure signs at all. This Ruger is definitely a keeper. Regards, Eagleye.
 
:needPics:

Cool!:D

I'm curious what it would do with basic factory ammo?:confused:

I always got good results with Federal Classic 180 gr. SP (now I assume it's called Federal Hi-Shok.)

I've recently shot some Winchester 180 gr. PP out of a Savage No.4 Mk.1 and it grouped OK too.
 
Since I never shoot factory ammo [Haven't shot 20 rounds of factory centerfire ammo in the last 40 years] I cannot make any statements about it. The #1 is a modern, very strong action, and I suspect factory loads will be a bit on the "soft" side anyway. Not suggesting one "hotrod" this old warrior, but it is a 308 class chambering, with practically identical capacity, so 308 Ballistics in this are quite realistic. My scanner is not behaving right now, so pics of these groups may have to wait. Eagleye.
 
Finally got some handloads through mine today too

Barnes 150gr TSX @ 3.14" OAL
44.5grs IMR 8208xbr
2730 fps avg

Sierra 150gr ProHunter @ 3.0" OAL
45.0 grs Varget
2640 fps avg

Sierra 180gr ProHunter @ 3.1" OAL
47.0 grs RL17
2400 fps avg

Winchester 180gr Silvertip factory load
2300 fps avg


Accuracy with the Sierra loads was 2.25-2.5" 5 shot @ 100m. The TSX was similar for 3 shot groups. I get vertical stringing, might have to tinker with tension or bed the forend
 
303

I got out to the range a couple of weeks back with a box of Federal factory 150gr loads to break in the new bore and found the gun shot a consistant inch and a quarter to inch and a half. These groups were shot at 100 yds through a six power Weaver micro trac scope. David.
 
Thanks for posting your results. I was very curious about how these rifles would perform. It seems like they shoot just like other Ruger #1's
 
I think that anywhere near 1" this early on, is excellent, but no gun report is complete without a full testing of cast bullet loads.
 
ben hunchak said:
I think that anywhere near 1" this early on, is excellent, but no gun report is complete without a full testing of cast bullet loads.
Click to expand...

Ben; I will probably not go there with this 303. The only things I shoot cast in is my 357 Magnum S&W 586, and my Winchester Legendary Frontiersman in 38-55. Regards, Eagleye.
 
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