Dilema Ruger 77 or a Ruger no 1

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crash60

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I have a chance to trade my like new Ruger 77 MkII in 350 RM for an older Ruger no 1 in 35 Whelan. Your thoughts, I'm considering, as I've always wanted a Whelan. I know ballistically they're the same, but just need a push one way or other.....crash60
 
Have you hunted with a single shot rifle before? It is not for everyone... some think it is, but are never quite comfortable in the field without a quick followup shot at the ready. I love both platforms and have many of both. Sometimes I am just in the mood for the simplicity of a No.1... as for the Whelen cartridge, it is a good one, I have had Whelens in both the No.1 and M77, but currently have neither... my .35's are all .358 Win or .350 RM at the moment, both of which, I rather like. Personally, all factors considered, I don't think I would give up the M77 MKII 350 for a No.1 35 Whelen... unless you "just wanna," then go for it.
 
Flanged rounds are quite appropriate in a No.1. I have .45-70 and 9.3x74R (both S models). And an exception: 7.62x39 No.1-A. :cool:

The allure of the No.1? It's the challenge of the single shot. Just 1 shot to down your quarry. Plus the No.1-A and No.1-S models are relatively lightweight and nicely balanced with the sporter barrels. The compact No.1 action makes for a compact rifle.

Strong actions. In particular my No.1-S .45-70 (and only mine!) seems to safely handle loads well above what the reloading manuals list. The 35 Whelen in a No.1 might be the same way? Or since it's a rimless cartridge there wouldn't be as much extraction grip as on a flanged round? An individual I know owns a .300 Wby No.1 that has extraction issues whereby the extractor slips off the case when high performance loads are fired leaving the case stuck in the chamber.

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I have a #1H in 405 Win. I love it. I would say that my dad taught me to treat every rifle like a single shot and make the first shot count. I have many bolt repeaters that rarely shoot more than one shot per animal . Get that number one and enjoy it.
 
Slamfire said:
Flanged rounds are quite appropriate in a No.1. I have .45-70 and 9.3x74R (both S models). And an exception: 7.62x39 No.1-A. :cool:
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I've toyed with the idea of turning my 458WM into a 450NE for a few years now. There's no good reason why, but I like the idea better. Be fun to frappe deer with it out here in NS. My buddy told me that none of his stand locations were good for guns as they were all around 20-30 yards. I think that's just about perfect!

Unless someone wants to trade their 450 NE #1 for my 458WM #1. That's the easiest way to do it.
 
I'd make the trade though I have a certain bias for no 1s. Hunted with one sense I began hunting and never had trouble. Only reason I stopped wasn't because I didn't like them, it was more to make sure they stay in excellent condition instead of being roughed up through the bush.
 
As I mature in the rifle ownership game I appreciate #1s more and more. Something different and requiring a bit more "old bull" vs "young bull" mentality is attractive. Problem is one is rarely enough. Go for it if you reload.
 
Took many whitetail and mule deer in Saskatchewan with my Model 70 308. Could not recall a single deer that I got with any rounds from the magazine. If the one in the chamber didn't hit, neither did any of the others and I emptied it several times over the years. Got enough money together and bought a Ruger #1 in 7x57. Turns out, most times, there is actually quite enough time to place "one good shot". And, with practice, a second shot is available in about the time that a deliberate semi or pump shooter would be on his third. Has worked very well - I think I had a run of 12 or 13 "one shot kills" until I ran into a stubborn mule deer buck south of Val Marie, Sask that finally fell down after 8 or 9 shots - thanks to the previous night's Jack Daniels when I was trying to act like 22 when I was actually 55!!! My son has "inherited" the Model 70.
 
Potashminer said:
Took many whitetail and mule deer in Saskatchewan with my Model 70 308. Could not recall a single deer that I got with any rounds from the magazine. If the one in the chamber didn't hit, neither did any of the others and I emptied it several times over the years. Got enough money together and bought a Ruger #1 in 7x57. Turns out, most times, there is actually quite enough time to place "one good shot". And, with practice, a second shot is available in about the time that a deliberate semi or pump shooter would be on his third. Has worked very well - I think I had a run of 12 or 13 "one shot kills" until I ran into a stubborn mule deer buck south of Val Marie, Sask that finally fell down after 8 or 9 shots - thanks to the previous night's Jack Daniels when I was trying to act like 22 when I was actually 55!!! My son has "inherited" the Model 70.
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And I'm proudly the current caretaker of that 7X57 #1 and don't see it finding a new home any time soon. I also have a #1 in 35 Whelen that I don't see finding a new home in my lifetime either. Love my #1's and believe you'd be very happy with one in 35 Whelen.
 
Go with the #1, the world is full of bolt actions and there is much to admire about the simplicity of the #1.
 
“The man with a single shot rifle, stalking his game skillfully, thoughtfully calculating his range, not just shooting at his quarry but selecting the most effective shot to place that bullet, then carefully aiming and making that one shot count — that man surely is more of a hunter than is the fellow having half a dozen shots available in his repeater.” ;)

http://dailycaller.com/2015/10/03/ruger-no-1-one-fine-single-shot-rifle/

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