BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I haven't but they abound in the 7mm-08's older and classier cousin, the 7mmx57. Get one. You'll be happy you listened to me.
Single Shot hunting rifles?
- Thread starter TrxR
- Start date
I haven't but they abound in the 7mm-08's older and classier cousin, the 7mmx57. Get one. You'll be happy you listened to me.
Yes... I have seen and shot and attempted to buy away a No.1 in 7mm-08 from what used to be a cherished friend... now he is a churlish friend...
Nice gun and I dearly desired it, but already had two 7X57's and it was definitely a want thing not a need thing (but then again, most of them are). Better save your pennies, because they sell for $300-400 more than more common calibers.
As a reasonably price single shot the Handi Rifles are not bad. I had to shoot my bore in and this took a bit of ammo to do it. It can be done quicker by polishing / honing the bore. But it was nice to see the barrel settle and start shooting tighter groups as time went on. There are a few minor modifications that can be done to help in bringing the accuracy around.
Finding an ammo that it likes is important. I'm probably close to 1 MOA at 100 yards and that's close enough for me. The scope rail should be checked to make sure it's tight. Like all rifles the Handi ought to have a decent set of rings on it. Also a decent scope makes a big difference too. It can be seen a s a unit that requires some attention to get it to shoot good groups; and I would suggest that it's a good rifle to learn how to do tweaks to, and this knowledge can help when working on other rifles.
Finding an ammo that it likes is important. I'm probably close to 1 MOA at 100 yards and that's close enough for me. The scope rail should be checked to make sure it's tight. Like all rifles the Handi ought to have a decent set of rings on it. Also a decent scope makes a big difference too. It can be seen a s a unit that requires some attention to get it to shoot good groups; and I would suggest that it's a good rifle to learn how to do tweaks to, and this knowledge can help when working on other rifles.
Ruger No1 rifles are lovely things and their triggers can be adjusted to just over a pound.
I have three of them at present. One in 45-70 with a well figured butt stock, another in 338-06 that is going to be re barreled to 280 Remington this winter and one in 30-06, no sights that is as new. Very few rounds through it and it looks like it was never carried in the field. I got it in a trade and will likely sell it at one of the upcoming gun shows.
One thing about Ruger No1 rifles. They are expensive. Not prohibitively though. If you are on a Savage budget they are out of your price range. Used rifles in excellent condition start at $1000. Prophet River has some on sale right now and they start over $1400 then there are taxes and shipping on top of it.
Some Ruger No1 rifles have accuracy issues. There are some fixes out there for this but it has been my experience that poorly fitted fore ends and barrels of questionable quality have more to do with it than anything. Then later made CNC rifles and barrels are a whole different ball game and are usually very accurate right out of the box.
The rifle I have chambered in 338-06 was previously chambered in 30-06 and had some definite accuracy issues. The bore looked good but had three loose spots right from the factory. It had another issue as well. The extractor claw, the weakest part of the action was applying to much pressure against the extractor groove, this didn't help make matters any better and actually made extraction erratic.
If you buy an older No1, make sure you question the seller. They can be fixed or made to work well consistently but once the trust is lost in a rifle, it's hard to get it back.
Ruger dumped on their customers for a couple of years with substandard components. They have retooled an fixed their issues. Trouble is, some of those rifles are still out there.
I have three of them at present. One in 45-70 with a well figured butt stock, another in 338-06 that is going to be re barreled to 280 Remington this winter and one in 30-06, no sights that is as new. Very few rounds through it and it looks like it was never carried in the field. I got it in a trade and will likely sell it at one of the upcoming gun shows.
One thing about Ruger No1 rifles. They are expensive. Not prohibitively though. If you are on a Savage budget they are out of your price range. Used rifles in excellent condition start at $1000. Prophet River has some on sale right now and they start over $1400 then there are taxes and shipping on top of it.
Some Ruger No1 rifles have accuracy issues. There are some fixes out there for this but it has been my experience that poorly fitted fore ends and barrels of questionable quality have more to do with it than anything. Then later made CNC rifles and barrels are a whole different ball game and are usually very accurate right out of the box.
The rifle I have chambered in 338-06 was previously chambered in 30-06 and had some definite accuracy issues. The bore looked good but had three loose spots right from the factory. It had another issue as well. The extractor claw, the weakest part of the action was applying to much pressure against the extractor groove, this didn't help make matters any better and actually made extraction erratic.
If you buy an older No1, make sure you question the seller. They can be fixed or made to work well consistently but once the trust is lost in a rifle, it's hard to get it back.
Ruger dumped on their customers for a couple of years with substandard components. They have retooled an fixed their issues. Trouble is, some of those rifles are still out there.
I have a #1A in 7-08, it's not for sale. Paid 550.00 for it back in 97 at the Swift Current spring gun show, still laughing.
How true - hard to regain trust! I am also aware of the period of "less than perfect" Ruger products (in the past)... and have stayed clear - I still have yet to own a Ruger product. But I sure admire the looks of the No. 1 . I have also seen their little .22 auto pistols shoot extraordinary well when shot by competent marksmen. Easily doing better than the Walthers and Model 41's . Based on current reviews from owners though it appears they have cleaned up their act. I saw a Ruger bolt in 243W win an F class match against some pretty good competition .. once.
I have a #1 in 280Rem that I picked up a couple of decades ago. Sat in the safe for a while, then became my favourite in the early 00's. Taken a dozen or two deer in Southern Alberta with it. Added a speed lock hammer early on and the trigger has always been good. It is getting new wood - very fancy Claro - and extensive checkering before I pass it along to one of the grandkids. Sadly I have become too decrepit for extensive armed hikes.
Dr Jim
Dr Jim
I had to cull my handi rifle stable down to two rifles and a shotgun... For now.
Rather addictive rifles, lol.
Keep an eye on Prophet Rivers used section, they seem to get interesting rifles on consignment from time to time.
Perhaps a #1 in 7-08 may show up someday.
Rather addictive rifles, lol.
Keep an eye on Prophet Rivers used section, they seem to get interesting rifles on consignment from time to time.
Perhaps a #1 in 7-08 may show up someday.
I have a stainless T/C Prohunter with 2 shortened to 22" barrels in 30-06 and 375H&H but I find these spend most of their time in the safe this isn't because I don't like them it is because I like the much smaller single shot T/C Contender carbine platform a lot more.
I have 5 stainless Gen 1 frames, 1 stainless G2 frame, 1 blued Gen 1 frame and appr 20 barrels from 20 - 50 cal lengths range from 14" - 24" with my latest favorite being a 14" stainless SSK Ind bull barrel chambered in 375JDJ OAL is 29 1/2" with my 235gr loads @ 2100fps I've got the smallest do everything to moose out to 250 yard I could ever dream of.
Here are a few pics of a few of my combo's with a few of our local coastal blacktail deer.
14" 45-70 Contender
14" 375JDJ Contender
14" 45-70 again
6.8SPC Contender
375JDJ Contender
308Bellm Contender
45-70 Contender
22" 30-06 Prohunter
same gun my son
I have 5 stainless Gen 1 frames, 1 stainless G2 frame, 1 blued Gen 1 frame and appr 20 barrels from 20 - 50 cal lengths range from 14" - 24" with my latest favorite being a 14" stainless SSK Ind bull barrel chambered in 375JDJ OAL is 29 1/2" with my 235gr loads @ 2100fps I've got the smallest do everything to moose out to 250 yard I could ever dream of.
Here are a few pics of a few of my combo's with a few of our local coastal blacktail deer.
14" 45-70 Contender
14" 375JDJ Contender
14" 45-70 again
6.8SPC Contender
375JDJ Contender
308Bellm Contender
45-70 Contender
22" 30-06 Prohunter
same gun my son
