Does the Ruger #1 shoot?

[roysclockgun]

Years ago, I bought a Ruger #1 in 7mmRemMag. It would not group acceptably. Checking, I found that there was some issue with how the fore stock was attached and that if I removed the fore stock, the rifle would shoot. Sure enough that was true.
Now, I am considering buying a #1 in 45-70. Will I encounter the same issue?
TIA,
Steven

 

[Guy Miner]

It might, but... it might not.

I've had four Ruger Number One rifles and sadly only own one now, a .375 H&H.

That thing shoots great! Recently shot a .84" group from sitting - and I don't mean sitting at a bench, I mean sitting position, wide legs and just letting the crosshairs settle on the target and squeeze the trigger. Yeah, I was pleased with my loads and the rifle.

Three of my four Number One rifles have shot well. Interestingly, the one that had problems was a late 1970's 7mm mag 1B or "standard." I never did get that thing to shoot better than about 1.5 MOA, and eventually sold it. Should have kept it, beautiful rifle and 1.5 MOA isn't all bad for a general purpose hunting rifle - especially when it had walnut like that... Dang...

The .25-06 "varminter" was incredibly accurate. I should have kept that one. The .300 mag "medium sporter" was decently accurate with 180 gr ammo either factory or handloaded to around 3,000 fps. The accuracy of the .375 brings a grin to my face until I can't handle it anymore.

I also understand that during the past 20 years or so Ruger has greatly improved the quality of barrel being installed on the Number One, leading to improved accuracy.

The forearm/barrel problem is still potentially there, but fixes to it exist, some very inexpensive, such as making sure the forearm doesn't contact the receiver directly, or adjusting the tension of the forearm bolt.

I like the .45/70 Number One. It's got a great balance and usually good accuracy from what I've heard. BTW, perhaps the most accurate bullet I've ever shot from a .45/70 (a Marlin) was the 425 gr Beartooth "Piledriver Junior" cast bullet. Superb over H322.

Regards, Guy

 

[FOTIS]

Never had one that did not shoot!

 

[6mm Remington]

I love those #1's and I have two that both shoot very well. The 30-06 has always done this well. The 6mm I had my gunsmith work his magic with the fore-end. It would shoot but was not consistant. It works now!!
30-06 4x Leupold scope- 100 yards. 165 gr. AccuBond

6mm Remington 6x Leupold scope 100 yards. 100 gr. Partition in "both" loads!

 

[BeeTee]

Never had one that did not shoot!

I had a #1B in 25-06 that produced fired cartridge cases with out-of-square bases - the breech block wasn't square to the chamber. I could easily see the out-of-square bases when rolling fired cases on a smooth table top. That and a bore that was .002-.003" oversize didn't help accuracy. I bought it hoping for a 400-500 yard capable antelope rifle. This was in the early 1990s. Sweet rifle, but it wouldn't produce the accuracy I needed.

A manufacturer's barrel quality can vary over time, but I'd be curious to know if those owning a #1 can measure any out-of-squareness on the bases of their fired cases.