Bought a No. 1 in 416 Rigby, from the Cabela's , Leupold mounted and it'd cloverleaf groups at a 100yards, right out of the box. Not sure why guys can't figure out how to shoot a Ruger No.1 with fine accuracy.
Ruger #1 accuracy
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69precision
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Sure with enough work maybe they will shoot or maybe some do out of the box. Or you could buy even a savage axis or ruger American and have moa out of the box for a third the cost.
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Varmint Hunter
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Could you tell us how accurately your Sharps Rifle and your accurate Leverguns shoot? I'm kind of surprised if you're suggesting that they have similar accuracy to a bolt rifle.
M. L. McPherson actually wrote an entire book on lever guns, 350 pages on Amazon if you're actually interested. He explains things, with photos, way better than could possibly type out answers for ya. Worth every penny.
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HARPERC
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The biggest problem with the #1, and #3 is some of the mythology/adoration that goes along with them. Objectivity is often lacking in discussions about them. Kind of like a beautiful horse-spoiled rotten because it's owner are more afraid of scars than pursuing useable.
Like any other rifle bolt or otherwise some shoot some don't. My #3 would literally drive nails factory straight. A #1 .30-06 required similar treatment to my first Remington bolt gun-replaced everything on it before it performed up to standard.
"IF" one takes the same approach as we would with a bolt gun, meaning a quality, barrel, correctly bedded synthetic stock, good trigger, scope, and ammo they will give varmint, or hunting accuracy, even at longer ranges.
Like any other rifle bolt or otherwise some shoot some don't. My #3 would literally drive nails factory straight. A #1 .30-06 required similar treatment to my first Remington bolt gun-replaced everything on it before it performed up to standard.
"IF" one takes the same approach as we would with a bolt gun, meaning a quality, barrel, correctly bedded synthetic stock, good trigger, scope, and ammo they will give varmint, or hunting accuracy, even at longer ranges.
Yep, Browning 1885 BPCR 45-70, also legendary accuracy, with a 2-piece wood stock. The Vernier Tang sight with bubble level front sight, they just flat work. The wood being in two separate pieces, just like the Sharps or the Ruger, does not affect the accuracy of the design
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69precision
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I think that's a separate discussion. I've seen lots of lever guns that shoot incredibly well. Of course plenty of Sharps as well. It's the ruger #1 specifically that I've seen so many people have trouble with. The world is a big place, so I believe some guys have been able to get them to shoot. Personally in 40 years of shooting I've seen a lot of ruger #1's and exactly 1 of them had decent accuracy-about 1.5 moa-in person.
Does kinda make ya wonder, how Ruger #1's stayed so popular for 50 years. Of the 70 plus different rounds they were chambered for, think the word would of got out, if the accuracy was only so so. Maybe they sold most of those good rifles, before internet days.ThinkN a whole bunch of guys found the ol' Ruger No.1 ,shoots pretty good, in the right hands. Why'd they even make it in 7STW, if they won't shoot? Lot of those chamberings speak volumes, on the Ruger No.1's potential, in the right hands.
Muddyboots
Well-Known Member
Mark Penrod, Penrod Precision, N. Manchester, Indiana is a Ruger No. 1 guru GS. Heck, builds them. I would give him a call to discuss. He is doing some work for me right now, again....
Mark can tell you more about them than prob anyone.
Mark Penrod
Penrod Precision
312 E College Ave
North Manchester, IN 46962
(260) 982-8385
Mark can tell you more about them than prob anyone.
Mark Penrod
Penrod Precision
312 E College Ave
North Manchester, IN 46962
(260) 982-8385
HARPERC
Well-Known Member
In terms of the #1's I don't believe at the end of the day the very best, purpose built bolt actions will provide better groups than the very best of other types.
That said, 0.5" groups are possible. My #3 in .375 Winchester put 10 325 grain cast bullets into an inch at 100 yards. Completely stock, only addition an old 10x Leupold. Jacketed factory or handloads much better.
How much do you need?
Muddyboots
Well-Known Member
The allure of the Ruger No. 1 is the simple elegance of it. If you are looking for a LR rifle, prob they are 500 or so based on discussions with GS. Its not so much its a 2 piece stock as much as how the for-end bolts up to the hanger. The front stock pressure on a bag, cross stick et al is incredibly sensitive to consistent placement and downward pressure. I had one in 7RM that drove me nuts on inconsistent groups. One sec it is 3/4" and next 2"+ at 100. Once I determined for-end position, it shot fine.
In fact Encores are notorious for same forend positioning for accuracy.
In fact Encores are notorious for same forend positioning for accuracy.
Muddyboots
Well-Known Member
There are so called hanger "fixes" with allen screw etc but IMO, the pressure point is the most critical. Heck, I have an old Savage 110C in OEM walnut stock that has similar issue. No not replacing stock, it has significant memories embedded in it.
69precision
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I mean, word has got out. They are pretty well known for a lot of them being not super accurate. This is far from the first post on the internet regarding the subject. It doesn't mean some of them won't shoot, or that with enough work you can't make one shoot. It's just fairly well known that out of the box accuracy is pretty spotty, which a lot of folks find annoying given the price point.
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Have read of that hanger deal but, never seen No.1 yet that wasn't a shooter, out of the box. They no doubt , probably do exist, with a tinkering to do left in e'm. Ruger No.1 quite the rig, by the Bill Ruger back in1966. Bill Ruger had, an old Scottish gamekeeper turnD gunmaker's rifle, in his office gun collection. Ruger takes that 1872 Farquharson patented single-shot design and makes it available for the modern day Hunter. Fifty years later, No.1's , been sold out ever since, genius.
