Allure of the Ruger No1

[Ontario Hunter]

Yes they can. The fastest time and score in the Zimbabwe PH proficiency trials was with a Ruger No1. My buddy recently won our big bore comp which involves timed shots with a No1 in 375 H&H.

Really? So you're telling me you can open the chamber with one hand, then reach for a shell, and put it in the chamber, then close it with that hand (all without looking at the gun) and regrip and fire with that hand faster than I can simply open and close my chamber and fire WITHOUT the gun leaving my shoulder (hypothetically anyway ... I always remount after cycling)? Maybe after four rounds the shooter with Mauser slows down to parallel speed as firing a No. 1 ... if he's unable to restock the magazine. Slower than No. 1 if no snapover and he cannot drop a shell in chamber, close, and fire. I'm assuming the PH competition has shooters firing more than four rounds in succession? How often would that happen in the real world without an opportunity to refill magazine?

 

[ChrisG]

Really? So you're telling me you can open the chamber with one hand, then reach for a shell, and put it in the chamber, then close it with that hand and regrip and fire with that hand faster than I can simply open and close my chamber and fire WITHOUT the gun leaving my shoulder (hypothetically anyway ... I always remount after cycling)? Maybe after four rounds the shooter with Mauser slows down to parallel speed as firing a No. 1 ... if he's unable to restock the magazine. Slower than No. 1 if no snapover and he cannot drop a shell in chamber, close, and fire. I'm assuming the PH competition has shooters firing more than four rounds in succession? How often would that happen in the real world without an opportunity to refill magazine?

It's direct from Kevin Roberston. The PH trainee in question was very proficient and had practiced extensively with that no. 1. Then, he had his mom stitch cartridge loops on the shoulder of his shirt so he could grab a shell without looking and stuff it right into the gun. Given practice, its amazing the proficiency humans can attain at what, at first, appear to be very complicated movements by simplifying them and repetition.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

It's direct from Kevin Roberston. The PH trainee in question was very proficient and had practiced extensively with that no. 1. Then, he had his mom stitch cartridge loops on the shoulder of his shirt so he could grab a shell without looking and stuff it right into the gun. Given practice, its amazing the proficiency humans can attain at what, at first, appear to be very complicated movements by simplifying them and repetition.

What good is that? Will this guy guide clients in the bush with cartridges stitched to his sleeve? Of course not. He shouldn't be allowed to qualify with anything less than what he'll be using at work. Anyway, all things being equal (same amount of practice time and no specialized adaptations) I find it hard to believe anyone could fire a No. 1 more efficiently than a quality bolt action, especially one with detachable magazine. Would seem to defy the laws of physics.

 

[ChrisG]

What good is that? Will this guy guide clients in the bush with cartridges stitched to his sleeve? Of course not. He shouldn't be allowed to qualify with anything less than what he'll be using at work. Anyway, all things being equal (same amount of practice time and no specialized adaptations) I find it hard to believe anyone could fire a No. 1 more efficiently than a quality bolt action, especially one with detachable magazine. Would seem to defy the laws of physics.

Sure! Why not? It's an incredibly simple action with almost no parts to break. You should watch the video/listen to the podcast with Dr. Robertson explaining it and the many shortfalls that he found in many of the "quality" bolt guns used during the trials (broken CRF ejectors, Bolts that needed to be hammered open because of rough chambers and african heat) They really aren't such an outdated piece of garbage that so many relegate to the dustbin of history.. Gibbs Farquharson or Metford rifles were being made and sold long after the invention of the "superior" Mauser and the slicked up versions of mausers used by Rigby, WR, Purdy, Jeffrey, etc. And a lot of the single shots were in dangerous game calibers. I think that fact alone contributes to the legitimacy. Especially since they were more expensive in some cases that a working man's mauser in something like 10.75x68... if cost was the factor, they should have long gone out of use by then.

As much as you don't like them, they still continue to kill game and be used effectively all over the world to this day.

If hunting is always about the most efficient or practical way of obtaining meat or a trophy, we would raise beef ourselves or hire a helicopter equipped with an M249 to simply shoot from a comfy seat with a machine gun. Its not at all and anyone who thinks they are a subsistence hunter living in a modern 1st world country is delusional.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Sure! Why not? It's an incredibly simple action with almost no parts to break. You should watch the video/listen to the podcast with Dr. Robertson explaining it and the many shortfalls that he found in many of the "quality" bolt guns used during the trials (broken CRF ejectors, Bolts that needed to be hammered open because of rough chambers and african heat) They really aren't such an outdated piece of garbage that so many relegate to the dustbin of history.. Gibbs Farquharson or Metford rifles were being made and sold long after the invention of the "superior" Mauser and the slicked up versions of mausers used by Rigby, WR, Purdy, Jeffrey, etc. And a lot of the single shots were in dangerous game calibers. I think that fact alone contributes to the legitimacy. Especially since they were more expensive in some cases that a working man's mauser in something like 10.75x68... if cost was the factor, they should have long gone out of use by then.

As much as you don't like them, they still continue to kill game and be used effectively all over the world to this day.

If hunting is always about the most efficient or practical way of obtaining meat or a trophy, we would raise beef ourselves or hire a helicopter equipped with an M249 to simply shoot from a comfy seat with a machine gun. Its not at all and anyone who thinks they are a subsistence hunter living in a modern 1st world country is delusional.

Yes, the added mechanism of feeding cartridges from a magazine rather than fingers raises the specter of increased probability of mechanical failure at the wrong time. Is it outweighed by the advantage of having more rounds ready to load quicker and more conveniently? Does Dr Robertson take note of the potential for a hunter to accidentally drop the rounds he's trying to load in a No. 1? I submit the potential for human failure due to mishandling ammo during reloading far surpasses the probability a quality bolt action having a mechanical failure. Pretty hard to argue otherwise. Generally speaking, machinery is more reliable than humans.

I understand the attraction. They are beautiful guns and making something relatively "primitive" work effectively in the modern era is perceived as a novel and notable accomplishment. Again, who wants to be normal? I built my own Africa gun because I didn't want to be an average Joe buying one off the shelf. But for me, the way I hunt, a single shot is simply too counterproductive. I don't have to shoot something every time I go hunting, but there is a line in the sand. Everyone draws it differently.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

This video is short and to the point. Not super fast reloads, but demonstrates the technique and can easily be much quicker if desired.

 

[BC Tal]

I choose to hunt with the Ruger No 1 because I can and I want to. That is my line in the sand.

 

[WAB]

This video is short and to the point. Not super fast reloads, but demonstrates the technique and can easily be much quicker if desired.

We were heading to Delta, AK to meet a friend for some predator calling. Icy roads made us late and when we got to his camp he was standing by his pickup looking a bit sheepish. Turns out he got impatient and decided to do a little calling behind camp. Well he pulled a pack of wolves in tight. He was shooting a Ruger No 3 in .223. Putting a bullet between each finger he took the first wolf at 12 yards. The pack took off but they were porpoising in the deep snow. He reloaded, took the next one in the back of the head as it came up 20 yards out and so on. There were five dead wolves completely filling the bed of his truck. So yes, a single shot can be run pretty quickly.

And man were we sorry we were late!

 

[geoff rath]

Kevin, you now have all the rifles you need to keep hunting Afrika; the double, and now the '06. I'm sure you have a suitable shotgun, and mebbe a personal "tool" for self defence. You are going to have a perfect Christmas.

Let's try to find good Bloke Kevin a good shotgun??

 

[Nevada Mike]

Let's try to find good Bloke Kevin a good shotgun??

IMO, the best using shotgun FOR THE MONEY (right now) is a Brit 12 gauge boxlock ejector from the period 1900 - 1950. Well made, simple, inexpensive and durable. I recommend 28" barrels and chokes of Improved Cylinder and Improved Modified. Good for everything from snipe to crazed warthogs with appropriate munitions.

 

[WAB]

IMO, the best using shotgun FOR THE MONEY (right now) is a Brit 12 gauge boxlock ejector from the period 1900 - 1950. Well made, simple, inexpensive and durable. I recommend 28" barrels and chokes of Improved Cylinder and Improved Modified. Good for everything from snipe to crazed warthogs with appropriate munitions.

There are so many great guns on the market in the UK right now. I’m not sure what complexities Kevin would face getting one to Zim. On the Thomas Bland I recently purchased, I received the US import permit in 24 hours and the UK export permit in 3 weeks. Its not nearly the challenge many would have you believe

 

[Forrest Halley]

I preferred to hunt hard in adverse conditions. Reloading a single shot in a snowstorm with gloves on did not appeal to me much. Also, if I have to make a follow up shot, especially at dangerous game, I DO NOT want to take my eyes off the animal to reload. Anyone can shuck another round into a Mauser or Springfield without looking at the gun. Heck, I can even load the magazine blindfolded. Can even an experienced shooter do that with a No. 1? Hmmm.

So let me tell you a story...two stories actually. One a miss and two a kill of whitetail deer. I was shooting a .375 H&H with a 300 grain Sierra Game King pushed hard. So both times when everything was settled and the deer was long gone or dead I found the gun to be loaded. One of the shells in my pocket was empty. I don't have any recollection of loading the gun. I was so focused on the game that I reloaded the gun without conscious effort.
I can shoot an Encore pretty quick too, but I can at least remember plucking the shells.

 

[JimP]

Once you get accumsted to shooting and the reloading of a single shot you will find it quite easy.

Also with a single shot you learn the importance of that first shot.

I throughly enjoy single shot rifles and pistols for hunting. That includes metallic cartridges awith muzzle loaders.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

This video is short and to the point. Not super fast reloads, but demonstrates the technique and can easily be much quicker if desired.

Interesting. I'm not sure shooting a beautifully finished expensive Ruger No. 1 wearing brass knuckles would be a good idea, especially in a hard kicking DGR caliber. Good way to scratch the fore end. Speaking of DGR, does a hunter even have time to load up his fingers with ammo when Black Death suddenly appears in the brush? Will his fingers still be loaded after the first 416 Rigby round is fired? Very doubtful. It may be possible to shoot and reload a No. 1 this way. I just don't think it would be practical for many hunting situations.

 

[Sideshow]

Sure you can hold onto them fatter cartridges you will find grip better. Also the last thing you would be worried about is a couple of scratches. Which you can steam out.
Not a R No1 but here’s a Watson 500 up for sale.

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Is recommended smoking a big cigar whilst shooting the 500. Just don’t confuse the too when the smoke clears and try to spark up the 500’s between your fingers instead of the cigar. You need a pic of Patton or Churchill in your head to complete the look

 

[Red Leg]

Interesting. I'm not sure shooting a beautifully finished expensive Ruger No. 1 wearing brass knuckles would be a good idea, especially in a hard kicking DGR caliber. Good way to scratch the fore end. Speaking of DGR, does a hunter even have time to load up his fingers with ammo when Black Death suddenly appears in the brush? Will his fingers still be loaded after the first 416 Rigby round is fired? Very doubtful. It may be possible to shoot and reload a No. 1 this way. I just don't think it would be practical for many hunting situations.

It is the same basic technique many very experienced hunters use when approaching game with a double rifle - big hard kicking double rifles. Two rounds are held between the fingers of the left hand and quickly dropped in the chambers as the gun is opened and the fired rounds ejected. And of course that double would have cost a lot more than a No. 1.

 

[Red Leg]

Another elegant upgrade from the No. 1 is a Bailey Bradshaw "Rising Block" in a traditional chambering. This is mine in 7x65R. It is long, lean, elegant, and extraordinarily accurate. It has been my favorite whitetail rifle for a while.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Really? So you're telling me you can open the chamber with one hand, then reach for a shell, and put it in the chamber, then close it with that hand (all without looking at the gun) and regrip and fire with that hand faster than I can simply open and close my chamber and fire WITHOUT the gun leaving my shoulder (hypothetically anyway ... I always remount after cycling)? Maybe after four rounds the shooter with Mauser slows down to parallel speed as firing a No. 1 ... if he's unable to restock the magazine. Slower than No. 1 if no snapover and he cannot drop a shell in chamber, close, and fire. I'm assuming the PH competition has shooters firing more than four rounds in succession? How often would that happen in the real world without an opportunity to refill magazine?

Just reciting the facts.

 

[WAB]

Another elegant upgrade from the No. 1 is a Bailey Bradshaw "Rising Block" in a traditional chambering. This is mine in 7x65R. It is long, lean, elegant, and extraordinarily accurate. It has been my favorite whitetail rifle for a while.
View attachment 575728
View attachment 575730

This is one of the most elegant rifles I have ever seen. Do I recall correctly that it is milled for Talley rings?

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

So let me tell you a story...two stories actually. One a miss and two a kill of whitetail deer. I was shooting a .375 H&H with a 300 grain Sierra Game King pushed hard. So both times when everything was settled and the deer was long gone or dead I found the gun to be loaded. One of the shells in my pocket was empty. I don't have any recollection of loading the gun. I was so focused on the game that I reloaded the gun without conscious effort.
I can shoot an Encore pretty quick too, but I can at least remember plucking the shells.

Soon after I got my 375 H&H Ruger No1 some years ago Gary amd I were out after mountain reedbuck on the farm in the Eastern Cape. You creep to the edge of a krans and peer over and sometimes they are on the slope about 50 metres below. This was the case on this day and I took a shot and missed. The buck shot off to the left to crest a nearby ridge and before it got there I got off the second running shot. I have no recollection of the reload either, but it shocked me how fast it must have happened.