Scope opinions for a Ruger No.1 International?

[Trogon]

The rifle of the subject matter is a stainless Ruger No. 1 chambered in 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser with a 20" barrel. I've placed two different Leupold scopes on it that I had available.
First scope was a Leupold VX-2, 3x-9x by 40mm, brushed nickel finish. Length is about 12.5". My overall impression was the scope was oversized to the gun. I like the finish being more similar to the stainless steel of the receiver and barrel.
Second scope was a Leupold FX-2, 6-power fixed by 36mm, about 11", matte black finish. Smaller and more fitting to my eye in size to the rifle, plus not being a variable I didn't have to shift my cheek hold on the rifle stock as when using the former scope at different powers. Don't care for the mix of matte black of the scope with the stainless of the rifle, I know it's just cosmetic and doesn't affect performance, but this is the most expensive rifle I've bought and want it to look "just right".
Current scope offerings are pretty sparse for brushed nickel/ dull gray metal from all of the vendors I've dug

through, so likely looking for used scopes now, but not sure what to look for. Recommendations/advice are really appreciated.
Nice shooting rifle. Doesn't seem to hate any factory ammo outright that I've tried it with after intial sight-in with the Leupold 3x-9x scope. For fun to shoot rifles I'll put it behind my Marlinn 1894 in .357 Rem Mag; handles well and seems to point naturally. I plan on using this rifle for my Kentucky deer stand hunting this year

 

[Forrest Halley]

The sights are blued and the butt pad is black. Why worry about the scope being matte black? Shoot and enjoy
I agree with you about the big silver scope. It does look overbearingly large. Maybe you can use QD mounts and split the difference?

 

[flatwater bill]

Matte finished scopes look great with SS rifles.......I like the contrast, and their is no mismatch like many brushed alum scopes show......36mm is exactly the right size for this rifle too, IMO. That leaves you with few choices.....one of which is the 6X you already own, a new Leupold 2.5-8 for about $300 or an older Zeiss 3-9 (one of which is for sale on this site). Best of luck. Great rifle.................FWB

 

[CAustin]

The VX2 you already have is what I would put on the rifle! I have one just like it on my Ruger M77 Compact 308. It has a 16” barrel and the combo works great.

 

[rookhawk]

Stop!

Don’t buy rings.

Take your oem rings and send them to Ruger for exchange.

For no charge, they’ll send you stainless offset rings in 1“ or 30mm, significantly simplifying your issues.

 

[Trogon]

Everyone, thanks for your thoughts on these scopes.
I have a set of blued rings from a Mini-14 sold last year, that I've used to try the FX-2, but they're gloss and not matte finished (no big deal for now).
I have a T/C Encore rifle with a stainless receiver, both barrels I use with it are blued, so I am used to the mix and match look (not my preference but wanted the calibers they're in).

 

[rookhawk]

Problem 1 - you can’t use most scopes on a #1 because of eye relief.

Problem 2 - matchy-matchy aesthetics


Cure problem 1 with stainless offset rings, then you can buy a used Zeiss conquest in stainless and it will work!

 

[Tango]

I have 3 No 1s and find the Leupold 1.5-5 is the scope for that rifle when you consider the eye relief/mount positions inherent with the No 1. I run mine in low Leupold matte rings. No issues with loading or ejection.

 

[Trogon]

rookhawk, scope placement in the rings for the VX-2 is not optimal (I have it set right now at 3X).
After trying the 3x-9x scope I understand why so many complaints on gun forum threads for Ruger No. 1 rifles.
The FX-2, I was able to position exactly where needed in the rings on the receiver for proper eye relief.
Honestly, on my deer lease 100 yards would be a long shot, so the fixed power 6X meets my needs for distance.

 

[sgt_zim]

I have 3 No 1s and find the Leupold 1.5-5 is the scope for that rifle when you consider the eye relief/mount positions inherent with the No 1. I run mine in low Leupold matte rings. No issues with loading or ejection.

Agreed, 1.5-5 is an excellent choice, as would be Leupold's 1-4, 1-5, and 2-7. Unless you're hand-loading and really goosing your ammo, this is a medium-range cartridge. I prefer a wide FOV to high magnification for this arrangement. To my eye, this rifle is begging for Lapua 155, Norma 156, or Woodleigh 160 - I see brush gun when I look at that rifle, same way I see brush gun when I look at a 45-70 or 444 Marlin. YMMV.

 

[Trogon]

Agreed, 1.5-5 is an excellent choice, as would be Leupold's 1-4, 1-5, and 2-7. Unless you're hand-loading and really goosing your ammo, this is a medium-range cartridge. I prefer a wide FOV to high magnification for this arrangement. To my eye, this rifle is begging for Lapua 155, Norma 156, or Woodleigh 160 - I see brush gun when I look at that rifle, same way I see brush gun when I look at a 45-70 or 444 Marlin. YMMV.

Agree on the smaller power scopes. My Marlin levers in .30-30, .35 Remington and .45-70 all carry the Leupold or Redfield 2x-7x by 33, have not swapped off one of those to try on the Ruger. Factory ammo pick right now is the Norma 156 gr Oryx load.

 

[Tango]

The steel Leupold rings keep the 1.5-5 scope nice and low. This one is 7x57, one of my favorites.

 

[Trogon]

View attachment 303269

The steel Leupold rings keep the 1.5-5 scope nice and low. This one is 7x57, one of my favorites.

I noticed J&G Sales has the VX-3i 1.5-5 x 20mm Leupold scope for $321, substantially less than other venues. Interesting....I may have to consider this one seriously. Thanks for posting your photo.

 

[Tango]

That seems very fair priced. Great scopes. The lack of obj bell on that scope gives you a lot of eye relief room to play with around the rear sight.

 

[leslie hetrick]

i have found that 1.5x4-20 just doesn,t do good early in the morning or late day shooting. I have had to let a very good buck go as I could not see it well enough for a shot early in the morning. on my ruger# 1 in 35 whelen. I have since mounted a 2.5x8-36 on it and it,s much better in poor light conditions.

 

[Trogon]

The VX2 you already have is what I would put on the rifle! I have one just like it on my Ruger M77 Compact 308. It has a 16” barrel and the combo works great.

Well, I'll be taking the Ruger No.1 International shooting tomorrow with the FX-2, 6 power to the shooting field by our lease tomorrow. I did purchase a Leupold VX-3i 1.5-5x by 20 mm which just showed up today but the matte 1" rings did not, otherwise I'd bring both scopes to compare. The glass clarity is noticeably better on the VX-3i than the FX-2 to my eyes. I took both scopes outside right after sunset and looked through the brush/trees at the back of the yard.
I have Norma 156 gr Oryx, Geco 156 gr Teilmantel, Sako 156 gr Deerhead and Lapua 155 gr Mega cartridges, the most accurate will be my pick for November rifle season.

 

[Trogon]

That seems very fair priced. Great scopes. The lack of obj bell on that scope gives you a lot of eye relief room to play with around the rear sight.

I agree. The distance between the eyebell and the turrets are nearly identical between the FX-2 and VX-3i, so scope placement in regular Ruger rings should be a non-issue with the VX-3i.

 

[BobT]

A bit late to the party here but you can get almost any Leupold offering in a silver finish, just order it through the custom shop. I wanted a gloss finish 2.5-8 for my .375 and went this route.

 

[Trogon]

A bit late to the party here but you can get almost any Leupold offering in a silver finish, just order it through the custom shop. I wanted a gloss finish 2.5-8 for my .375 and went this route.

BobT, thanks for that tip. That thought never crossed my mind. I think I'll take your advice and contact them to see pricing.

 

[rookhawk]

Three examples of what and how to get ruger no 1 models to work with scopes: