Would this Ruger No. 1 in 300 PRC be a good choice for Plains Game?

[SafariCurious]

Or would it be better to use a bolt action rifle that holds more than one shot? I do think the Ruger No.1 with stainless steel looks pretty cool, but it also costs more than a lot of other options.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/730008347/ruger+no.+1+sporter+.300+prc+single+shot+rifle

 

[shootist~]

How are you on recoil tolerance? Most 300 PRCs come with a threaded barrel for a reason, I believe.

 

[SafariCurious]

How are you on recoil tolerance? Most 300 PRCs come with a threaded barrel for a reason, I believe.

good point, I like my 375 Ruger, but I do use the muzzle break it came with

 

[JimP]

The recoil isn't going to be as much as the 375 Ruger since it shoots lighter bullets.

If you want it buy it, then put a suppressor onto it which will reduce the felt recoil and quiet it down. With the #1 being shorter than it's bolt action counterparts it would be ideal for a suppressor.

 

[PARA45]

I love Ruber No.1s, but not sure I'd be able to tolerate the recoil, and I wouldn't ruin the rifle by installing a muzzle break.

 

[rnovi]

A No. 1 is a fine rifle to use for PG. I took a Merkel K1 single shot in 7mm RM for my second safari and never felt slighted by it.

As to the PRC, I used a .300 H&H in a Pre-64 M70 on my first safari…there’s absolutely nothing not to love about a 180gr. Mono-metal at 3,000 fps.

 

[Bullthrower338]

No. 1 is a great rifle on a plains game safari, learn to shoot it and become proficient with it. I used a 300H&H on a trip and it accounted for 7 animals with 8 shots. With practice you can reload not much slower than most people shoot a bolt rifle.

 

[Doug3006]

That rifle/cartridge combination will be fine. I collected 5 animals in Namibia just a couple of months ago. I used a Ruger #1 chambered in 300 H&H for all of them. Springbok, Gemsbok, Hartebeest, Mountain Zebra and Leopard. One shot was all I needed. I have gotten pretty fast at reloading by using a wrist cartridge holder and practicing. Never needed a 2nd shot though. Your PRC shoots 210 grain bullets at 2,860 fps. My H&H shoots 200 grain bullets at 2,900 fps.

 

[wildwilderness]

I don't think I would choose a 300 PRC for a Ruger #1 but you do what gets you excited.

for me a 300 PRC is a long range cartridge, like hunting elk at 1000yds. Would definitely work though, a bit overkill I think, at least from recoil perspective. I guess if Eland, Kudu, Giraffe were the main targets bigger is better....

If I had a #1 for plains game I'd look for a 7x64mm, or a 9.3x62, 35 whelen, or just a 30-06, or a 280/270...

 

[ZG47]

The big question is ... what if you lose your ammunition? How would you replace it in Africa?

 

[ftrovato]

Or would it be better to use a bolt action rifle that holds more than one shot? I do think the Ruger No.1 with stainless steel looks pretty cool, but it also costs more than a lot of other options.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/730008347/ruger+no.+1+sporter+.300+prc+single+shot+rifle

I think that would be an excellent combination and wouldn't hesitate to use in on anything not dangerous with a good 200-220 grain bullet!

Thats what the PRC's are designed to do. Throw big for caliber bullets! Where better to do that than in Africa!

 

[mdwest]

The big question is ... what if you lose your ammunition? How would you replace it in Africa?

He’d go to a gun shop and buy more..

Numerous South African residents have posted in several threads here that 300 PRC is readily available there…

PHs in other African countries have said the same..

If you’re talking somewhere way off the beaten path like Ethiopia or the DRC, the same question could be asked about most calibers…

 

[mdwest]

How are you on recoil tolerance? Most 300 PRCs come with a threaded barrel for a reason, I believe.

This would be my biggest concern..

The #1 is already a somewhat recoil unfriendly design…

And the 300 PRC is a lively cartridge…

I absolutely love my Christensen 300 PRC… but there is nothing fun about shooting it without either the brake or a suppressor attached..

I would think shooting that cartridge from a #1 would be pretty miserable..

 

[JimP]

The big question is ... what if you lose your ammunition? How would you replace it in Africa?

I asked myself that same question about my 340 Weatherby, my answer was that I'd use the outfitters/PH rifle and ammo

 

[Rifleman97]

How are you on recoil tolerance? Most 300 PRCs come with a threaded barrel for a reason, I believe.

My shoulder can’t tell the difference between the win mag and PRC. I looked up the numbers and the PRC does recoil more, but I have shot both and if you blindfolded me I would not know which is which.

In my opinion PRC’s have brakes because they’re marketed at target shooters who are scared of any form of recoil lol

 

[mdwest]

In my opinion PRC’s have brakes because they’re marketed at target shooters who are scared of any form of recoil lol

Depends on the platform… my titanium 300 prc is marketed toward mountain shooters… it is very light for the caliber… the brake is an attempt to make up for about 18 ounces of missing weight.

 

[Rifleman97]

Depends on the platform… my titanium 300 prc is marketed toward mountain shooters… it is very light for the caliber… the brake is an attempt to make up for about 18 ounces of missing weight.

True but I’ve also seen 10+ pound 300 PRC’s with 3-5 port brakes. Also poking a bit of fun for the sake of it, less recoil is a big advantage in actual comp shooting since it makes spotting your own shots a lot easier. In your situation it also makes complete sense, tame recoil gains from losses in weight.

But for hunting in general… I’ll personally never own a hunting rifle with a brake. I literally make my living with my ears, and even with ear plugs in, brakes are unbearably loud to me. And I’m not willing to sacrifice performance in velocity or weight at this time (maybe that’ll change in the future), so a 26” barrel with a suppressor on the end is not for me, and a 16” barrel to get the weight down enough to make a suppressor make sense just loses too much velocity for me. I almost exclusively shoot heavy overbore magnums, where the FPS loss is felt a lot more in terms of FPS per inch of barrel due to the extreme slow burn rate of the powders I use.