A couple of Rugers

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Wed, 2011-10-05 12:05

#11

COMeatHunter

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Posts: 519

I've got a #1

I have a #1 in .338 Win Mag. I bought it from a friend a couple of years ago. It shoots OK to about 300 yards, but I was imagining it would be a longer distance gun pushing 500 yards. I don't think it's realistic for this gun to shoot that far with good accuracy. But it sure is a beautiful gun.

Funny thing is, I've never taken it into the field. It has been in the rig as a backup gun for elk, but I just can't seem to take anything but my "crappy" old Remington 760 into the field hunting with me. I've hunted with that gun since I was 14 (going on 30 years now) and it fits me, or I fit it, really well.

Tue, 2011-10-04 18:31

#12

Don Fischer

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Location: Antelope, Ore

Joined: 03/24/2005

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I dreamed of having a #1 Standard model since they first came out. Was only intrested in one in 25-06. Finally found it in a gus store in Longmont, Colo about 1978. $265 brand new. But when I picked it up, the dream went south. Don't know why? had my chance and didn't seise it!

Wed, 2011-10-05 14:34

#13

Critter

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Location: Western Colorado

Joined: 03/26/2009

Posts: 3359

Ruger makes a fine firearm

Ruger makes a fine firearm but if you want to make it into a tack driver it will take some work. They design and build them to be a hunting firearm and they work real well that way.

I purchased a Ruger #1 in .22-250 thirty or so years ago and no matter what I tried the best group that I could get at 100 yards was about the size of a quarter. Then I read a article about playing around with the tension on the forearm screw. I tightened it and I loosened it, I used this reload and that reload, I also used a lot of factory rounds through it. Then I found the combination. That rifle now will shoot a sub MOA group at 100 hards and it only opens up to MOA at 400 yards. I haven't touched that forearm screw since I found the sweet spot years ago.

Wed, 2011-10-05 15:56

#14

COMeatHunter

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Posts: 519

Huh, might have to try that

After all the hunting is over for the year I might have to try that with mine. Not sure how much tinkering I really want to do with it--even if it does end up shooting well to 500 yards I probably wouldn't take that shot anyway. But it would be cool to go to the range are really shoot the lights out with it too.

Thanks for the tip.

Wed, 2011-10-05 18:30

#15

Critter

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Location: Western Colorado

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If you decide to try it start

If you decide to try it start with a load that is already grouping well on paper. Then adjust the forearm screw a little at a time. I found that my #1 liked it a little on the loose side but not so loose that is causes other problems. With a high recoiling rifle like a .338 it would be better to be on the tight side than the loose side and with it being a hunting rifle you won't want any problems out in the field.

Wed, 2011-10-05 22:44

#16

COMeatHunter

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Posts: 519

Locktite?

Ya, too loose would not be good in the field. And it does kick like a mule which might make it hard to keep the screw in the right position. Don't know if one could get some Locktite in there without making a mess on the stock. I'll have to look at it closer sometime this winter.

Still a great tip. Thanks again.

Thu, 2011-10-06 11:19

#17

Mooselator

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Joined: 07/31/2011

Posts: 33

TOO LOOSE

I just came across a Ruger M77 with a loose recoil lug screw. Not pretty. It was a 30-06 and the stock had split just to the right of the tang, but also across the grain on the right side of the stock just behind the recoil lug. The issue is, Ruger uses a screw that inserts at a forward angle instead of the traditional 90 degrees into the recoil lug. It pounds that stock with recoil if that screw is loose. Believe me, I learned the hard way and it ended up costing me $$$$$. Ruger specs that the screw be torqued to 95 inch lbs (8 ft lbs). Leave it there and it will shoot. an 1 1/2 group is still a minute of elk (MOE).

Wed, 2011-10-05 19:04

#18

Tndeerhunter

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Location: Tennessee

Joined: 04/13/2009

Posts: 1072

Well, we are also talking

Well, we are also talking about a .338 mag and elk and not a 22-.250 and what..... prairie dogs? We all have to remember what kind of accuracy we want for what animal and what cartridge. I'd feel fine with a 2" group at 100 yards with my 45-70 since it won't be used over 200 yards for big game. Fact is, it's about 1/2 that and is a perfectly capable rifle for the ranges for what it's meant to be used at.

Wed, 2011-10-05 20:06

#19

Critter

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Location: Western Colorado

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That is where I was saying

That is where I was saying that if he does decide to try and tweek the accuracy to not create another problem with a too loose screw. I also agree that on most hunting rifles a 1"-1 1/2" grouping at 100 yards is acceptable.

Thu, 2011-10-06 10:31

#20

Tndeerhunter

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Location: Tennessee

Joined: 04/13/2009

Posts: 1072

target shooting

Of course a lot of fine tuning could get pretty tedious with either a .338WM or the 45-70 in the #1, I'd say. LOL.

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