My Ruger #1
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2024 11:06 pm
A year ago, I bought a Ruger #1 in 45-70. A gentleman had custom built this gun with a heavy 30" octagon barrel and a Malcome 6X scope. Since my purchase I have had several opportunities to fire this fine gun. Friday was my latest excursion. I had two loads, one with 5744 and the other with Swiss 1.5. Both used the Lee 405 hollow base and both used the bullets sized to .459 and lubed with SPG.
From a bench, I was able to consistently put all shots into a single ragged hole at 100 yards. Black or smokeless it didn't matter. With Black, I held strings to 5 shots and blow tubed between shots. for the 5744 loads, I shot 10 consecutive shots at a stretch.
This is as good as I can shoot. I'm 68 with poor maculas in both eyes. The crosshairs are wavy. I just try to be consistent with the wiggles. To my way of thinking, the #1 is an exceptionally good platform.
Later that morning I also shot my rebuilt and rebarrelled 1944 M1 Garand. Here, my bad maculas don't seem to be an issue. I can shoot a steady 2-3" at 100 yards using Korean PMC surplus ammo.
My only gripe is that the Angeles Range is becoming increasingly unfriendly to shooters and expensive. The Senior rate is $22.50 per day. Now we have show ID and jump through hoops just to shoot. Not fun.
From a bench, I was able to consistently put all shots into a single ragged hole at 100 yards. Black or smokeless it didn't matter. With Black, I held strings to 5 shots and blow tubed between shots. for the 5744 loads, I shot 10 consecutive shots at a stretch.
This is as good as I can shoot. I'm 68 with poor maculas in both eyes. The crosshairs are wavy. I just try to be consistent with the wiggles. To my way of thinking, the #1 is an exceptionally good platform.
Later that morning I also shot my rebuilt and rebarrelled 1944 M1 Garand. Here, my bad maculas don't seem to be an issue. I can shoot a steady 2-3" at 100 yards using Korean PMC surplus ammo.
My only gripe is that the Angeles Range is becoming increasingly unfriendly to shooters and expensive. The Senior rate is $22.50 per day. Now we have show ID and jump through hoops just to shoot. Not fun.