Ruger No. 1 International

January 27, 2020, 07:43 PM

P-220

I have posted in the past, that I am infatuated with this rifle. I have a few questions regarding the International model.

1) Are there some years that are viewed as better than others?

2) Is there a particular caliber that is better suited for the shorter barrel?

3) Are the stainless models superior or inferior to the std. blue steel?

4) What type of accuracy can I expect, with a decent scope? Any recommendations?

As much as want to believe I will use it for hunting, the reality is that it will realistically be used to punch holes in a few targets from time to time.

As always, thank you to the brain trust here at SIGforum, for the wealth of knowledge you provide.

January 27, 2020, 09:49 PM

sigfreund

To this day I think the Ruger No. 1 International was the coolest rifle ever made.
But although I have owned a couple of No. 1s and a 10/22 with “Mannlicher” stock, never a No. 1 International. If I won the lottery and had the room for it, that would be one rifle hanging on the wall. It would also probably be chambered for one of the odd, thumper cartridges with a massive bore that would allow us to crawl down inside to inspect the rifling, and whose precision and accuracy would be immaterial to its overall awesomeness.

If you succumb to the temptation, please post its pictures here.

January 27, 2020, 10:15 PM

Kuisis

I think the largest caliber the International was made in was .30/06, not a real "thumper"

January 27, 2020, 10:36 PM

cas

quote:
Originally posted by P-220:
1) Are there some years that are viewed as better than others?

For the quality of Ruger rifle barrels in general, yes. But I don't recall the particulars off the top of my head. The newer ones being better supposedly.

2) Is there a particular caliber that is better suited for the shorter barrel?

Probably the smaller cased ones, in theory.

3) Are the stainless models superior or inferior to the std. blue steel?

IMO, inferior cosmetically, superior practically.

4) What type of accuracy can I expect, with a decent scope? Any recommendations?

"Hunting accuracy." They will never be "target rifles". My .243 is probably a 2 MOA gun at best, but that's with a low power scope on it. It no doubt would do better with more glass.

January 27, 2020, 11:39 PM

rburg

I think the caliber plays a big role in the scope you eventually end up with. Well, at least it is with me. An example would be my Browning B78.

I'm sensitive to scope bite. Have been since my first injury with a Remington and an off brand scope. It was a .270, and it maybe had an inch of relief. It didn't bite every shot, only when you got excited and forgot. Then entire combination was a POS. It was also the end of my romance with Remington. Never again.

Back to the B78, I found a 1-4x Leupould. It also featured about 4" of eye relief. What a bargain! Better still, it was inexpensive because no one wanted 1-4x, they needed 20x. Well, my rifle was 45-70 and I didn't want that. A situation where low magnification and "too much" eye relief was ideal. Generally you can mount the scope a bit forward to make it ideal.

So its probably a good idea to select your caliber before looking at scopes. For me, the heavy recoiling calibers dictate more eye relief. I once "stole" a BAR without a scope. Great gun, but it had 1" rings. At the next gun show a friend had a Zeiss 1-4.5 variable. My earlier experience with the 45-70 made me want to take the chance. The only problem was the scope was a 30mm. Not a big deal, I just bought new 30mm rings.

You go to the OGCA shows, look for a like new scope at the next one. Just be smarter than I was get rings and bases that match it. The examples I gave were for "woods" scopes. Things for old men who don't see so good anymore and aren't for shooting into the next county.

January 28, 2020, 01:21 AM

Il Cattivo

quote:
Originally posted by Kuisis:
I think the largest caliber the International was made in was .30/06, not a real "thumper"

You can find them in 9.3x74R online, FWIW.

January 28, 2020, 05:04 AM

nukeandpave

I have one in .270. It tends to string vertically as the barrel heats up.

January 28, 2020, 01:17 PM

YellowJacket

Ruger barrels were made by (dates approximate):
Douglas barrels 1967 - 1973
Wilson barrels 1973 - 1991
Ruger barrels 1991 - Present

From what I know, Douglas barrels were consistently good barrels. Wilson was more inconsistent... might get a great one, maybe not. Red butt pads are also particularly adored because red butt pads are beautiful.

For caliber, obviously something is doesn't need 24" to burn it's powder. No magnums. If it were me, it'd be a 7x57.

Stainless... bleh to look at but probably better if it's going to be abused. I doubt I'll ever own a showpiece rifle in stainless/laminate, though.

All of them should be plenty accurate for medium game hunting at 0-300 yards. 2 MOA about the norm, I think.

January 28, 2020, 03:25 PM

Kuisis

quote:
Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
You can find them in 9.3x74R online, FWIW.

I never saw the International model in that caliber, I have a Tropical in 416 Rigby .

January 28, 2020, 03:51 PM

YellowJacket

Lipsey's currently has No 1 Internationals in 257 Bob, 6.5x55, and 308 Win.

January 28, 2020, 04:02 PM

cee_Kamp

I had a stainless/laminate Ruger 1H Tropical in
.375 H & H. Beautiful rifle and quite accurate.
4-12 VX II Leupold on it. Recoil was nasty!
Sold the #1 and got a 1st generation Rem 700 XCR in .375 H & H. The synthetic stocked 700 is a bit less recoil. Must be stock flex that makes the difference, weights were similar.
Did you know a .375 H & H with a 260-270 grain spire point boat tail projectile shoots as flat as a 150 grain spire point projectile in a .308 Win out to about 300 yards? That's a reasonable self imposed maximum range while hunting.
That .375 load has more energy at 300 yards than the .308 has at the muzzle.
And the .375 has about double the energy at the muzzle.

January 28, 2020, 05:40 PM

PGT

I bought an RSI this time last near; never knew it existed.

at the shop:

I didn't buy it on the spot but once I realized how hard they were to find, I drove back down 5hrs round trip a couple days later.

I bought a Galco sling for it and a spare front sling loop (they come black!) and polished and waxed it to match.

I also found a rare "basket weave" 10/22 International (only made in black action) and a spare 10/22 in stainless and swapped it over.

January 28, 2020, 06:26 PM

P-220

Thank you all for the information and pics. That is absolutely one beautiful rifle!!!!

January 28, 2020, 08:44 PM

armored

quote:
Originally posted by cee_Kamp:
I had a stainless/laminate Ruger 1H Tropical in
.375 H & H. Beautiful rifle and quite accurate.
4-12 VX II Leupold on it. Recoil was nasty!
Sold the #1 and got a 1st generation Rem 700 XCR in .375 H & H. The synthetic stocked 700 is a bit less recoil. Must be stock flex that makes the difference, weights were similar.
Did you know a .375 H & H with a 260-270 grain spire point boat tail projectile shoots as flat as a 150 grain spire point projectile in a .308 Win out to about 300 yards? That's a reasonable self imposed maximum range while hunting.
That .375 load has more energy at 300 yards than the .308 has at the muzzle.
And the .375 has about double the energy at the muzzle.

I mounted a Primary Arms 1-6 scope with the ACSS retical on my Weatherby Mark V DGR chambered in 375 Weatherby, It will also shoot 375 H&H magnums. The retical is set up for 308.
As you stated the 308 and the 375 have about the same trajectory except the 375 is throwing bullets 100+ grains heavier.

January 28, 2020, 08:46 PM

Killer Instincts

PGT, that is a gorgeous little carbine!

January 28, 2020, 09:24 PM

Il Cattivo

quote:
Originally posted by Kuisis:
quote:
Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
You can find them in 9.3x74R online, FWIW.

I never saw the International model in that caliber, I have a Tropical in 416 Rigby .

Yeah, see, there's some doubt in my mind as to whether the 9.3 really qualifies as a "thumper" (thus the "FWIW"), but there can be no such doubt about the .416 Rigby.

January 28, 2020, 09:47 PM

rburg

A Ruger with decent wood! Who'd a thunk it possible.

January 30, 2020, 02:24 PM

muzzleloader

Always wanted one in 7x57. Passed one up years ago for $500. Must’ve needed diapers or formula or gas at the time. Screwed up priorities

February 01, 2020, 01:15 PM

Bigboreshooter

I've owned several Ruger RSI's over the years, but only one of them was a No. 1, the others were M77RSI's

My No. 1 RSI in 7x57 was always plenty accurate enough for my needs with sub 1.5" groups with loads it liked.

And it always held up its end of the bargain in the field.

sawmill grill

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bigboreshooter,