#1 in .348 Winchester?

Help Support Ruger Forum:

smith1961

Blackhawk
Joined
Sep 11, 2008
Messages
596
Location
Massachusetts
In the December 17 issue of Rifle's Handloader, R.H. Vandenberg Jr wrote about the .348 Winchester.
He claimed to have been told that Ruger once chambered the #1 in .348 Winchester. I have a Browning 71 and this is supposed to have been the only rifle ever chambered in that caliber (Beside the original Winchester M71's) Sounds like a mythical beast to me.
 

wunbe

Buckeye
Joined
May 19, 2002
Messages
1,240
Location
Reston VA USA
The "friends of Bill" often got '1-ofs' from the factory and there may even have been a prototype or three but no run was ever made AFAIK.

Nor will ever be... given the realities of low demand, the better option of the familiar 45-70, and scarce to nonexistent commercial ammo availability.

That is a dead horse if ever there was one.

wunbe
 

grobin

Blackhawk
Joined
Mar 8, 2016
Messages
846
When I was in Alaska in the '60s I remember meeting an aleut guide that used a model 71 as a backup gun. It was a weird top ejector and dieing even then although popular with some of the Alaska hunters. You could definitely chamber a No 1 for it easily, but why? There are lots of modern cartridges that are superior and while brass and bullets are available a quick check doesn't turn up any factory loads.
 

021

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Messages
235
Location
Georgia
grobin said:
When I was in Alaska in the '60s I remember meeting an aleut guide that used a model 71 as a backup gun. It was a weird top ejector and dieing even then although popular with some of the Alaska hunters. You could definitely chamber a No 1 for it easily, but why? There are lots of modern cartridges that are superior and while brass and bullets are available a quick check doesn't turn up any factory loads.


Many of us #1 collectors aren't necessarily interested in new cartridges. A big old cigar like the 300 H and H or a 450/400 NE are classics in the #1, I think the 348 would be too. Lots of us geezers with model 71's would love a companion piece to go along with our Winchesters, I bet a run of 250 would be gone pronto, especially if they put good lumber on them. But, alas, Wunbe is probably right, it's a pipe dream. Well, I can dream...….
 

wunbe

Buckeye
Joined
May 19, 2002
Messages
1,240
Location
Reston VA USA
If you really want one it is achievable w/o waiting for and begging Ruger.

Have a #1 rebarreled or, less expensively, rebored and rechambered. ( Al Siegrist in MI is a master at the latter.)

I have had a dozen or so done to my requirements over the years -- including custom rifles in 6.8 spc II, 9.3x62, 338-06, 257 Roberts AI, 338 Federal, .338 Federal, .41mag, and a .35 Whelen in a 1S profile (the way Ruger should have made them.).

wunbe
 

mohavesam

Hawkeye
Joined
Jan 4, 2004
Messages
5,847
Location
Rugerville, AZ
I had an Atkinson barrel mounted on a No. 3 back in the 80's. It was 19" and shot like a dream. As a self-recognized fool, I traded it away...

Actually Cimarron retailed over 600 Uberti-made 1885-pattern single-shots (I have one) in 348 Winchester, so anyone who repeats the "M71 is the ONLY..." line is factually under-informed.

Favorite Adirondack bear cartridge/rifle, the M71. I own & shoot a couple still.
 

trapperon

Blackhawk
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
783
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Mohavesam--

In addition, C Sharps Arms not long ago offered the 348wcf in its 1885, 1875 and 1874 single shot rifles. They are pretty much a custom order shop but I am sure some went out the door!

Hornady recently added a 348 flex tip bullet as well as 348 brass casings to its line. I wish they would produce some actual ammo since they make and sell all the components.

Ron
 

HAWKEYE#28

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
4,441
Location
Near North Woods,MINN, USA
Sometimes.........the big issue with new calibers for the #1(in this case the 250 Savage) was the lack of available proof level ammunition, I was told by the CHQ Marketing Director. Eventually that was remedied and the 250 pc. run of Lipsey's SS #1A 250 Savages occurred.
 

smith1961

Blackhawk
Joined
Sep 11, 2008
Messages
596
Location
Massachusetts
wunbe said:
Have a #1 rebarreled or, less expensively, rebored and rechambered. ( Al Siegrist in MI is a master at the latter)

mohavesam said:
Actually Cimarron retailed over 600 Uberti-made 1885-pattern single-shots (I have one) in 348 Winchester, so anyone who repeats the "M71 is the ONLY..." line is factually under-informed.
Favorite Adirondack bear cartridge/rifle, the M71. I own & shoot a couple still.

trapperon said:
Mohavesam--

In addition, C Sharps Arms not long ago offered the 348wcf in its 1885, 1875 and 1874 single shot rifles. They are pretty much a custom order shop but I am sure some went out the door!
Hornady recently added a 348 flex tip bullet as well as 348 brass casings to its line. I wish they would produce some actual ammo since they make and sell all the components.

Ron

Wow! are you guys full of good intel! Thanks :D
BTW I scored 50 pieces of new Winchester brass from Tom Black, and picked up another 50 rounds of the Winchester 200gr factory silver tips from the late 80's so thats a start!
 

g5m

Blackhawk
Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Messages
520
Location
AZ desert
Regarding the brass, I wonder if Starline would do a run of 348 brass if enough people asked for it.
 

021

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Messages
235
Location
Georgia
HAWKEYE#28 said:
"Whisper" to Jason Cloesner at Lipsey's.......... 8)


Well, that's already been done. We can keep trying. Jason, while you're at it how about a 23" barrel in a 1S, never been done that I know of, either. Would make it even more unique.
 

trapperon

Blackhawk
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
783
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan
I really like the 23 inch suggestion! So blued/walnut 1S 23 inch 348WCF. About perfect!
I hope Jason can do it. He has never said "no" to me on this just "dont rule it out"

And I just picked up 400 hornady 200gr flat points in a local auction so I am ready to feed said rifle!!

Ron
 

021

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Messages
235
Location
Georgia
trapperon said:
I really like the 23 inch suggestion! So blued/walnut 1S 23 inch 348WCF. About perfect!
I hope Jason can do it. He has never said "no" to me on this just "dont rule it out"

And I just picked up 400 hornady 200gr flat points in a local auction so I am ready to feed said rifle!!

Ron

I have 27 Ruger No. 1's, but if they made that one with nice timber on it, it would be my dream rifle and I would have to have one......more...…..or...…. 2 ..…..
 

021

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jul 30, 2012
Messages
235
Location
Georgia
OH yes Jason, case hardened (like the hornet) with a RED PAD while we are dreaming. Maybe he's listening.....The No. 1 is, after all, a dream rifle.
 
Top