Less Expensive---rebarrel or rechamber a Ruger No. 1?

Hi All! My buddy is wanting a Ruger No. 1 in 7x64. Knowing that Ruger never made one in that caliber, what would be less expensive to buy a donor rifle in a smaller caliber and rechamber and drill out the barrel or to just buy a donor rifle in any caliber and rebarrel it?

Also, any recommendations on a good gunsmith who could do the work?

TIA!

For chamber modification of existing rifle, consider the rate of twist

I don't know what any of the stock Ruger barrels feature for twist rate, but it'll be good to look at that first and see if they're compatible with the goals that your friend has with the 7x64

I have a NO 1 and a NO 3 with two barrels for each of different calibers. Barrels were produced by Douglas Barrel Co. Only part change out is for the extractor. NO 1 has a barrel for 22-250 and one for 348 Winchester. NO. 3 has a barrel for 45-70 Gov't and one for 6mm BR caliber. Both rifles regardless of caliber shoot very well indeed and overall have something on the order of $600 in the entire project. Finished this project some years ago and give Douglas a call for current pricing structure. Just a suggestion.

I agree with FlyingZebra about trying to start with a rifle with the correct bore (caliber) and twist rate. I had two No.1 conversions that took years and two different smiths to get them right. Other important considerations IF you go with a new barrel:
1- possible supply chain disruptions (my custom revolver build was modified because builder couldn't acquire material for a new barrel or cylinder),.. may not be the same for you, but when you find a builder, he'll let you know "then"
2- it's better if the barrel contour of new barrel match the donor stock and sights you want to use. Don't expect a new barrel to work with your existing donor gun unless you're guaranteed it will fit. Determine that in advance because, otherwise, it will add complication, time, expense, and some frustration. Been there, done that!
3- don't take your open / iron sights for granted. This can't be taken for granted for two reasons: barrel contour and available rear and front sight height combinations for the cartridge and load you want to shoot. Regulating sight height for my new cartridge ended up being my biggest problem because my donor gun (a 45-70) had a factory setup and barrel contour that just was not going to work with my new cartridge.

So,.. start with a donor gun with caliber and twist rate that is already very close to what you're changing to. (This is good general advice for any conversion.). Determine how you want to sight it. If all you want is a scope, then this will be much easier. The No.1 is short and can be well-balanced, so determine barrel length and changes to the donor gun so the end result balances well.

EDIT: by relationship between sights and barrel contour, I was referring to available sights being adapted to the new contour without excessive modification to fit that contour shape. NECG offers the best, IMO. Everything is possible, but my point is to take care with choices to keep cost and build time down. Plenty of smiths will take on a job, but take two years to complete it, and sometimes it's all the little stuff that can take up all the extra time.

Is it cheaper to sell and buy one in the caliber you want? Maybe a couple hundred difference rather than 600.

I don't think that there's a factory 7x64 or 7mm Brennbeke No.1

If there is - that's what I'd do
Sell existing and buy the factory gun

There's the 7x57, but they'd have to set the barrel back in order to clean up the 7mm Mauser chamber

280 would clean up the 7x57 -- but the question has to do with 7x64

Why 7x64?
Is it for horsepower, or is it for vanity?
280 will provide the power and would get a (factory) 7x57 running hotter by way of a chamber cutting job.
It'll also allow the rifle to go hunting in places where the 7x57 (or other military cartridges) are forbidden for hunting.

"Why 7x64?
Is it for horsepower, or is it for vanity?"

I think that's a good question. Ruger has made rifles chambered to the .280 Remington which for all practical purposes is ballistically the same as the 7x64. Both can up to a point use the same load data, just being careful when approaching maximum loads.

I have the 7x57 Mauser and a .280 Rem. I have heard rumors though that Ruger may have done an uncateloged run of 7x64s for the European market.

Paul B.

I've had three No 1 rifles re-barreled. I am a bit of a 35 Rem nut. I always wanted a No 1 in 35 Rem and got tired of waiting for Ruger to make one. My first project was buying a new RSI in 7x57, the second was a uses K-1B 270, both of these were re-barreled to 35 Rem. I had them contoured to match the factory profile so no stock work was necessary. The third was a 375 H&H re-barrelled to 454 Casull Mag. By re-barrelling I was able to specify the twist rate. I also didn't want barrels that had the caliber re-stamped.

I don't know the cost of re-chambering but each of these was in the $700-$800 (7-10 years ago) range plus the donor rifle. All shoot very well and I have not had any problems with extractors or sights. The RSI and the 454 had factory sights, bought from Brownells, installed. I shoot all of them with scopes so can't comment on how accurate the sights are, I only had them re-installed for aesthetics.

I had these done by McGowen's Precision Barrels.

If I ever wanted to re-install the original barrels I could.

My favorite "Franken" gun. I took the 7x57 barrel and had it installed in a No 3 action that I rescued from a badly abused 22 Hornet. Then I replaced the No 3 wood (badly damaged and looked like it was repaired with Gorilla Glue) with new RSI wood. I guess it is a No 2 RSI with factory Ruger barrel. This one also shoots great. I found a stock that somebody had shortened to 11.5" LOP so I can let the grand-kids use it.

Good luck with what ever you decide. I would go with re-barreling. Either way it isn't cheap, so If you are going to spend the money get what you want.

Thanks for all your comments. I'll pass them along to my friend!

SSK does excellent work and will attach the quarter rib and factory sights back on it.
The 7x64 offers no advantage over the 280, but I looked far and wide to get a 77 chambered as such and it does have a certain cool factor.

Using a 7x57 #1 as a 'donor'?? Last I heard, those were about as valuable a a showroom condition 1955 Vette.