This rifle got into my hands and I made the mistake of sitting on the store's comfortable seat with it. It's not flashy figured wood, just a nice dark/light contrast and the checkering is a step above standard. 22" of barrel is my minimum desired, 24" even better, especially single shots with shorter OAL of whole rifle.
I normally am not that enamored with open sights but this rifle wears them well, if not the best for the chambering [a .243 Win deserves a scope].
I talk a lot about 358 Winchester being one of my very favorite rounds, and it is POSSIBLE this rifle may become one. A gunsmith friend is very good at milling the extractor relief in Ruger single shot barrel faces. I've always thought the Ruger #1A or B should be made in .250 Savage, another favorite of mine, but I'm already equipped with a Ruger 77 MII that shoots better than I can see even with a scope [Shilen barrel, not factory].
Just thinking out loud. IF this becomes a .358 Win project I will want these Ruger open sights on it as well, and probably a 24" barrel just to make it an odd ball between #1A and #1B guns. My 77MII has a 24" barrel and I've been happy with it even screwed onto the longer bolt action it's on. 24" on a #1A should be handy enough.