Ruger #1 in 9.3x74

Help Support Ruger Forum:

Fred M

Bearcat
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
84
Location
Calgary Canada
Just aquired a new Ruger #1 in 9.3x74. I have been looking for one for a long time. Now that I have one I like to hear what you have to say about it.

Better yet do you own one, do you hand load it?
At present I have a box of Noma 282gr Orix factory loads.

I scoped it with a Burris Signature scope 3-9 in the Ruger
rings which adds about 1.5lbs to the rifle Total weight is
now 8.75lbs.
 

BlkHawk73

Hunter
Joined
Dec 30, 1999
Messages
4,460
Location
Maine
Keep looking at one but can't jump just yet. Recoil...I'm a little guy. Ammo...availability (not thatI'd shoot it a lot). Have to wait and see.
 

Bigboreshooter

Single-Sixer
Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
447
Location
Birmingham, AL
Hi Fred,

I have a No. 1 in 9.3x74R and love it. There are a couple of others around here who also have this gun.

I haven't bloodied it yet, but will probably get to try it out on a whitetail in the next couple of months. Though I originally started out with a Burris 4x Short Mag scope on it, I replaced it with a Burris 2-7x35 Fullfield II.

I have shot RWS 285gr factory ammo as well as handloads with the 286gr Hornady bullet and the Speer 270gr semi-spitzer. Both handloads are in the 2,300 fps range according to the book, but I have not check them with a chrono.

It has been a solid 1.5" gun with all the ammo I have tried. Certainly plenty of accuracy for this gun's range. My best groups are a little under an inch with the Speer bullets.

It definitely shoots flatter than a 45-70 being only a couple of inches low at 200 yards when sighted in 2" high at 100.

P1010083-2.jpg


P1010122.jpg


DSCN1143.jpg
 

Fred M

Bearcat
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
84
Location
Calgary Canada
Bigboreshooter.
Thanks for the reply. I had several scopes available but thought the extra little weight was of benefit. The Burris Signature is the one with Posi Lock in 3-9 and has an electro dot. Its a heavy scope had it for a long time.

It only toke 4 shots to sight in 2.5" high at 100. The rifle responded to the scope clicks perfectly so I did not shoot any groups since I only got one box of Norma 282gr Oryx. From the way the rifle reponded I think it shoots under one inch.

The recoil is not bad I am taking it out in a couple of days and see if I can bag a doe, still got two tags.
I had a chance to buy a 45-70 #1 but thought the 9.3 is a better choice. I should have taking my Chrony out but it was pretty cold and did not feel like playing around.

I may even get a chance at a moose this week. I am in on a moose hunt. I ordered a 9.3x74R last year but never got one after waiting several month, so I caneled
the order. This one came up on a chance and was the only one they had.

In the near future I go to the US and round up some reloading supplies and dies.
 

Bigboreshooter

Single-Sixer
Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
447
Location
Birmingham, AL
I found RCBS dies without any trouble, and laid in a supply of Hornady brass and bullets from Hornady & Speer. I've been using IMR 4064, but there are several good loads listed for other readily available powders as well. The long tapered case is an absolute JOY to reload. :lol:
 

TnTnTn

Single-Sixer
Joined
Sep 27, 2009
Messages
113
Location
TN
Bloodied my 9.3 this am on an old old buck. I think the deer was only slightly younger than me! :lol: Anyway I hope it is the first of many as I love the rifle and caliber-and have only had it about 6 weeks. 270g Speer over varget, about 110 yards, Texas heart shot, bullet recovered! weighing 222.5g. TnTnTn

1125090821a.jpg
 

Fred M

Bearcat
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
84
Location
Calgary Canada
Since the close of hunting seaso I reduced the trigger weight from 4.5lbs to 30oz on my new 9.3x74R.
I also skeletonized the hammer to speed up ignition ala Moulds.

The trigger pull is a joy now, no more excuse to jerk the trigger again. Check now how well it will shoot when it gets a bit warmer. Mery Christmas to all.
 

Coogs

Maximum
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
1,175
Location
Northwestern Pa.
Love mine! Always wanted a "big bore" Type rifle, have lots a 45-70's, but nothin' I would have loaded up. I'm using a 270 gr. sierra hot cor and 53 grs. of...................well, some kinda powder. I load too much and I'm gettin' old! Can't remeber. But it is makin' real small <1.5" groups @ 100. Have mine topped with a leoupold 1.5 - 5 vari X III. Nice thing about the cartridge is ya can load it down to less than an '06 and up almost as much as a .375 mag. Midway had everything ya needed 30 days ago. That is when I got all my stuff. Redding dies and a pretty decent variety of bullets. Coogs.
 

63November

Single-Sixer
Joined
Oct 20, 2003
Messages
249
Location
Alaska (63 North, 162 West)
I just had mine out today to check zero after exchanging the factory Rugers - mediums- for the classy Leupold lows. They place the Weaver 2.5 just above the folding rear sight and bring the scope to my eye a bit more readily.

Our winter moose season opens in about 10 days so I plan to have the 9.3 ready with 286 Hornadys in case I decide to use the #1 instead of the yet-untested M77 358 Norma. I suspect either will work on moose though neither has proven that exact detail - yet.

The 9.3 worked well on this old girl though:

IMG_04733.JPG


BTW Blackhawk73, the 9.3X74 does not belt one near as much as you might expect. If you can manage 30-06, then the 9.3 #1-S should suit you also. It is one of the truly perfect #1 packages IMO; the #1-S is nice handling to start; the 22" barrel only improves on that. The rifle has a bit more heft than a #1-A which makes the added recoil of the bigger case and bullets quite moderate; and the long cased 74R feeds so easily whether with a scope of without. I highly recommend the pairing of the #1 with the old classic 9.3x74R.
 

Bigboreshooter

Single-Sixer
Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
447
Location
Birmingham, AL
andylate":35ut0xnu said:
Hey, BigBore

I'm curious why you replaced the Short Mag scope?

Andy

I liked the Short Mag 4x fine. I thought it complimented the rifle well. But, I had the 2x-7x laying around and thought it seemed like a logical choice as well, given the range capabilities of this cartridge.

I liked the idea of having 2x for "up close and personal" stuff, and 7x helps my tired old eyes when the range gets out close to 200 yards.

I think a 1x-4x or a 1.5x-5x would be just about ideal as well.
 

Latest posts

Top