The 300 Win Mag and 7mm Rem Mag were cataloged from 1973 till 1978. There might be as many as 300 of each and as few as 200. They were brought out when rifle silhouette first hit the USA but Ruger took long enough to bring them out, that by the time they were available, the sanctioning body had already outlawed belted mags due to target damage. They really are too much gun for serious varminting. That said either will hit a coyote out there where he's not used to being shot at.
Apparently there were some barrels on hand because I have seen both the 7mm Mag "V" and the 300 Win Mag "V" in rifles that were assembled and shipped in 1984 with all 1984 features except the barrel.
One of my 7mm Mag "V" letters to 1984.
The EASIEST way to solve the scoping problem is to simply have your smith drill the center set of holes that Ruger started using for scope blocks about 1976-1977.
The earliest "V" 1970 on had two set of scope block holes, 7 1/2 inches apart and were designed for after market scope blocks, Unertl, Redfield, Lyman and others in conjunction with the old long style target/varmint scope.
They later added another set of holes 3 1/2 from the rear set next to the receiver and started supplying Ruger scope blocks that use Ruger rings so you could use a more modern short tube scope.
The factory "Rib" will not fit a #1 "V" barrel as the diameter and the over all taper and profile are completely different than the standard "B" barrel or any other factory barrel.
The two holes and factory blocks are the simplest , easiest and least expensive way to go. If you are a shooter and not a pure collector it's the way to go. Whether it detracts from "collector value" is up to the guy you sell it to someday. BUT I've never let it stop me from buying one.
There are #1 "V" chamberings that are far rarer and made in fewer numbers BUT the big boomers are certainly interesting and collectable.
I've bought several of each over the years from guys that thought they would be the cat's meow for hunting but got tired of the added weight.
Of course you could simply look for a Unertl,3200 Redfield or a Lyman Target scope and not spend much more than the cost of a high end modern scope and have something that is "correct" and will usually shoot well.
I have Redfeild 3200s on a 25-06 "V" from 1973 and another on a 7mm Mag made in 1974 and while interesting and fun from a bench, they are a real pain in the bum when your are trying to use one in the field. From a bench is another matter all together.
Enjoy
Ross
