RUGER NUMBER ONE QUESTION

[muleskinner1]

Hello. I need some information regarding the best barrel length for a Ruge#1 using the .223 round. 24" or 26" The rifle will be used for varmint hunting.

 

[picketpin]

I am operating on the idea that you are choseing between the "V" varmint weight barrel in 24" length or the "B" with a 26" barrel.

You can get a tiny bit for velocity with that 2" of extra barrel. On the other hand the "V" barrel doesn't heat up quite as quick.

My experience is that in factory #1s it really doesn't matter much which you use based on accuracy.

Then it just boils down to the feal of the barrel and what you prefer.

Another issue with factory rifles will be how you mount the scope. THe "B' with the 26" barrel comes with the factory rib. The "V" comes with scope blocks and uses factory rings.

It's really more a matter of personal preference more than anything else.


There just isn't enough difference to worry a lot about it. Buy wgich you like/prefer.

RWT

 

[muleskinner1]

Thank you very much for the reply. I'm at the very beginning of the hunt for a varmint rifle. My last one was a custom 25/06 Ruger #77 back in the 70's. I kind of got out of the shooting scene for a long time and became a handgun shooter due to my occupation. (L/E)

I was in Montana last week visiting my son and held a Ruger #1 and a Browning falling block with an octagon barrel at a Scheels store. Both are very nice, but I think I prefer the Ruger. The rifle will be used primarily for 200 yards max, as I don't see very well anymore. I thought about a 22/250 or a Ruger .204, but I think the .223 would do me just as well and be a lot cheaper to buy ammo for. I'm not a reloader and would most likely only shoot 100 rounds or so of ammo a year anyway. The primary target would be Coyotes or other small critters. I live in the high desert of So Cal.

 

[picketpin]

The 22-250 is THE VARMINT round. There are far more factory loads with whatever speed and construction you might want with the 22-250 than just about anything.

Yes, the 223 might be cheaper to shoot.

Given what you said I personally would be looking for a standrad "B" rifle in either caliber.

I have and like the 204 but it is a much more specialized rifle cartridge than the other two. I would NOT recomend it for your only or even first serious varmint rifle. Certainly 2nd or 3rd on the list would be great and they are a riot to shot.

If coyote is the largest critter you may go after and then only part of the time then I might well opt for the 223. Little or no recoil. Ammo availability etc. On the other hand it does give up some top end to the 22-250 and if the rifle was going to be used PRIMARILY as a coyote rifle I'd go with the 22-250. It just does more things well, especially as critters get bigger and ranges get longer.

Either way I'd go with a 22 centerfire BEFORE I went with the .20 caliber .204.

 

[muleskinner1]

The 22-250 makes a lot of sense, especially since I won't be putting very many rounds a year through it. Unless of course I get the bug again and start shooting it a lot. Then I will have to start reloading. I still have my old RCBS .222 dies and such. I sold all of my 25-06 stuff. The 22-250 was the "Hot round" back in the day. It's good to hear it can still hold it's own with all of the modern rounds that have came along.

I live in a very rural area of the So Cal desert. I can shoot right off of my back patio. Makes for a great time when you can sit in your patio chair with a cold one and give it to them!

I've been using my old single shot 24" barreled Mossberg Chuckster in .22MAG with a 4X scope since I sold my center fire stuff back in the 80's. This combination is a killing machine up to 100 yards. The .22MAG is a very under rated round. It will make a quarter size exit wound on a jack rabbit.

I've hit Coyotes with it at or under 100 yards. It anchors them where they stand when hit properly. I'm aware of the rounds limitations so I never take a shot over 100 yards on Coyote size animals.