Ruger #1 in 6.5-284
By John Johnston
Bill Ruger, 1916-2002, was and will always be a giant in the firearms industry. Like those who lived through the great depression era, he had a tremendous work ethic. Along with firearms he loved to collect fine old cars. He loved the fine lines of these cars. Even though his first firearm design was a pistol, his baby was the Ruger #1. He would listen to hunters and shooters for ideas. There were a lot of hunters that would appreciate a rifle that they could carry in the woods on stalks which might possibly end in a single well placed shot on their game. Bill Ruger's ability to listen to the needs and desires of shooters and hunters was one of his great attributes.
Ruger #1 ready to head out for a hunt.
The Ruger #1 is loosely based on the Farquharson rifle. It is a hammerless falling block by design. The safety is conveniently located on the tang making it a rifle for both left and right handed shooters. The barrel is held on a hanger type system with the forearm attached by one screw at an angle which is a typical Ruger design. The angle pulls the forearm to the hanger. Being a single shot, the action is short, cutting off approximately four inches from the length of a typical bolt action.
The rifle tested was chambered in a new caliber for Ruger, 6.5-284, made popular by the long range shooters and hunters. The one I received was one of the first off the assembly line. It was so new that Ruger had to wait to find factory ammunition for proof testing. As soon as I found out that Ruger was coming out with this caliber I was on the phone with the marketing folks. This is one of those rifles that really excited me and that is not easy these days with rifles. When it arrived finally I had several reloads ready to go.
The Ruger's under barrel forearm hanger.
The powders used were the H4831SC, H4350, IMR4350, RL22 and RL19. The bullets I chose were in the 120-142 grain range from various manufactures. This Ruger #1V was scoped with a Leupold 4.5x14 CDS scope. This choice was by design because if this rifle shot well, it would be with me opening day of deer season 2013. After sighting the rifle in at one hundred yards; the load, shoot, load, shoot began till I found that sweet spot which the rifle really liked. First thing I observed was the 6.5-284 preferred the H4831SC. With a twenty-six inch barrel velocities were very sufficient. The worst group this rifle shot was right at one inch for five rounds. Lapua brass was used for all testing and you cannot get much better brass.
The 6.5-284 has a bad rap for being a barrel burner. I suppose if you ran maximum plus rounds through the barrel at a very quick succession; your barrel may not last long, especially if you are shooting for extremely small groups. The #1 is a hunter's rifle and I doubt the average hunter will shoot eight hundred to a thousand rounds through the barrel during the life time of the rifle. I ended up picking two loads for this rifle. The best load was 51gr. of H4831SC under a 140gr Berger VLD/hunting bullet with an OAL of 3.21". It would shoot a group of five shots in .389 inch at 2748fps. The Berger 130gr VLD/hunting over 52gr. H4831SC with a 3.19" OAL shot .411" five shot group at 2851fps. You might ask why I do not shoot target bullets. I shoot the bullets that I would use. This rifle will be used for hunting. I did shoot several Hornadys, Nosler BT's and Barnes. Each did extremely well and the group sizes were almost as tight as the Bergers. Now it was time for me to decide what to have the Leupold engrave on the CDS dial. I chose the 130 gr. Berger. Since most of my hunting is for Texas size whitetail, the 130gr Berger gave me velocity, accuracy and enough terminal velocity for deer. If I ever decide to take it on an elk hunt, it will be easy enough to call Leupold and have a new dial engraved.
By John Johnston
Bill Ruger, 1916-2002, was and will always be a giant in the firearms industry. Like those who lived through the great depression era, he had a tremendous work ethic. Along with firearms he loved to collect fine old cars. He loved the fine lines of these cars. Even though his first firearm design was a pistol, his baby was the Ruger #1. He would listen to hunters and shooters for ideas. There were a lot of hunters that would appreciate a rifle that they could carry in the woods on stalks which might possibly end in a single well placed shot on their game. Bill Ruger's ability to listen to the needs and desires of shooters and hunters was one of his great attributes.
Ruger #1 ready to head out for a hunt.
The Ruger #1 is loosely based on the Farquharson rifle. It is a hammerless falling block by design. The safety is conveniently located on the tang making it a rifle for both left and right handed shooters. The barrel is held on a hanger type system with the forearm attached by one screw at an angle which is a typical Ruger design. The angle pulls the forearm to the hanger. Being a single shot, the action is short, cutting off approximately four inches from the length of a typical bolt action.
The rifle tested was chambered in a new caliber for Ruger, 6.5-284, made popular by the long range shooters and hunters. The one I received was one of the first off the assembly line. It was so new that Ruger had to wait to find factory ammunition for proof testing. As soon as I found out that Ruger was coming out with this caliber I was on the phone with the marketing folks. This is one of those rifles that really excited me and that is not easy these days with rifles. When it arrived finally I had several reloads ready to go.
The Ruger's under barrel forearm hanger.
The powders used were the H4831SC, H4350, IMR4350, RL22 and RL19. The bullets I chose were in the 120-142 grain range from various manufactures. This Ruger #1V was scoped with a Leupold 4.5x14 CDS scope. This choice was by design because if this rifle shot well, it would be with me opening day of deer season 2013. After sighting the rifle in at one hundred yards; the load, shoot, load, shoot began till I found that sweet spot which the rifle really liked. First thing I observed was the 6.5-284 preferred the H4831SC. With a twenty-six inch barrel velocities were very sufficient. The worst group this rifle shot was right at one inch for five rounds. Lapua brass was used for all testing and you cannot get much better brass.
The 6.5-284 has a bad rap for being a barrel burner. I suppose if you ran maximum plus rounds through the barrel at a very quick succession; your barrel may not last long, especially if you are shooting for extremely small groups. The #1 is a hunter's rifle and I doubt the average hunter will shoot eight hundred to a thousand rounds through the barrel during the life time of the rifle. I ended up picking two loads for this rifle. The best load was 51gr. of H4831SC under a 140gr Berger VLD/hunting bullet with an OAL of 3.21". It would shoot a group of five shots in .389 inch at 2748fps. The Berger 130gr VLD/hunting over 52gr. H4831SC with a 3.19" OAL shot .411" five shot group at 2851fps. You might ask why I do not shoot target bullets. I shoot the bullets that I would use. This rifle will be used for hunting. I did shoot several Hornadys, Nosler BT's and Barnes. Each did extremely well and the group sizes were almost as tight as the Bergers. Now it was time for me to decide what to have the Leupold engrave on the CDS dial. I chose the 130 gr. Berger. Since most of my hunting is for Texas size whitetail, the 130gr Berger gave me velocity, accuracy and enough terminal velocity for deer. If I ever decide to take it on an elk hunt, it will be easy enough to call Leupold and have a new dial engraved.
Ruger #1 in 6.5-284 Review - 2
The true test of a long range is distance shooting. Unable to get to shoot at 1000 yards; I settled on 450 yards. The rifle was a pleasure to shoot and the load shot a group just a little larger than ½ MOA. This rifle indeed was a keeper.
The actual block that falls down for loading. This is built like a bank safe.
The Ruger #1 dimensions: 5lb factory trigger which was very crisp, 26" varmint barrel, 42 ¾" overall length and a total weight with scope of 10lbs. 5oz. This may not be the rifle you want to carry on a mountain hunt but the weight did make it very comfortable to shoot with almost maximum loads. The barrel has a 1-8" right hand barrel twist which will take the lighter 6.5 bullets and up to 142 gr.
Over my life I have owned and used several Ruger #1's in various calibers. I have to admit that the 6.5 Creedmoor and this rifle shot the best out of all of them. Some say that they are slow for a backup shot, not so. I am right handed so if a situation may demand a follow up shot I just put two rounds between my fingers of my left hand. With practice you can get off three rounds just about as fast as some bolt actions.
This rifle had a very nice walnut stock with a polished blue metal. The wood to metal fit was excellent. On the varmint model the scope mounts are mounted onto the barrel directly. The remainder of the #1 models have a barrel rib where the rings attach. Some people say this is an accuracy weakness. I personally have not found that true. To me there is no difference between that rib and screwed on scope bases of bolt actions.
When I asked the Ruger folks if the 6.5-284 will stay in the lineup, I was told it depends on sales. So if you want one of these rifles, get it quickly. The Ruger Company is still listening to the customer's needs and desires.
John Johnston
After twenty-five years with a major law enforcement agency, John Johnston retired to the hill country of central Texas. His law enforcement career was diverse with assignments with the tactical/motorcycle unit, patrol, and criminal investigation. After retiring, writing became his calling. He started with a newspaper column which, he still writes and then moved up to major magazines in the area of shooting and hunting. He is known for his unbiased product testing and evaluations. Having a full size range from 25-450 yards next to his home was his dream come true. 2010 marks his fiftieth anniversary in the hunting, shooting and reloading sports. You will notice his writing style is quite relaxed and he prefers to write like he is speaking to you around a camp fire. John welcomes questions and comments whether good or bad. You can reach John at [email protected].
The actual block that falls down for loading. This is built like a bank safe.
The Ruger #1 dimensions: 5lb factory trigger which was very crisp, 26" varmint barrel, 42 ¾" overall length and a total weight with scope of 10lbs. 5oz. This may not be the rifle you want to carry on a mountain hunt but the weight did make it very comfortable to shoot with almost maximum loads. The barrel has a 1-8" right hand barrel twist which will take the lighter 6.5 bullets and up to 142 gr.
Over my life I have owned and used several Ruger #1's in various calibers. I have to admit that the 6.5 Creedmoor and this rifle shot the best out of all of them. Some say that they are slow for a backup shot, not so. I am right handed so if a situation may demand a follow up shot I just put two rounds between my fingers of my left hand. With practice you can get off three rounds just about as fast as some bolt actions.
This rifle had a very nice walnut stock with a polished blue metal. The wood to metal fit was excellent. On the varmint model the scope mounts are mounted onto the barrel directly. The remainder of the #1 models have a barrel rib where the rings attach. Some people say this is an accuracy weakness. I personally have not found that true. To me there is no difference between that rib and screwed on scope bases of bolt actions.
When I asked the Ruger folks if the 6.5-284 will stay in the lineup, I was told it depends on sales. So if you want one of these rifles, get it quickly. The Ruger Company is still listening to the customer's needs and desires.
John Johnston
After twenty-five years with a major law enforcement agency, John Johnston retired to the hill country of central Texas. His law enforcement career was diverse with assignments with the tactical/motorcycle unit, patrol, and criminal investigation. After retiring, writing became his calling. He started with a newspaper column which, he still writes and then moved up to major magazines in the area of shooting and hunting. He is known for his unbiased product testing and evaluations. Having a full size range from 25-450 yards next to his home was his dream come true. 2010 marks his fiftieth anniversary in the hunting, shooting and reloading sports. You will notice his writing style is quite relaxed and he prefers to write like he is speaking to you around a camp fire. John welcomes questions and comments whether good or bad. You can reach John at [email protected].
