Thread: Ruger #1 303s of NZ

Roumers have it there was a dozen or so Ruger 1 303s sent to New Zealand a few year ago., aswell as Aus and America, but they were initially made up from Canadian orders.......

Theres a long history of the dramas assosciated with them, i assume alot of the original owners of the 303 shipment would likely have sold of traded them on since,
but , is anyone still out there with the Ruger 303?


I got one, an just got it shooting satisfactorily for hunting, its been a long time coming lol.
ive used a few projectiles in this gun now, from 150 up to 215. varied results.

Sing out, discuss more

lovely rifle...I believe there is trick or three to making the #1s shoot...info is out there on net. I spy a loopy scope...old M8 4x perchance????

No1 laminate stainless 204. Fired 90 shots. Shotgunned targets. Only trick, new barrel from true flight.
Now tack driver.
No 1 laminate stainless 243. No tricks. Tack driver.
No 1 Walnut and blue 22 hornet. No tricks. Tack driver out of box.
Older rifles with red pad on stock may have had contract barrels fitted by Ruger. A mix and match in early days.
These gave grief to many people as terrible shooters and a reputation to the no1 which has followed since.
Most dont like to be sighted in with a sandbag forward of the forearm screw, bring the bag back as far as possible toward the action.
Yes, there are other tricks but that is all part of the mystique of being a no1 owner.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

lovely rifle...I believe there is trick or three to making the #1s shoot...info is out there on net. I spy a loopy scope...old M8 4x perchance????

Mick you are right in regards to one of three or nine tricks that will be needed to potentially make one of these shoot.... a well publicised "over sized" bore is not everyones porn material BUT those Speers may be one exception an a Fix for a troubled Rifle.... woodleighs measure .312 so its closer to their spec than most.. and Swaging down is a very possible option REGARDING you neck clearance is there! YRMV.

Now the scope, unfortunatly not a M8 ! jus an older Vari-x II 2-7x33 loves it.

I know of one in NZ. Sick bastards the lot of ya

Originally Posted by Tommy

I know of one in NZ. Sick bastards the lot of ya

mines not in NZ anymore lol

Originally Posted by res

mines not in NZ anymore lol

@res didn't know you had one, so a couple then

Most of the accuracy problems come from the area about the forearm. Numerous thoughts on applied pressure from forearm to barrel, and how much. Screeds of info on the net and a matter of finding which works best.
Keeping in mind it is a single shot where the first shot does all the work, a sighting in session may find the shots starting to string vertically, again the net is full of info with all manner of fixes, But dont get too hung up if things start to go off after a few shots, as long as the first 2 are ok you may still bring home the bacon. If you intend shooting more rounds get a bolt action.

I know of one in 303 in Chch that is (well was in April anyway) for sale if someone desperately wants one - they are spendy!

Originally Posted by Tentman

I know of one in 303 in Chch that is (well was in April anyway) for sale if someone desperately wants one - they are spendy!

I know of two in chch and neither are for sale. (well I guess everything has a price so perhaps for the right buyer.....)

[QUOTE=Rees;1052545]Roumers have it there was a dozen or so Ruger 1 303s sent to New Zealand a few year ago., aswell as Aus and America, but they were initially made up from Canadian orders.......

Theres a long history of the dramas assosciated with them, i assume alot of the original owners of the 303 shipment would likely have sold of traded them on since,
but , is anyone still out there with the Ruger 303?


I got one, an just got it shooting satisfactorily for hunting, its been a long time coming lol.
ive used a few projectiles in this gun now, from 150 up to 215. varied results.

Sing out, discuss more
Try a 215gr Woodleigh RN with medum load of ADI 2209 behind it...2080fps (ish) and everything it hits stays exactly where it was hit...Boom Flop....Shoots partisan / Highland/ PPU and Sellior and Bellot well. Seems to prefer heavier pills like the 18gr-215gr range.

Greetings All,
I have always lusted after a Ruger No 1 but my near terminal procrastination coupled with the natural frugality of my ancestral land have resulted in no such rifle residing in my rifle cupboard. There is however a Martini in .30-40 Krag that shoots a great deal better than at least some of the No 1 rifles. Accuracy with the No 1 .303 rifles seems variable. I believe that the earlier barrels followed the English bore and groove dimensions but not the wide robust English lands (needed to resist the erosive cordite powder). Some later rifles seem to have shot really well. John Barsness, in an article in Handloader tested one that was a real tack driver. Added to this is the rather variable accuracy of especially the earlier No 1 rifles. It seems that what you get in a Ruger No 1 is a bit of a lottery. Perhaps that is part of the allure.
Regards Grandpamac.
PS. There was an earlier thread on this subject that may be worth looking at.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

PS. There was an earlier thread on this subject that may be worth looking at.

typically early threads surrounding the 303 #1 are,.... to be frank..... quite loaded with shit.

i made new post to see if people who had em, still got em, or those who wanted em, finally got one.



about a momth ago i was ready to re barrel into 8x57 rimmed , as someone else mentioned here those rugers that dont shoot, do pretty quickly after a new barrel.

I always fancied a Ruger No 3 when I was younger. Still never seen one in the flesh so to speak.

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I always fancied a Ruger No 3 when I was younger. Still never seen one in the flesh so to speak.

There were two for sale in Rod and Rifle years back. They were in .30-40 Krag and .22 Hornet. Price from memory was $850.00 each. I wonder who has them now?
Grandpamac.