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  #1  
Old 04-11-2016, 12:03 PM
caithness77 caithness77 is offline
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Default Caliber Poll on what caliber to build using this donor.

G'day all,
Have this gorgeous custom Ruger #1 in the safe that I originally bought as an investment to resell. But I have been years now and cant bring myself to parting with it, will never get a chance to own another like this.
NOW, most important here. Please read the following before suggesting a caliber. I need a replacement caliber for small game, primarily Red Fox. Just sold my fourth 218Bee, which works perfectly for me and my targeted species. Have a 223 #1V already and its a Long Range Build. Have had 220 Swifts, too big for me, had a few small 17s, 17 Fireball was pretty cool.
Need low recoil, low noise, using Varmint 40-45 grain pills.
Have an issue with the existing Fore End, the rifle has a very heavy barrel and the Fore End has a deep and wide barrel channel.
Though I love the existing stock with its Tear Drop Buffalo Highlights and Fore End Tip, I could sell it or keep it and refit a #1B or #1V stock set instead. Do I just stick with the 218Bee that I'm very familiar with or is there something else to consider.
Sorry this is a little longer post than what I intend, but wanted to include as much info as I could think of. Over to you guys now, what are your thoughts/suggestions.



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  #2  
Old 04-11-2016, 01:27 PM
Old Hawkeye Old Hawkeye is offline
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You didn't mention what caliber it is now. Changing case heads will require extractor/ejector mods. If having to do those mods doesn't matter you will have more options. Based on your quarry, red fox, and your low noise, low recoil desires I'd go with a 20 Vartarg or 19 Badger. Lower noise yet would be a 20 AH or 19 Calhoon.
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Old 04-11-2016, 01:30 PM
260Ackley 260Ackley is offline
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221 fireball?
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Old 04-11-2016, 01:55 PM
Bayou City Boy Bayou City Boy is offline
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This is just me, but before I did any change-ups to the original, I'd try to find what I could about the lineage of that rifle. It obviously wasn't put together by a neighborhood gunsmith.

As an investment, if you can determine the actual builder, it might afford you to chooses several buildS on other platforms.

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  #5  
Old 04-11-2016, 02:03 PM
redrock ranger redrock ranger is offline
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Sell it and buy a custom bolt action . I had a #1 B in 223,took work to make it shoot accurately { moa} Yes it was neat action,still is.Build it your way.
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Old 04-11-2016, 02:32 PM
Nor Cal Mikie Nor Cal Mikie is offline
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Well, if you can't bring yourself to part with it, you better build it into something you will use and "enjoy". It's going to take a bit of work to rebarrel it and/or change calibers.
First thought would be a .221 Fireball. (one of my favorite rounds)
Or, a 20 VT. Smaller caliber but I don't think you'll gain much.

I've heard tell that those Ruger #1 rifles are a bear to make shoot?? And when they do?? Not first hand experience. That's probably the main reason I don't own one at this minute.

"Or, get it tuned up so it's accurate in the 218 Bee". If it's quiet enough and with comfortable recoil, I'd be building. You've had the Bee and seem to like that round so, build it and go shooting.

?? Is this the .223 you're making into a long range gun? If so, tune it and see how it shoots before making any caliber changes.

Last edited by Nor Cal Mikie; 04-11-2016 at 02:41 PM.
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  #7  
Old 04-11-2016, 02:37 PM
Mntngoat Mntngoat is offline
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are you still shooting your #1 .308 in silhouette?

But Id make this a .218B or .20 Killerbee If you can find any brass.


ML
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Old 04-11-2016, 04:17 PM
Hog Patrol Hog Patrol is offline
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I'm in the same camp as a few other responders. Sell it and get something you're going to make useful. Changing parts around in that rifle is like buying a Porsche and trying to make it in to a Corvette.
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Old 04-11-2016, 05:15 PM
Daryl Daryl is offline
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For me, it would have to be something special - a 7x57R or 7x65R, or perhaps a 9.3x74 or .375Flanged Magnum.
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  #10  
Old 04-11-2016, 05:18 PM
GLWenzl GLWenzl is offline
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Do what some if these guys say and sell. Sell it to me.... Lol

This seems like too nice of a rifle to use as a field Gun.

It looks like a great piece to hand down from one family member to the other...

If it was me and I didn't like the current chambering then I'd do a build off the 357 Max brass.

I like em all so well I'm not sure which one I'd do on it right now. I believe you can go full length 22 caliber for a rimmed triple deuce. OR the rimmed 221 FB and of course you could spend more money on custom dies and do a 17 or 20 version in either.

I would probably have to do the 17 Wenzl Special which is a 17 Jet run in deep that happens to be very similar to Ray's 17 Jav Imp. They are all smaller case capacity then the 17-222 but have the 17-222 performance.

That's a sweetheart!
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