Caliber Poll on what caliber to build using this donor.

[kenbro]

OP wanted low recoil, low noise with 40 to 45 grain bullets!
Ken.

[Alycidon]

Thats a lovely bit of work, think I would also be looking at its history as BCB suggested. But given what we know then 20VT or 221FB would be my choice. I dont personally like 17s on foxes.

A

[montdoug]

Is the barrel bad? If not and it shoots ok I'd be in the leave it as is group.

[foxhunter]

I really like my Ruger # 1ah in 218 bee 22" barrel, Moyer trigger and hicks Accurizer. it loves 40 gr v-max at 3450 fps and it's not noisy. shoots .25" groups at 100 yards. out of a dozen No 1 I've owned only one wouldn't shoot, a 1v 223

[caithness77]

Originally Posted by montdoug

Is the barrel bad? If not and it shoots ok I'd be in the leave it as is group.

Hi montdoug,
The original chamber was for 224 Weatherby Mag, someone for some reason re lined the barrel and chambered to 220 Swift. Real shame they did that, but there you go.
Struggling with the thought of selling her, would most likely never going to own a rifle of this appearance/quality. But if I did sell her the funds would pay for a few other builds with change left over. Mmmm what to do.

Stu

[caithness77]

Originally Posted by foxhunter

I really like my Ruger # 1ah in 218 bee 22" barrel, Moyer trigger and hicks Accurizer. it loves 40 gr v-max at 3450 fps and it's not noisy. shoots .25" groups at 100 yards. out of a dozen No 1 I've owned only one wouldn't shoot, a 1v 223

Hi foxhunter,
Thanks for sharing. All my Bees have shot well with Alliant 2400, 12grains, with 40grain Hornady V-Max. Seems a perfect load for the Bee.
I have two #1Vs that I've only started doing load development for. Hope I don't have the problem you had.

Stu

[df06]

I'd go with a 20 VT
Having said that, I have owned and sold four Ruger #1s. All were marginal accuracy wise, on a good day, so I would not pour money into a #1.
But its your money.

[Bayou City Boy]

Originally Posted by df06

I'd gth a 20 VT
Having said that, I have owned and sold four Ruger #1s. All were marginal accuracy wise, on a good day, so I would not pour money into a #1.
But its your money.

Just from looking at the pictures, its pretty obvious that this isn't a "run of the mill" Ruger #1. Whoever the smith/s were, I'm guessing they knew what they were putting out the door both in terms of esthetics as well as accuracy. That is part of the reason I'd think long and hard before I used it as a donor.

"Having said that", I've owned several box stock Ruger #1's over the years and all shot very well, some extremely well. Right now one of my most accurate factory hunting rifles is a Ruger #1 Tropical in 6.5x55 Swede. It will stick with any factory bolt gun any day of the week.

-BCB

[foxhunter]

sure reminds me if some of the rifle Heym of Germany made from #1 actions.

[georgeld]

Sure a pretty rifle all the way around.
Too bad it's been changed over already.
With that in mind, IF you can reuse that
barrel for the new build, I'd sure go that way
rather than rebarrel it.

Try cleaning the bore to the best you can then work up
some loads for it. Looking like that it needs some care
and attention to make shoot well. IF no other way,
send it to Foxhunter to play with. Bet he could make it
shoot!