Custom Ruger No. 1 Project

Salmo22

Salmo22

New member
I'm gathering ideas for a custom Ruger No. 1 for predator hunting. It will be chambered in 6x284. I love well made guns and don't hesitate to take them hunting. It is going to get a new stock, trigger and some metal work/engraving. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

Here are some photos of custom No. 1's to give you an idea of what I'm trying to achieve.

RugerNo1Custom6.jpg


RugerNo1Custom2.jpg


Ruger2020120Engraved2020Right.jpg


_1A00011.jpg
 
Ruger #1's are very handsome rifles and a starting platform for the custom gunmaker art. I do question your choice of caliber, stay with a standard chambering.

Hoggy
 
Originally Posted By: hoginator204Ruger #1's are very handsome rifles and a starting platform for the custom gunmaker art. I do question your choice of caliber, stay with a standard chambering.

Hoggy

Hey Hoggy:

Thanks for your comments. I choose the 6x284 because it copies a Ruger No. 1 my father has been shooting for over 20 years. I do all my own custom reloading and I am very comfortable with this choice. I'll use Lapua brass, turn the necks, and really work on creating a rifle that will shoot bugholes. When you've got to make one shot count, it helps the nerves to know your rifle will do the job.
 
Nice looking custom #1's...

Do you know who built the bottom rifle with the case hardened receiver? It looks like a a Stephen Billeb rifle.

-BCB
 
i hav had 2 re-barrel'd...no engraving...22BR & 338/280 ACKLEY...both 1B models...maybe an Alex-Henry down the road...i used Triple G Gunsmithing in Tex....Garland is excellent....who are you gonna use?
 
Originally Posted By: Bayou City BoyNice looking custom #1's...

Do you know who built the bottom rifle with the case hardened receiver? It looks like a a Stephen Billeb rifle.

-BCB

Sorry BCB, I don't know the gunsmith's name.
 
Some awesome Number 1's you posted.
The only suggestion I have, after owning one Number 1 is, get a Kepplinger trigger installed while you're building it up.
I DO like that one in the bottom pix..

Martyn
 
I agree with a custom caliber for a custom gun. Just makes it that much more special. Be sure to post pics when you are finished.
 
The top gun had the best treatment of the "big d@mn screw" (the only thing that makes metalwork on a #1 a pain...)

But, for looks the bottom "Safari" style is superb. But, for a Varmint/Predator gun you will want a longer forearm and a sling stud in the stock...

Are you going for a "Classic" engraved gun look or something more styled to the "Predator Hunter"... Because in a Predator rifle you could go with a thumbhole stock and a fatter forend in a light colored wood and case hardened receiver for a real "show-off" in contrast... A half Octagon Barrel with some matc huing engraving on the flats... name on one side and caliber on the other of the top three flats (leave the top flat engraved and run matching engraving onto the scope base and rings...

One thing I have always considered to do on a real "done-up-right" custom gun nis to go back to the 60's "Californai Look" a little... I have some pictures somewhere... But, early Weatherbys had that look... Mesquitre stocks and rosewood forend tips... Slight hook in the pistol grip and rosewood caps...
 
For me, a full custom rifle has always meant pure American Classic styling: A straight no comb stock with very little drop if any at all; a very open pistol grip; French Walnut; 22+ LPI intircate checkering, appropriate metal checkering and modest engraving on case hardened receivers.

A Pre-64 Win action or a good Mauser action fully worked over by a good metal smith for a bolt rifle is a must..

This is an example from The Dave Miller Company in Tuscon, AZ. The pic is kinda' small but you can see the general trend. Dave Miller (metal smith) and Curt Crum (stock maker) have together built some of the finest custom rifles around.

Miller-Classic-Rifle-7-1-05-01Copy-.jpg


A couple of other examples from Stephen Billeb's web site: I'm not sure he did all of the work on these as many custom rifles when being built are "farmed out" for special work done by others than the primary builder such as special engraving,etc.

280RemBrownell2L.jpg


280RemBryanL.jpg


35WhelenL.jpg


Here's a link to Stephen Billeb's web site: He lives in Cody, Wyoming and is a well know custom gun builder with an international reputation. There are others ....

http://www.customgunmaker.com/

You might check this web site for a list of very good rifle builders. Anyone here will be pricey to the extreme, but the work will be beyond belief. Not all of the best US gun makers are members, but anyone who is listed is capable of building a work of art.

http://www.acgg.org/

If you're building on a Ruger #1, a very functional custom feature is to get rid of the long safety and have a new safety button built from scratch that is shorter and not in the way.

-BCB

 
Although engraving isn't my thing, those are very handsome examples, ones that I would be proud of, particularly the case hardened one.

I think No. 1s are one of the most elegant rifles ever made, I'd never get rid of mine. Don
 
Originally Posted By: Chapped Lipsi hav had 2 re-barrel'd...no engraving...22BR & 338/280 ACKLEY...both 1B models...maybe an Alex-Henry down the road...i used Triple G Gunsmithing in Tex....Garland is excellent....who are you gonna use?
I'd love to use Steven Dodds Hughes; however, he is one busy fellow. I hear you on the Alex-Henry. Here are a few photos of one to get the juices flowing.

AlexanderHenry2.jpg


AlexanderHenry3.jpg


AlexanderHenry1.jpg
 
Originally Posted By: DoubleCKGreat project!

Have you found an Engraver who can do justice to the Mighty Yote?
I'll be attending the Firearms Engravers Guild and American Custom Gunmakers Exhibition in Reno next month. I hope to nail down some items at that gathering.
 
Originally Posted By: Greg_MeyerThe top gun had the best treatment of the "big d@mn screw" (the only thing that makes metalwork on a #1 a pain...)

But, for looks the bottom "Safari" style is superb. But, for a Varmint/Predator gun you will want a longer forearm and a sling stud in the stock...

Are you going for a "Classic" engraved gun look or something more styled to the "Predator Hunter"... Because in a Predator rifle you could go with a thumbhole stock and a fatter forend in a light colored wood and case hardened receiver for a real "show-off" in contrast... A half Octagon Barrel with some matc huing engraving on the flats... name on one side and caliber on the other of the top three flats (leave the top flat engraved and run matching engraving onto the scope base and rings...

One thing I have always considered to do on a real "done-up-right" custom gun nis to go back to the 60's "Californai Look" a little... I have some pictures somewhere... But, early Weatherbys had that look... Mesquitre stocks and rosewood forend tips... Slight hook in the pistol grip and rosewood caps...
This will definately be a custom predator rifle; however, I'm not really into game scene engraving. Maybe I'll change my mind after I choose an engraver and discuss details. The barrel is a huge issue for me on the #1. I won't have any problem getting a wonderful custom barrel, but since the front scope mount is on the barrel that treatment/solution is critical.

The stock will have classic lines - nothing exotic. It will be 100% quarter-sawn California English walnut. I'll post more info once I get back from the FEGA & ACGG Convention in January.
 
Originally Posted By: Bayou City BoyFor me, a full custom rifle has always meant pure American Classic styling: A straight no comb stock with very little drop if any at all; a very open pistol grip; French Walnut; 22+ LPI intircate checkering, appropriate metal checkering and modest engraving on case hardened receivers.

A Pre-64 Win action or a good Mauser action fully worked over by a good metal smith for a bolt rifle is a must
If you're building on a Ruger #1, a very functional custom feature is to get rid of the long safety and have a new safety button built from scratch that is shorter and not in the way.

-BCB
BCB:

I hear you about the classic American sporting rifle. It is certainly a wonderful way to go with a custom. In addition to Messrs. Miller and Crum, I really enjoy the work of James Tucker. He did a 270 custom that is profiled in Steven Dodd Hughes' book; "Custom Rifles in Black & White". He used a 1909 Mauser action and it is a work of art - total elegance in its most simplistic form. My Dad has a pre-64 M70 that would be perfect for such a project.
 
fwiw
I have and shoot a #1 as well in 25-06
stock the rifle is very accurate
I can not see your pics though so I can not comment on the rifles you mention
 
Originally Posted By: Salmo22....I choose the 6x284 because it copies a Ruger No. 1 my father has been shooting for over 20 years.

Put your Fathers picture on it.

PC
 


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