Blue steel, walnut and precision old school style
By Jerry Lee, Gun Digest
Ruger’s fantastic No. 1 single-shot rifle has been a favorite among hunters and shooters since its introduction in the 1960s.
What to know about the classic Ruger No. 1 rifle:
In 1966, Ruger invited a select group of gun writers to a meeting at the NRA convention in Chicago to unveil a new rifle. It was a classic-style single-shot based on John Farquharson’s falling-block design that was patented in Scotland in 1872. The rifle was designed to appeal to the traditional sportsman who appreciated and understood the challenge — as well as the advantages and disadvantages
— of having one shot.
In the 1967 edition of the Gun Digest Annual, the late Roger Barlow wrote a review of the new Ruger rifle and eloquently described the appeal of the single shot.
“The man with a single shot rifle, stalking his game skillfully, thoughtfully calculating his range, not just shooting at his quarry but selecting the most effective shot to place that bullet, then carefully aiming and making that one shot count — that man surely is more of a hunter than is the fellow having half a dozen shots available in his repeater.”
Originally, the rifle was going to be named the Victorian, due to its 19th century styling, but not long after it went into production, the name was changed. From the beginning, the actions were stamped “No. 1” and that became the official name. This Ruger model should always be referred to in print as “No. 1” and not “Number One” or “Number 1.”
Forever ‘No. 1’
The design is not merely a replica of the Farquharson, but it’s a modern take on the action. The falling block is operated with a lever located just behind the trigger guard. This action is much shorter in length — about 4.5 inches — than those of the various repeating rifle designs, which provides one of the No. 1’s major advantages: It can have a longer barrel than a repeating rifle with the same overall length, and therefore achieve a higher velocity.
When the rifle was introduced, the original calibers were the .222 Remington, .22-250 Rem., .243 Winchester, 6mm Remington, .308 Winchester, .30-06 and .458 Winchester Magnum. All were offered with either a 22- or 26-inch barrel, except the.458 Win. Mag., which had a 24-inch heavy barrel. The very first No. 1 was chambered in .308 Winchester and is in the private collection of the Ruger family. The No. 1 has been offered in virtually every popular American caliber, ranging from the .204 Ruger to the .480 Ruger, including several European rounds.
The earliest production rifles were referred to as the S22L, S26M and S24H. These variants were later known as the Light Sporter, Medium Sporter and Tropical Rifle. Other variations, such as the Standard and International, were later added along with many more calibers. The earliest No. 1 models were marked with serial numbers with no prefix, and these models will bring a premium. This serial number range goes from 1 to approximately 8437 for rifles produced through the end of 1969. Beginning in 1970, a prefix was added starting with 130-xxxx.
Beginning in 2014, the No. 1 has been made in a limited range of calibers. Each variation is chambered in only one caliber each year, and that caliber changes every year. Most current models are distributor exclusives available only from Talo Distributors or Lipseys.
The descriptions below cover most regular models in production through 2014. Estimated values are from the 28th edition of Standard Catalog of Firearms (Gun Digest Books, 2017.)
No. 1-A Light Sporter
This model features a checkered American walnut stock with an Alexander Henry style forend, barrel band with sling swivel, and a 22-inch barrel with a quarter rib with a folding rear and a ramp front sight. Like all No. 1 variations, it has a shotgun-style tang safety, pistol grip cap and rubber recoil pad. Average weight is 7¼ pounds. Previously offered in.204 Ruger, .22 Hornet, .222 Rem., .223 Rem., .22-250 Rem., .243 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win., 7×57 Mauser, 7mm-08, .280 Rem. (2014 only), .308 Win., .30-06, .300 RCM, .303 British. For serial numbers without a prefix, add a premium to the following prices of 25 to 50 percent, depending on the condition of the rifle.
NIB Exc. V. G. Good Fair Poor
$1,050 $900 $750 $550 $350 $200
No. 1-B Standard
The stock on this model has a semi-beavertail fore-end with swivel studs in the buttstock and fore-end. Barrel length is 22 or 26 inches with the quarter rib equipped with the well-known Ruger integral scope mount bases with rings. Average weight is 8 to 8¼ pounds. This model was in production from 1966 to 2010 and at various times was chambered in.204 Ruger, .218 Bee, .22 Hornet, .223 Rem., .22-250 Rem., .243 Win., 6mm Rem., .257 Roberts, .25-06 Rem., 6.5 Rem. Mag., 6.5 Creedmoor, .270 Win., .270 Weatherby Mag., 7×57 Mauser, 7mm-08 Win., .280 Rem., 7mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag., .300 Weatherby Mag., and .338 Win. Magnum. For serial numbers without a prefix, add a premium to the following prices of 25 to 50 percent, depending on the condition of the rifle. Also add a premium of 40 to 50 percent for rare calibers including the 6.5 Remington Magnum, 7×57 Mauser and 6mm Remington.
NIB Exc. V. G. Good Fair Poor
$950 $800 $675 $450 $300 $150
No. 1-H Tropical Rifle
This model is chambered for several big-bore cartridges and was designed primarily for use on dangerous game. The heavy contour 24-inch barrel has adjustable open sights and a barrel band. Other features are similar to other No. 1 models. Calibers have included the.375 H&H Magnum, .405 Win., .416 Ruger, .416 Remington, .416 Rigby, .450/.400 NE, .45-70 Govt., .458 Lott, and .458 Win. Magnum. For serial numbers without a prefix, add a premium of from 25 to 50 percent, depending on the condition of the rifle. Also add a premium of 75 percent for.404 Jeffery and 250 percent for .45-70 Govt.
NIB Exc. V. G. Good Fair Poor
$1,050 $900 $750 $550 $350 $200
No. 1-RSI International
The full-length Mannlicher-style stock and 20-inch barrel set this one apart from other No. 1s. It’s equipped with adjustable open sights and an American walnut checkered stock with a complete sling swivel mounted on the forend. This model was limited to the following calibers:.243 Win., .257 Roberts (2014 only), .270 Win., 7×57 Mauser, .30-06 and .300 RCM. As with the other early production models, add a premium to the following prices of from 25 to 50 percent for a non-prefix serial number, depending on the condition of the rifle.
NIB Exc. V. G. Good Fair Poor
$1,100 $950 $800 $600 $400 $250
No.1-S Medium Sporter
Similar to the Light Sporter with a 22-inch medium-weight barrel and open sights. This model was chambered in these cartridges:.218 Bee, 7mm Remington Magnum, .300 Win. Mag., .300 H&H Mag., 9.3×62 (2014 only), 9.3x74R, .338 RCM, .338 Win Mag., .375 Ruger, .38-55 Winchester, .45-70 Govt., .460 S&W Mag., .480 Ruger/.475 Linebaugh. Weight varies depending on caliber from 7 to 8 pounds. As with the other early production models, add a premium to the following prices of from 25 to 50 percent for a non-prefix serial number, depending on the condition of the rifle. A limited edition run of 1,500 rifles marking Ruger’s 50 th anniversary was made in 1999. These models featured a high-grade Circassian walnut stock with gold inlays of William B.
