Ruger number 1 group size expectations

[Zetter]

As mentioned previously I am reloading my Ruger number 1 .303 for deer now my variation is through.

After an initial load ladder test the groups varied from 2" to 1.2".

I now have some nodes to play with from the Chrono based on the better standard deviations.

For those with Ruger number 1s what is the best groups size your have pushed for with them? For a baseline with S and B factory which is seems to like (there is not heaps of choice out there in .303) I have got group of on average 1.5" consistently it for some reason doesnt like PPU as much with the group size being worse.

Really I am trying to get to a load which is consistently acceptable for use but want to realistic without spanking loads of consumables chasing something unobtainable.

any words of wisdom from those familiar with the Ruger number 1 and .303 in general

 

[the_greenman]

I had the Ruger No1 stutzen in 7x57. My groups tightened considerably to under an inch when I zeroed using a sand bag to support the forend on. I had tried holding the forend and the groups were inconsistent.

 

[Mr. Gain]

Working up a load for the smallest group and putting together rounds you can reliably kill deer with are two different exercises.
I would humbly suggest that you have already achieved the second, and that, if you want to persist with the first, it would be proper to regard expending consumables as a feature, not a bug.

 

[Heym SR20]

Ruger No1 don’t have reputations of producing fantastic accuracy, neither for that matter does the 303.

If you are getting 1 1/2” to 2” then you should be happy, and the deer will not.

Having re read the OP again, you are already well within the accuracy expectations of the No4 T sniper rifle.

 

[tackb]

I had a heavy barrelled number 1 in 22-250 and i loved it but got rid of it because it wouldn’t group well enough

There is info out there about tuning them which mostly revolves around free floating it on the foreend hanger

303 isn’t the most accurate round but if you are getting 1.2’’ groups with one of your loads then i would hazard you are pretty near what it’s capable of

I am however happy to take the bad shooting awful rifle off your hands

 

[Zetter]

Cheers all I will stick with what I have I think as this is going to be an out and out deer rifle going forwards. I was not expecting 1/2" groups given the round so I will settle on one in the velocity area I want that gives acceptable grouping and leave it at that. to be fair I am not the greatest shot so on deer I prefer to be <150yards anyway.

 

[Jagare]

I stalked for 35 years with a Heym-Ruger #1 .308 it would shoot sub 1" groups but did have a Superb Canjar trigger on it. I also had a Ruger #1 International .243 the accuracy of that rifle was plenty good enough for woodland stalking. I did replace the trigger on that rifle with a Moyers trigger that greatly improved the trigger pull.

 

[Smellydog]

What is a ladder test?

 

[Jagdmatch]

I have 2, one stutzen in 7x57 and a 405 Winchester. The stutzen wound not group well initially but solved this with a pressure point under the forend cap. Both rifles have a trimmed penny jammed between the forend hanger and the barrel which helps. My shooting mate now has Greenmans 7x57. All of the rifles will hit deer out to 150 m but I do not expect 10 round 40 mm goups. The 7x57 prefers heavier projectiles

 

[Number8]

Depends which Ruger No1 you have. I've had a No1V in 223 and in 6mmRem, both shot MOA, the 223 was especially good.
I had a No1B in 223 and in 270, generally the best I had was just outside MOA but the rifles were very nice to carry.

 

[moeggesit]

Ruger No1 don’t have reputations of producing fantastic accuracy, neither for that matter does the 303.

If you are getting 1 1/2” to 2” then you should be happy, and the deer will not.

Having re read the OP again, you are already well within the accuracy expectations of the No4 T sniper rifle.

The 303 cartridge is no less accurate than any other. Accuracy issues is usually 50% people who can’t shoot and 50% has sporterised a military 303 and made it unusable or messed around with the bedding. A properly set up military 303 (any model) in the right hands will usually shoot very well.

New rifles in 303 shoots like any other calibre in the same rifle.

 

[kenbro]

What is a ladder test?

A waste of time and money in this instance.
Ken.

 

[tackb]

The 303 cartridge is no less accurate than any other. Accuracy issues is usually 50% people who can’t shoot and 50% has sporterised a military 303 and made it unusable or messed around with the bedding. A properly set up military 303 (any model) in the right hands will usually shoot very well.

New rifles in 303 shoots like any other calibre in the same rifle.

This is simply not true or people would be using the 303 in benchrest rifles

 

[kenbro]

The 303 cartridge is no less accurate than any other. Accuracy issues is usually 50% people who can’t shoot and 50% has sporterised a military 303 and made it unusable or messed around with the bedding. A properly set up military 303 (any model) in the right hands will usually shoot very well.

New rifles in 303 shoots like any other calibre in the same rifle.

It’s a fact, some chamberings are inherently more accurate than others.
KB.

 

[Smellydog]

A waste of time and money in this instance.
Ken.

I looked it up and thought **** that!

At first though I thought they must shoot from a ladder or draw a target looking like a ladder , my mind was going up and down, up and down, I mean do you need an assistant to hold the bottom or what...then I read up on it and immediately thought a bullet manufacturer has invented this to sell more bullets!
Oh well, what ever it takes....

 

[EigerWand]

What bullets were you reloading with ?

I understand some .312" bullets are intended for the 7.62x39.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I had the Ruger No1 stutzen in 7x57. My groups tightened considerably to under an inch when I zeroed using a sand bag to support the forend on. I had tried holding the forend and the groups were inconsistent.

Interesting. I have found the opposite but haven't owned or shot a Ruger No 1 stutzen.

K
Ps: To clarify I still use a sand bag-like support but hand cradles stock with back of hand resting.

 

[webley701]

I had a heavy barrelled number 1 in 22-250 and i loved it but got rid of it because it wouldn’t group well enough

There is info out there about tuning them which mostly revolves around free floating it on the foreend hanger

303 isn’t the most accurate round but if you are getting 1.2’’ groups with one of your loads then i would hazard you are pretty near what it’s capable of

I am however happy to take the bad shooting awful rifle off your hands

There's nothing to stop the .303 being very accurate given the right rifle & it has been shown to be so, in the past in NRA Match Rifle competition.

 

[webley701]

It’s a fact, some chamberings are inherently more accurate than others.
KB.

This is simply not true or people would be using the 303 in benchrest rifles

Actually the relatively similar .30-30 cartridge has been used successfully in benchrest competitions where a 30 cal is required.

Even in a very USA dominated discipline the 303 case has also been successfully used in the Schuetzen type of target shooting (part of which is done from a benchrest).

There is nothing about the .303 case nor any similar rimmed case that precludes excellent accuracy. In the heyday of Schuetzen shooting which was the forerunner of the current benchrest discipline, the very impressive results came almost universally from rimmed cases very similar or essentially identical to the .303

That the .303 case isn’t seen in current 'Benchrest’ circles (either short or long range) is a rather inane comment & one that could be made of the majority of cartridges including some commonly used in other forms of target shooting.

 

[tackb]

Actually the relatively similar .30-30 cartridge has been used successfully in benchrest competitions where a 30 cal is required.

Even in a very USA dominated discipline the 303 case has also been successfully used in the Schuetzen type of target shooting (part of which is done from a benchrest).

There is nothing about the .303 case nor any similar rimmed case that precludes excellent accuracy. In the heyday of Schuetzen shooting which was the forerunner of the current benchrest discipline, the very impressive results came almost universally from rimmed cases very similar or essentially identical to the .303

That the .303 case isn’t seen in current 'Benchrest’ circles (either short or long range) is a rather inane comment & one that could be made of the majority of cartridges including some commonly used in other forms of target shooting.

My comment was to the statement that the 303 is just as accurate as any other cartridge in the same rifle , this is patently not true so not really an inane comment.

You are obviously a 303 fancier as am i but lets not pretend it’s anything it isn’t ?

Let’s celebrate the 303 for the wonderfully historic thing that it is ?