Custom Ruger No. 1 in .45-120

This video provides a close-up look at my custom Ruger No. 1 rifle chambered for the .45-120. This is a cartridge that was developed near the end of the buffalo hunting era (the one in the "Quigley Down Under" movie was a .45-110 - classified as "experimental" at that time). In addition to the custom chambering, this rifle also has a hand-made stock and custom engraving with gold inlay.
In spite of those visual enhancements, I use this rifle the most for hunting moose, deer and bear (it works very well). The smokeless load I developed gets the 535 grain cast bullet going to about 1,600 fps; facilitating a fairly flat trajectory (which is what I want when hunting).
Due to the incredible strength of the Ruger No. 1 falling block action and the large case capacity (originally designed for black powder), I could easily make this load more powerful than a modern .458 Winchester Magnum, but that would be more punishing than is necessary for my purposes. The rifle weighing about 11 lbs, with a muzzle velocity of 1,600 fps applied to the 535 grain, the recoil comes in at about 33 ft-lbs, which is not too bad.
DISCLAIMER: My videos are strictly for documentary, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Imitation or the use of any acts depicted in my videos is solely AT YOUR OWN RISK. All work on firearms should be carried out by a licensed individual and all state, provincial and federal rules apply to such. I (including KZbin) will not be held liable for any injury to yourself or damage to your firearms resulting from attempting anything shown in any of my videos. I do not endorse any specific product and this video is not an attempt to sell you a good or service. I am not a gun store and DO NOT sell or deal in firearms. Such a practice is heavily regulated and subject to applicable laws. I DO NOT sell parts, magazines, or firearms. These videos are free to watch and if anyone attempts to charge for this video notify me immediately. By viewing or flagging this video you are acknowledging the above.
Fair Use: In the rare instance I include someone else’s footage, that is covered in Fair Use for Documentary and Educational purposes with the intention of driving commentary and allowing freedom of speech.

[@karlk6860]

Very interesting I have been a #1 for for 40 years and own 2 of them a 220 Swift and a Lipseys in .257 Weatherby Mag. You have take one of the most beautiful rifles ever made and done a very tasteful job on making it even better! My complete congratulations!

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Thanks Karl!

[@fredkading]

​@@TheWaytoNativeChronicleswould you sell it?

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

@@fredkading nope. Plan to hand it down and keep it in the family.

[@carloslalik4346]

Just Beautiful! Congratulations from Argentine Patagonia. Simplemente Hermoso!, felicitaciones desde la Patagonia Argentina

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

From Canada, thanks Carlos!

[@billrea66]

Beautiful # 1 . I have one in 25/06 . Almost bought a 45/110 rolling block but I waited too long .

[@Jerseyhighlander]

That rifle is a work of art. Love that little chest of drawers behind it too.

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Thanks. And that chest of drawers is about as old as me (I'm 65). Handed down from my father.

[@stevenlawson9460]

Very nice some very good work was put into that rifle

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Yes, that rifle's a work of art in my eyes. Not just a show piece, I take it out into the field for hunting moose all the time anyway!

[@stevenlawson9460]

@@TheWaytoNativeChronicles I bet it takes a moose down quick

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

@@stevenlawson9460 Been working pretty good so far!

[@35southkiwi16]

Heirloom rifle there. Very impressive. Hope your enjoying it.

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Heirloom is part of how I look at it as well. And, yes, really enjoy using this gun. Cheers.

[@englebertpumpernickel859]

What an amazingly beautiful rifle!

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Thanks!

[@daviddahl4148]

That is truly a beautiful rifle!

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Sorry about the (very) late reply, I somehow missed your comment. Thanks David. The world needs more beauty in it!

[@custink22]

Absolutely beautifully made rifle, and beautifully maintained. I bet its a great shooter too.

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Thanks and, yes, it's a very good shooter as well Justin.

[@custink22]

@@TheWaytoNativeChronicles youre very welcome. It was a pleasure to see it. Thank you for showing off such a beautiful and beautifully functional piece of artwork.

[@flintrichards945]

Very nice rifle what a beautiful stock very nicely done.

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Sorry about the (very) late reply, I somehow missed your comment. Thanks. The place it was made is in Oregon, now named Copeland Guns (or something like that).

[@Rigzly23]

I do believe Mr. Quigley would be jealous :) Beautiful rifle you have there.

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Sorry about the (very) late reply, I somehow missed your comment. Thanks Patrick. Quigley Down Under is one of my favourite movies of all time.

[@fanbatcher]

I own one in .44 Magnum and it’s super compact and fun just to plink with set up with a Skinner aperture sight.

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Since there's just a falling block and no bolt, a No. 1 sure can be made compact and light, if need be.

[@freedomle4022]

Best lookin’ no1 I’ve ever seen.

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Sorry about the (very) late reply, I somehow missed your comment. Thanks, I'm glad to hear that.

[@davidscholting9964]

I love your Ruger No 1. I had to watch your vid when it said 45-120. That's got to have an extra heavy barrel profile.

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Yes, the barrel is extra heavy alright; a Douglas barrel with a 1 in 22" twist. Helps nicely to soak up the recoil. I think the rifle's in the neighbourhood of 11 pounds.

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

Love the ruger number one mines in 25/06 shoots 3/8 groups at 100 meteres

[@ewynn951]

An amazingly beautiful specimen you got there. I too would like my very one semi-custom Ruger No.1. It'll be similarly equipped (rebarreled, adjustable tang sight and all) but in a 45-70 and bone charcoal case coloring.

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Sorry about the (very) late reply, I somehow missed your comment. Yep, the rifle would be nice in .45-70 too. In fact, Ruger did make the No. 1's in .45-70 at one time, so you might be able to start off with that.

[@auntiefiat9769]

Stunning rifle!

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Sorry about the (very) late reply, I somehow missed your comment. Thanks Tim!

[@anthonywithem2272]

Stunning 😍

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

You're welcome Anthony.

[@anthonywithem2272]

I just dated mine it was made in 1987 also,it was passed down to me and was unfired,im breaking her in and hoping to harvest a deer with her this year,I put a minor scuff mark on the butt stock on this pirfect beauty and it got me down and out for a while but I guess I'm making her mine. Im torn on hunting with it but you told me to enjoy her so I will,I have several broken in hunting rifles but its just something about the ruger no1 that has captured me.God bless you.....ps I watch this video all the time you have a beautiful rifle.

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

@@anthonywithem2272 thanks for that insight. Yep, take that gun in the field and make memories with it! As far as stock damage goes, you can probably fix it. I did that for my other No. 1. First I removed the original finish and then, with a damp cloth over the dented/scratched area, I held laundry iron just above it to cause the steam to penetrate the wood. That then raises the grains again. A little sanding afterwards and refinishing the stock and it's back to brand new.

[@anthonywithem2272]

@@TheWaytoNativeChronicles thanks for the tip. Its minor normal use in the woods so im gonna let it be,I just restored the wood on my old 336 marlin. I did a hand rubbed oil finish that was beautiful,when I put it wack together I took it out and scratched it the first time out 😆, I guess its just gonna happen down here in these Florida scrub woods.

[@me_92other42]

Beautiful. When it comes to bikes and guns, there's no substitute for cubic inches. Ever try paper patching it?

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

No, I've paper-patched bullets for my 7mm BR rounds before, but haven't done so (yet) for this one. It might be a good idea though since, with paper-patch, I could use a much softer lead alloy, which would expand more on game. But, as you hinted with the "cubic inches", a 45 caliber bullet already punches a pretty big hole through in any case. Even without mushrooming, probably about as large as a 30 cal. bullet (but with more foot-lbs of energy). Large caliber is the way to go when it comes to hunting with cast bullets, in my opinion. Such bullets don't like high velocity much, so you make up for that with larger bullet size.

[@280AI]

Could you please tell me what you had to give for the custom Ruger number one.

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

It was a few thousand Doreen, due to the custom work (engraving, stock) that went into it.

[@roeng1368]

stunning !

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Thanks.

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

I have a winchester 45/90

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

Ah, the 1886 model. Nice. I've been hunting with a Model 1894 for nearly 45 years now (it was the first Christmas present my wife gave me, after we were married).

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

@@TheWaytoNativeChronicles mine is the new one made in japan

[@TheWaytoNativeChronicles]

@@wilmamcdermott3065 From what I hear, the new ones made in Morrocco Japan are of exceptionally high quality.

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

@@TheWaytoNativeChronicles yup still like my model 94 easyer to carry mine is in 3855

[@wilmamcdermott3065]

@@TheWaytoNativeChronicles the 1886 is well built leverguns 50/110 tells me 50thousand psi loads same as ur ruger