New "kinda" lever in a Classic African Caliber(Pic

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Fri May 16, 2008 10:18 pm

Today, I picked up a Ruger No.1 in 9.3x74R. Blued with a sweet looking walnut stock. Of course ammunition being found locally is out of the question, so it's going to have to be ordered. I'm away from my computer so I can't post pics. (Turkey Hunting) So when I get home I promise to post a few pics of this great looking "kinda" levergun.

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Fri May 16, 2008 10:51 pm

Shawn, great choice in rifle and caliber. I hope you can handload because ammo prices have really soared lately. I know my 375 H&H stuff has become more expensive. Online prices will hopefully be much better if you shop around. I've almost purchased a #1 a few times. I look forward to your pics and range report!

-Tutt

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Fri May 16, 2008 11:09 pm

Congratulations. That ought to be a sweet rifle.

I bought a #1 in 405 Win. a while back, my first #1. I haven't done a lot of shooting with it yet, but it looks like one I'll be hanging on to.

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Sat May 17, 2008 3:09 am

Congrats on a nice rifle and caliber

!

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Sat May 17, 2008 4:19 am

These guys probably have the best "deal" in 9.3 x 74R ammo, reloading components too.
http://www.grafs.com/ammo/285
http://www.grafs.com/metallic/825
http://www.grafs.com/product/194789

I always wanted to get a No. 1 in 45-70 and ream it out to 45-120.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sat May 17, 2008 5:42 am

I have a #1 in .308 and it is sweeeet!

Those are truly the pride of Ruger and they should be. Mine shot great right out of the box too.

Forgive my ignorance on the 9.3 but does it go by another name as well?

Like Ji, I have been playing with the idea of another #1 but this one will be in .45-70. But then there's the #1 in .223 that keeps calling my name as well.

I know one thing, they sure do grow on ya.

Wes · Post by **Wes** » Sat May 17, 2008 7:33 am

If I remember right Hornady makes components and ammo for this caliber. Ruger #1 rifles are real nice. I got one in a trade that in 270 WBY and it shoots under 3/4" (sometimes 1/2"). I'd love one in a caliber like that or 405 but they're hard on the pocket book. Super well made rifles.

Post by **Hobie** » Sat May 17, 2008 9:01 am

I think you got the #1 in one of the chamberings for which it truly should have been intended. It is classic, it is usable where you live, it is rimmed, and now it is in the #1. I hope you have many happy years with that rifle.

86er · Post by **86er** » Sat May 17, 2008 7:22 pm

great gun in a great caliber. I saw at Cabelas, RWS Ammo (247 gr) and Hornady (286 gr). Both were $40 something per box of 20,, not too bad overall if you are buying once and reloading ten times. The caliber is not actually from or for Africa, it is European. It was a stand in cartridge for African game for many years. Not as powerful as the 375 H&H but certainly adequate for all plains game. It has taken many buffalo and larger, but it should be considered a stalking cartridge, not a stopping cartridge. You will love it once you get to know it!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sat May 17, 2008 10:07 pm

Can't wait to see those pictures!!!

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Sun May 18, 2008 8:39 pm

Here are the pics as promised. I'm looking for ammo right now. I had to throw in a couple knives and a coyote hide. [/img]

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Sun May 18, 2008 9:15 pm

Pictures were well worth the wait

!A very nice rifle

!

piller · Post by **piller** » Sun May 18, 2008 9:18 pm

Very nice. Hope to hear a range report and an after hunt report sometime soon.

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Sun May 18, 2008 9:35 pm

Shawn, your killing me, and making me ponder getting a #1 all over again!

-Tutt

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Sun May 18, 2008 9:39 pm

If I luck up and get a Ky elk permit this year this is going to be one of the rifles that make the trip down. I'm leaning toward a 3-9 Leupold VX-I for the scope. I have a box of Norma Plastic Point 285gr ammo on the way. So hopefully this weekend I can get a range report in. I'd like to find some hard cast bullets for this baby. And some dies.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sun May 18, 2008 9:48 pm

Yep - that's cool!

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Sun May 18, 2008 10:06 pm

Shawn, glad to hear you reload! The price for the cases posted by Ganjiro were actually pretty good, especially for Norma brass (which I can highly recommend!). It is quite a bit cheaper than my Norma 375 H&H that I use. I would be sure to chronograph that new Norma ammo to use it for comparison purposes for your handloads. Also, according to data I found at Accurate Arms (I think it was), the 9.3 is a reletively low pressure round with no SAMMI spec, so it can likely be loaded much hotter than factory (I want to say it was 43K, but you will have to check that). Anyhow, a great caliber, and one you can have a lot of fun with!

-Tutt

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Sun May 18, 2008 10:26 pm

Tutt, I think all the data I've seen has been in the low 40's range 40,000-43,000. So there may be room for hotrodding, I know the No.1 is able to withstand the mighty magnums.

Thanks everyone for the comments, it's my first ever No.1 and I'm liking it! It handles very well and seems to float to the shoulder. It's heft makes it very steady also. It does seem to be alittle muzzle heavy which helps it swing very well. All in all I'm very pleased with it. Now if it just shoots.....

Ravenman · Post by **Ravenman** » Mon May 19, 2008 8:42 am

Shawn,
Great gun and amazing cartridge. I am sure you will love the performance on game. Also very accurate.
Have a Blaser S2 double rifle in 9.3x74R. Let us know how your Ruger No.1 groups.

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Mon May 19, 2008 5:52 pm

Ravenman, that's just wrong! I've always wanted a nice double.

gon2shoot · Post by **gon2shoot** » Mon May 19, 2008 9:10 pm

Thats sure a purty gun but, I think ya need to quit taking pictures and feed your dog.

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:55 pm

My ammo just showed up today. Norma 285gr. Plastic Point. Now just find a scope, and hopefully I'll have a range report this weekend.

Bruce Scott · Post by **Bruce Scott** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:03 pm

Colour me green!

Very GREEN x 2

Beautiful rifles!

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Fri May 23, 2008 2:55 am

Here is a little interesting writeup on th african Hunting info website on the 9.3 X 74R http://africanhuntinginfo.com/modules/w ... ticleid=69

I can't wait for your range report shawn.

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Fri May 23, 2008 2:24 pm

Pretty cool article, looks like the 9.3x74R is kinda the 30-06 of Europe or would .338 Win Mag would be better?

pharmseller · Post by **pharmseller** » Fri May 23, 2008 7:18 pm

Beautiful wood on the Ruger #1!
I'm a fan as well (300 WBY Mag)

Quinn

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:18 am

The bottom was used for sighting in and the middle for checking the group

Here you can see what a 285gr Plastic Point does.

This is what the same bullet does to 3/8" steel at 100 yards.

I now have alot of confidence in this caliber, if I ever get the chance for a costal brown bear I could take this rifle and not feel under gunned. I think it's definately going out for the early bear season in September.

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:41 pm

Shawn, For a first Ruger No1 you have a great one. I ve been twidlin my thumbs waiting for some kind of deal on a No1 in that caliber. The wood on your rifle looks great. congratulations.

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:57 pm

Congrats! Great rifle and classic cartridge.

For those not familiar with this one - think 35 Whelan. The diameter of the bullets are a bit larger at .366 but its balistically very similar. Same for the 9.3x62 and 9.3x64 - though that last one is quite a bit more energetic.

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 1:08 pm

Thanks alot Dr. I've been wanting to get a range report up for some time now, but I feel it was well worth it. This was the first trip to the range for this rifle. I recently pickeed up the new Barnes manual with some great loads for the 9.3x74R. They have 250gr. TSX and solid, 286gr. TSX and solid also. I see myself trying those 250's in the very near future.

They list the 250gr TSX with Varget 53.5 @ 2296fps-57gr @ 2443fps. RL15 53.5 @2282 and 57.5 @ 2434fps. Quite impressive. That equals about 2926fp of knockdown @ 2296fps and 3312fp @ 2443fps.

I think it's found a home!

Post by **Old Savage** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:15 pm

Friend of mine bought one - loves it - it is a beautiful rifle and seems like a natural in that caliber, maybe the best use of that rifle.

New "kinda" lever in a Classic African Caliber(Pic

New "kinda" lever in a Classic African Caliber(Pic

Re: New "kinda" lever in a Classic African Caliber Rng Rpt

Re: New "kinda" lever in a Classic African Caliber(Pic

Re: New "kinda" lever in a Classic African Caliber(Pic

Re: New "kinda" lever in a Classic African Caliber(Pic

Re: New "kinda" lever in a Classic African Caliber(Pic