Hello all,

Several months ago I bought my first Ruger #1 in 45-70. I like the stock and find accuracy to be very good. The trigger was so bad that I replaced it myself with the Moyer trigger replacement. It was challenging, but doable. I have had misfires all the way. My reloads have been checked and rechecked, but I always have a few. I shot off 20 rounds today and had two that misfired. These same rounds went ahead and fired in my 1895. I am reluctant to send it back to Ruger, because they will remove my trigger. Any ideas? the springs seem very tight. On taking the whole thing apart, I could find nothing wrong. Incidentally, this also occurs with the one box of ammo that was store bought. Anybody else ever have this problem? Do I need to tighten, replace something? Any ideas would be most helpful.

Thanks

David

You know I gotta ask: did it give you those missfires with the standard (although horrible) Ruger trigger?

Built a 6.5 on a #3 action, and fitted a Canjar set trigger...it's not impossible to change #1 triggers (and the #3 is more or less the same thing) but some times it takes a little twedking to get it all running right.

You bet.

One of the reasons I decided to tear it apart was the misfires. I see no history of anybody talking about this, so I'm thinking something is amiss. The ammo I used is that PMC higher pressures stuff. I have used only Winchester standard rifle primers. Thinking about using Federal match.

You bet.

One of the reasons I decided to tear it apart was the misfires. I see no history of anybody talking about this, so I'm thinking something is amiss. The ammo I used is that PMC higher pressures stuff. I have used only Winchester standard rifle primers. Thinking about using Federal match.

I'd put the factory trigger back in ans send it off to Ruger.

But if you want to go looking:
1. Be sure the ammo mathes the headspace...on thing about Ruger #1's, they don't have an excess of firing pin protursion.
2. Check the mainspting for any rub marks on it's strut...or for uneven coiling (just lay it out and check to be sure the sapcing between coils is about the same...except for the dead ends).
3. look for any rub marks or burrs at any of the pivot points and along the outside of the mnainspring...anything that robbs the spring of power has to be fixed.
4. Check the firing pin for free travel and "gunk" limiting it's motion...take out the breech block and soak it.

Thanks Ribbonstone. I am obviously no gunsmith, but you can kind of cover a lot of this when putting in that trigger. I will take the trigger out and send it in. Obviously in over my head. I just hate to take that trigger out. You could jerk the rifle's full weight and bounce it on your finger and not get it to go off. I don't have anything to check the headspacing, but I would guess it is that or the length/protrusion of the firing pin. Maybe Ruger will be amazed at their trigger! I'll have a spare to use on my next one after they tweek it! This makes my 3rd Ruger to send in. My Marlins have been much more ready to go from the start.

Thanks Ribbonstone. I am obviously no gunsmith, but you can kind of cover a lot of this when putting in that trigger. I will take the trigger out and send it in. Obviously in over my head. I just hate to take that trigger out. You could jerk the rifle's full weight and bounce it on your finger and not get it to go off. I don't have anything to check the headspacing, but I would guess it is that or the length/protrusion of the firing pin. Maybe Ruger will be amazed at their trigger! I'll have a spare to use on my next one after they tweek it! This makes my 3rd Ruger to send in. My Marlins have been much more ready to go from the start.
Think a note to Ruger about both the missfires and the trigger weight would be in order...considering the older #1's and #3's had pretty decent triggers out of the box, it isn't as if Ruger doesn;t know how to make them right...they just elect not to.

Howdy, I have early #1's in 45-70, and 375 H&H, and have never had a missfire with either one. Does seem like the firing pin strike on the 45-70 is a bit lite on the primer, but they all go off. Think I would talk with Ruger.

Paul

Hi Dr. A,

The trigger pull could result from mis-adjustment of the trigger overtravel screw. It's worth a shot to adjust it a half-turn before sending it in.

The mis-fires might possibly be caused by the ammunition. Buy a box of something else and try it to see if the problem persists.

If these ideas fail, let me know. I KNOW we can figure out the issue.

Live well

Just got it back from Ruger. They replaced the hammer strut spring... To test this weekend.

Dr. A,
How did your test go last weekend?

Sorry, guys, the gun shoots great. Had no misfires in 40 rounds. Those were painful rounds! All I had loaded were 350gr.Hornady Roundnose at 2200fps! I tried a few with some different primers. All fired perfectly. Ruger said of course that they could find nothing wrong. I guess thats why they replaced that spring. I really like this gun. I think I need another caliber in it.

Dr. A,

Glad your 45-70 problem is resolved. Seeing as to how badly you beat me with that 45-70, I was sort of hoping that you'd get rid of it before JB's next match.

Did you post your elk hunt story anywhere? Some of us non-travelers are curious about your results.

Best regards,

"This makes my 3rd Ruger to send in. My Marlins have been much more ready to go from the start."

That's why I don't own any Rugers any more! Most were a pain in the butt.

Dr. A,

Noticed the comment about how the heavy loads HURT! Had a #3 .45-70 years ago and had the same experience. If I had wanted to just shoot trapdoor level loads I would have just shot the trapdoor I have. The unfortunate thing about the #1 .45-70 is that it is just the #3 fancied up, it still weighs next to nothing with that big hole through it.

My recent (Friday) answer to the recoil problemwas to buy the #1 heavy barrel .45-70! Yeah, they roll mark it .458 Winchester Magnum, and the brass isn't quite the same, but there isn't anything that the .45-70 will do that can't be done with the .458!. I'll guarantee the 9 1/2# weight will be a lot more comfortable with even class 3 .45-70 equivalent loads, and there is still a little more to go after you get there.

FWIW, without any work the trigger on this gun is an even 5#. A little heavy for a target gun, but for what the cartridge was intended for that is a quite reasonable field weight trigger. It's nice and crisp too, especially for a Ruger. I really expected a trigger you could tow a truck with based on experience with other Ruger guns over the past several years.

Believe it or not, I have already looked at one. Paul Mathews in one of his books, uses one with an appropriate dose of duplexed black powder and finds them useful with his little experiments there. I agree, it would be more comfortable to shoot. In the last couple of weeks, I have regressed my power to the point that I am now using a 2050fps load and that 350gr. bullet. While a still a kicker of a load, I find that I can shoot as much as I need to with this combo. It is the most accurate combination I have in the non-cast variety loads. I now just have to wait a bit on the buying. This is my slow time (at work), and I have plenty of guns and loads to keep me busy through my leaner winter times. I no :cool: :D longer shoot these from a bench. I am fairly large, and find being hunched over a table is not condusive to comfortable heavy recoil shooting. I prefer to shoot in field positions, and leaning against a platform standing. This easily enables me to shoot that guns hottest loads. I really never imagined I would enjoy a single shot that much. :p I have also learned the small bores are not as much fun as they used to be. I much prefer the challenge of the trajectory differences of the big bores.

The singles sure are fun.

Sorry to hear about your troubles with the 45-70.
I have a 375H&H #1 that I love. I just wish Ruger would get it together and make all of their triggers like the one it has.

I agree. Shooting from the bench with these things gets a bit old with the heavier loads they can take. After 30 full power 300 grain loads I am a bit rummy. It forces you to use good habits or it punishes you.

A buddy has the #3 in 45-70. Never, ever, ever, (I forget how many evers there are) let it get a running start.