SmallCaliberCentral

Hey guys,

Would a Ruger No. 1 Varmint be a good platform to re-chamber to a 20 VT? I really like the look of this rifle and am planning to get one soon.

If it would be, what calibers would work for the conversion?


Thank You

A No.1 would be an excellent candidate for a 20VT. You'll want a 12-twist barrel, so a donor 223 Varmint would be the perfect platform. I've got a good shooting No.1V in 223, and I'm seriously considering making it my second 20VT soon.



The nice thing about using a No1 for that conversion, is that you could use virtually any No.1 with no breach face or bolt face mods, just rebarrel and be done. But if you use a 223V, nothing required except for setback and rechamber = easy/cheap.

If you decide to go ahead, give some thought to replacing the factory trigger and doing the necessary forend glassing/floating to guarantee you'll get the kind of accuracy the 20VT is fully capable of in a good rifle.

Thanks for the info Rick.

The fact that I could use any caliber for a donor rifle is good to know because I'm seeing more rifles in 22-250, 220 Swift, 6mm, etc., than 223.

I'll have to give some more thought to holding out for a 223, setting it back and rechambering as I was just planning on rebarreling with a match barrel. It might be worth saving the $$$ there and applying it elsewhere regarding accurizing the rifle.

Jonsey, keep in mind, that if you use a No.1 for a 20VT build, you'll have to rebarrel no matter what. Re-reading my post above, I made the mistake of saying you could just set back and rechamber if you used a 223 donor, but the bore would be a .22 cal bore, not a .20...... it's rebarrel no matter what you start out with when using a No.1 for a 20VT.

Sorry for the mis-speak.....my error.

Rick in Oregon wrote:Jonsey, keep in mind, that if you use a No.1 for a 20VT build, you'll have to rebarrel no matter what. Re-reading my post above, I made the mistake of saying you could just set back and rechamber if you used a 223 donor, but the bore would be a .22 cal bore, not a .20...... it's rebarrel no matter what you start out with when using a No.1 for a 20VT.

Sorry for the mis-speak.....my error.

No problem. Thanks for clarifying.

Appreciate the info and I'm looking forward to building a 20 VT. Now I just gotta find a used Ruger No. 1V for a good price.

While you're on the hunt for a No.1, also keep in mind that a used Ruger No.3 carbine is the exact same action, just a different finger lever in a utility stock with carbine barrel w/irons. Factory (nice) No.1 wood or aftermarket will fit on the No.3 rifle also.

These rifles can usually be had for much less than a No.1, and make for excellent custom rifles with new barrel and wood. I used one for my .17 Ackley Hornet project a while back, used a Pac-Nor SS Super Match barrel, B&C synthetic stock, re-bent the finger lever to work with a pistol grip stock, and wha-la, a budget custom walkabout rifle that shoots better than I can.



Good luck with the quest.