No. 1 Big Bore - Decision made - 405 Win - Picture added

[Buckeye Bill]

I have:

No.1 B .223
No.1 V 6MM
No.1 A 6.5x55
No.1 A 7x57
No. 1 RSI 7x57
No.1 A 30.06

I do not have anything in the "big bore" side of the house. Any suggestions on a "big bore" No.1?

 

[Base Pin Maker]

I've been happy with my .475 Linebaugh, running a 400 gr. bullet at 1750 fps, still comfortable.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Interesting. I did not know anything about 475 Linebaugh until your reply to my post. I searched it and found an interesting artical in Wikipedia.

 

[gewehrfreund]

You cannot go wrong with a 1H in 375 H&H if that's what you consider big bore.

Recoil is managable, brass and bullets are relatively cheap compared with the larger calibers (and there is a good variety of cast bullets available), and it's a classic cartridge that can do it all. Some will no doubt vote for the 1S in 45-70, and it makes a great short-range, one-shot hunting gun, but I find this variation too light and short (barrel) for general use.

 

[cellar701]

A No. 1H in .405 Winchester is an interesting combination - not the choice of many, but it works for me!

 

[Buckeye Bill]

More interesting reading. The 375 H&H has a long history. The longer range capability is a plus.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

There is a 405 Win in a local shop that has my finger prints on it. More history lessons for me.

 

[BlkHawk73]

A No. 1H in .405 Winchester is an interesting combination - not the choice of many, but it works for me!

I was to recommend the same. To me the #1 is perfect in these older classic cartridges. Perfect combinations. If not the .405, the .45-70 or .458WM. Any of these can be big boomers or loaded down to a more leisurely load. 8)

 

[TnTnTn]

Maybe it is a medium bore but I really like my 9.3x74R. TTT

 

[picketpin]

With what you have and HUNTING in North America in mind I would look at

7mm STW
300 H&H (I don't own one) I wildcattted a 30-338 instead.
300 Win Mag
338 Win Mag
375 H&H

All are useful for relatively heavy bullets with high ballistic coefficients (.500+) that shoot relatively flat at long range and still don't knock the stuffing out of you.

Of the above list the 7mm STW a with 175s and the 30H&H or 300 Win Mag with 180s shoot about as flat as you can get with excess recoil.

I've owned all the bigger ones except 405 and anything metric but 416 on up are thumers and they recoil. Yes you can load them down. Whuich is exactly what I see most guys that own them doing. So if you need to load it down to hunt comfortably with it, why start their in the first place. Additionally the really big stuff has a terrible re-sale value and are slow movers on the market.


I've owned #1 is the cartridges below. Way back in the 70s I hunted Roosevelt Elk in the thich stuff in Oregon and Washington. After I moved home there simply wasn't any application for it,

I shot exactly ONE Rocky Mountain Elk and a Shiras moose with the 416 Remington. Both died. The rifle was heavy and kicked like Hell and would have been just as dead with my 33* #1 "S".

416 Remington
416 Rigby
45-70
458

All were bigger than anything I was going to hunt in North America and all shoot big balls of lead and that translates to recoil IF you stoke them to anything near their potential. As there is no Cape Buffalo season in Idaho their need/use eventually slipped into the joke catagory and only got fired at the ranch when somebody wanted to shoot "Something BIG". The they got full power loads and we got to watch and laugh.

When I turned 60 I sold everything bigger than my 338 Win Mag.

In our polls the 45-70 is the second most popular #1. Of that over 90% use it for cast bullets and or reduced loads.


If I were to buy I'd get the 7mm STW in the factory stainless/lamnate "B"
The rest in factory "S" except the 375 in "H" configuration.

The it can be loaded down has never made much sense to me. If I want something that shoots that mild, then that's what I'd buy just like magnum pistols that are seldom shot full bore neither are most of the things bigger than the 375 H&H.

Now this doesn't address the "I've always wanted one" market which has nothing or a t least little to do with need or use. If there is a boomer that fits that bill for you, buy it.

Ross

 

[mike-c]

Greetings,

The 45-70 is a good choice, but it is a bit light with heavy loads. A big bore with the heavy barrel weighs about a pound more than the medium barrel of the 45-70. Because there are so many 45-70's out there, I would suggest the 405 Winchester with the heavy barrel, or any of the other calibers with the heavy barrel. I recently purchased the 416 RCM in a number one, and the extra weight is quite helpful with the recoil of the big slugs.

Take care,

Mike 8)

 

[gatling]

I like the 45 70. I always shoot pretty light loads in it, too (my favorite is with Unique pistol powder). It's fun, and it's accurate.

 

[Bigboreshooter]

Maybe it is a medium bore but I really like my 9.3x74R. TTT

+1

 

[four70nitro]

.375 H&H is a classic medium bore, and the .45-70 is a very flexible big bore. Either is a great choice, though the .375 would probably be my choice if I was only going to buy one -- however I have both......

 

[captainkirk]

I vote for the 458 (win). No longer cataloged, they can be had at reasonable prices, particularly when sold by those who have only fired factory ammo through them. I bought mine primarily as a cast-bullet gun with reduced loads. I treat it as a heavy barreled 45-70. It can be loaded to full potential if necessary, but I have not yet found it necessary... SR4759 is your friend!

captainkirk

 

[Yosemite Sam]

Having just returned from the range where I shot my No. 3 in .45-70 (among others) I'd have to cast my vote for that caliber. Several people shot it, everyone was impressed, and really impressed with the big cartridges.

I load it down with 350gr cast slugs and Trailboss powder, and you could shoot it all day if you wanted. Even the 405gr "Trapdoor safe" rounds from Remington are relatively comfortable. OTOH, the Hornady LeverRevolution 325gr rounds will just about dislocate your shoulder, or as my shooting buddy suggested, detach a retina. They look like lipstick tubes, or mini-missles. Great stuff, though!

-- Sam

 

[Corbi]

Nice collection. You are missing a 1S and a 1H.

I would go with a 45/70.

Corbi

 

[Ruger1nut]

I am not sure you can go wrong with either the 45-70 or 375 H&H.
Both are great choices.

You might also consider the 475 Turnbull if you want something a bit more unique.

Dave

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Thanks everyone!

I have a large amount of information to work with and new considerations that I did not have before. There is a local 405 win that has been sitting for a while. I would have no problem finding any of the suggestions that were offered. 45-70, 375 H&H, 9.3x74R, 458 and 338. Thanks for taking to time to provide your thoughts. I enjoy this forum!

 

[Jeff Quinn]

I agree with Kelye on the 475 Number One. It handles and balances beautifully! Comes to the shoulder like a good bird gun, and has plenty of power. recoil is relatively light, and with the Belt Mountain Punch bullets, I would take on any game animal on earth.

Here is the link to my review for more detail on the rifle:
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-No1-475L.htm

 

[Base Pin Maker]

Hi Jeff, let me know how the new bullets for the ruger 475 work for you. Thanks, Kelye

 

[Jeff Quinn]

Hi Jeff, let me know how the new bullets for the ruger 475 work for you. Thanks, Kelye

I will do so. I plan to update the review with that bullet information.

Jeff

 

[THE .41 MAN]

THE .41 MAN
Single-Sixer


Joined: 19 Dec 1999
Posts: 280
Location: Ca. USA
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 8:46 pm Post subject: Big Bores

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I got rid of the .458Win Mag M70 SG Winchester 'cause it was eating up my finger bones. Traded a pristine 1-H in .416Rigby for my custom revolver. A friend is selling the SS/Lam #1 in .405Winchester for me. What I've got left is a customized Ruger #1-H in .400Jeffrey. I shoot everything from 170grJHCs to 400gr. Woodleighs through it. It's a cannon yet doesn't break anything on my poor old body. If I were younger, it would be fun to have something of the 50 cal. persuasion.
_________________
Brian aka THE .41 MAN

HAVE MORE FUN AND GET THE JOB DONE WITH A .41

 

[Joe S.]

not a factory offering but i hope to have one in 444 marlin before this upcoming deer season... we'll see how that goes... :roll:

 

[TonyRumore]

I just picked up a 24" 1-H in 450 Nitro Express. Haven't shot the thing yet.
Seems odd that Ruger made the thing so light (7.56 pounds.) The load data I have shows a 500 grain Hornady RN running 2550fps from a 23" barrel. I'm afraid it might detach a retina or something with a load like that in a 7.5 pound rifle.

Tony Rumore
Tromix

 

[parliament]

just put a 458 lott in the classifieds! :wink:

 

[Silent Sam]

I don't believe Ruger ever made a 450NE. I don't believe the 450NE gets pushed that hard either. Closer to 2100 than 2500fps. They do make a 450-400NE. 400gr bullet @ 2000-2100 fps. I have one but have not shot it. It's the only Ruger I own that I haven't shot so I can't tell you how it handles but expect it would be no more than a hot heavy bullet 45-70 load, probably less as it comes in the Tropical. It IS a classic Africa big bore cartridge with a long history and was considered capable on most any game and also very useable on longer shots than bigger bores. The flexibility of the 375 H&H superseded it but it is still a very effective round and arguably better than the 375 on truly large dangerous game. Stand by for sticker shock if you buy ammo for any of the big bores. They are fun though.

 

[TonyRumore]

They made 250 of them.

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-No1LION.htm

 

[Silent Sam]

I forgot about the Boddington guns.

 

[Buckeye Bill]

Thank you all for your posts. Still open to all options but I am looking at the 405 Win more closely. I do not have a H model and have read that added weight of H helps with recoil. 45-70 would be a wiser selection but there is something to be said for unique chambering's. I will most likely not be going to Africa for a hunt. I like big bore rifles for closer range hunting in tight spaces. Just looking for a chambering in the upper limit of bullet weight and knock down power. My research continues.