Ruger #1 .475 Linebaugh vs 45-70?

[Matabele]

Hi all,

Im thinking about getting a big bore #1...and just wonder what your opinions are of these two chamberings. It seems the 475 can do pretty much what the 45-70 can do, and with a larger bullet diameter...except perhaps with the heaviest bullets. Am I correct in this assumption?

Which one would you go for and why?

Thanks!

 

[Quattroclick]

No question that I would go for the 45-70. There is no good reason to hamstring yourself with a smaller case capacity. If I felt I needed more than the 45-70 could provide, I would find a 458 Win, or a 470 NE #1.

 

[mike7mm08]

I have a number one in 475. With lighter bullets it is no problem getting normal 45/70 velocities. With heavier bullets it drops way off and with lighter bullets you can not get "ruger" 45/70 velocities. That said the 475 was designed for deep penetration at pistol velocities which it achieves excellently. The extra velocity of the rifle barrel only makes it better. Checkout the link and you will see there is very very few 45/70 loads that out perform the 475. The only advantage I can see of the 45/70 is it will be slightly flatter shooting with certain loads. But under 150 yards you are not going to see a difference. http://www.handloads.com/misc/linebaugh.penetration.tests.asp

 

[Ltdshooter]

I have a No. 1 in 475 Linebaugh as well and it is a Thumper! I'll go with the extra bore size of the 475 as either one is a close range - medium power rifle in my book and for me the Linebaugh is perfect for the tight cover of the Midwest whitetails or hogs that I like to put the hurt to.... I love the 45/70 as well but that 475 No. 1 is pretty nice. If I need more from a 45 or above caliber rifle the 458 Lott gets to stretch it's legs.

 

[Rumrunner]

Really IMHO the 45/70 is better. If you go with factory offerings only, there are far more forthe 45/70. Also the chance of finding comercial loads is far better for the 45/70. Iif reloading, selection of 45/70 bullets and their performance is still better.

Mike, the penetration tests are good, but they dont even use the most common 45/70 bullets, a 400 or 405 grain.

 

[mike7mm08]

Mike, the penetration tests are good, but they dont even use the most common 45/70 bullets, a 400 or 405 grain.

True but the 415 the closest to the common 45/70 loads is outdone by all weights of the 475. The 475 in one of those cartridges that just performs better than one thinks it would.

 

[four70nitro]

Loaded to its potential in a No. 1 (or No. 3 if you are masochistic) it is pretty tough to beat the 45-70 in the 400 grain and up weight bullets. 400, 450, 485, 500, 550, 600 grain bullets can be pushed fast enough that it is very unpleasant to stand behind them. I personally have no use for 300 grain bullets in a 45-70 -- if I want to shoot something in that range I'll use a .338 or a .375.

The .475 Linebaugh is a great cartridge from all that I have read, I have no personal experience with them. They basically duplicate 45-70 ballistics when the 45-70 is loaded for use in a trap-door Springfield.

Trapdoor loads do not produce anywhere near the velocity or energy of the loads a No. 1 can handle in any bullet weight. You can come within 2-300 hundred fps of duplicating .458 Win Mag ballistics with the 45-70 loaded to its potential in a No. 1.

I've owned both No. 1's and No. 3's in 45-70 and a No. 1 in 475 Linebaugh is on my list, but if I was going to pick one over the other there is no question I would choose the 45-70. It is an extremely versatile round that can be loaded from mild-to-wild with great success.

Dave

 

[Matabele]

Thanks for the replies...think Im going to have to flip a coin, too many choices :mrgreen: In all seriousness tho, Im also thinking off adding either a 9.3x74R or 450/400 to the collection so maybe the 475 would be a good intermediate, short range cruncher!

Thanks again.

 

[Rumrunner]

Matabele,

Let me add to your choices or confusion. Pekin Gun shop, in Pekin IL, has (at least had 2 weeks ago) a No 1 in 458 Win Mag. Used with beautiful wood, and it was marked at $650.00. NDITH

 

[Matabele]

Thanks for the info Rumrunner, $650 is a pretty good price :shock: I just like the idea of the old, classic chamberings in the #1 however.

 

[Ruger1nut]

I am faced with much the same choice except I may be selling one or the other. I have both and not sure I really need them both.

I will post one for sale here if I decide to part with one

Dave

 

[MMichaelAK]

Matabele,
I had a #3 in 45-70. Great little rifle but I sold it off to finance a Pedersoli 1874 Sharps 45-70.

The #3 or #1 for that matter in 45-70 will out perform the .475 like the guys said, due to case capacity. Gives you more room for finding the sweet spot with handloads in more bullet weights and can do more with heavy bullets.

And yes, all is right in Gundom with a 500 grain bullet in a Ruger single shot in 45-70.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

The 4570 has a bit more potential on the top end but the 475 should have no problem pushing 400s to 1500 in a #1 and theres NOTING on the planet that it isnt capable of killing at that level.

 

[Mokwaw]

Due to case length limits, for Indiana whitetail hunters. The .475 linebaugh can be used in a rifle. The 45-70 is limited to hand guns (so far).

 

[Matabele]

Hey guys I wanted to bump this to the top again and see if there are any fresh opinions out there regarding the 475 vs 45/70 debate? Especially considering Belt Mountains release of their 400gr Punch bullet that you can seat further out.

Any pics of the 475 rifles with targets and/or game taken is always welcome

 

[Watergoat]

I have both the 9.3x74R and the 26 inch bbl 45-70. Never shot a 475. That said, the 45-70 is still one of the most versatile cartridges around, as long as you handload. You can load round balls over a pinch of pistol powder for basement practice, on up to loads that will stomp a mudhole in you and your target. Bullets, in all types and weights, are going to be a lot easier to find. So is brass. My 45-70 shows good promise, at least with jacketed bullets. Haven't had time to really work up many loads yet. The 9.3 is one of the most accurate hunting rifles I have ever had; often two shots touching in a 3 shot group, hand held. I have yet to find a jacketed bullet it does NOT like.

If you are feeling extra virile, a local shop has a #1 458 rechambered to 460 Weatherby on the used rack. Be glad to get his phone number if you want to call......

 

[mike7mm08]

I have not tried the punch bullet. A bit expensive for my purposes. If have not already read it gunblast updated their review of the 475 #1 with info regarding the 400 grain punch bullet.

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-No1-475L.htm

Jeff is pushing the bullet at 2000 fps. Which is right inline with the 45/70 with a similar weight bullet. I am sure the 475 will have a slightly wider meplat and should in theory deliver more energy but possible penetrate a tad less. There really is no difference between the two cartridges now that this bullet is available. The 475 only fell behind when you got to the heavy loads, on the low to midrange it was already capable of matching the 45/70.

The only draw back of the 475 is availability of ammo. If you handload though it is now an extremely versatile thumper for damn near anything that walks.

 

[Base Pin Maker]

A little off topic, I have a new .510" diameter 500 gr. bullet of the same design as the 400 gr. 475. I have a 50 Alaskan built on a Ruger #1 that I am using as a test rifle for this bullet. Anyone have a mastodon to donate for bullet testing? Thanks, Kelye @ Belt Mtn

 

[mike7mm08]

Damn what kind of critters you got running around in Montana.

Kyle I like the heavy weights. But someone really needs to come out with a lightweight bullet for these calibers. A well constructed spitzer shaped bullet in say the 250 grain would be a hell of deer type bullet. A design similar to your heavy weights. Long for weight with just a small driving band. Of course it would have to be of conventional cup and core construction.Loaded long to allow lots of powder space.Be very flat shooting. Would think 2500 fps or better would be very doable.

 

[gunners]

The information I have is that the Linebaugh is a shortened 45-70 case from 2.1 inch down to 1.5(or 1.4) inches and the performance suffers accordingly. What 45-70 loads are you comparing it to, there are usually 3 classes of 45-70 loads. Trapdoor, Marlin lever action then Ruger No1. I'm currently running 350 grainers at about 2100 fps and about 3400ft/lb in a Marlin and they hurt and I'm just above the starting load. There's probably a good reason the GOV has been round for over 120 years. But sounds like you are already leaning towards the linebaugh if you want it get it. You don't even have to worry about brass just shorten some 45-70