Thanks for the info on the #1, Ray! I wasn't aware of so much variation in bore diameter among .404s.

I'd prefer a bolt gun, if possible, like a little used Parker-Hale, so we'll see.

If the .404 #1 is built on Ruger's Tropical model, I believe those are heavy contoured 24" barrels, except for the .45-70, which is a 22" tube.

I've done some research on the .404 while I've been looking around. A number of sources confirm that the original loading used a 400gn bullet at a relatively tame 2125 fps for 4020 ft-lbs of M.E. (A 300gn load went 2625 fps for 4595 ft-lbs of M.E.).

Some of these sources also suggest that with modern powders, brass & bullets, you can get that 400gn load to 2300 fps without much difficulty, but then I'm sure things increase noticably on the receiving end. No doubt Ray's 400gn load doing 2653fps from a 26" barrel makes sighting-in off a bench as much fun as a root canal without novicane.