My #1 is due in from Cabelas in two days. I live in Las Vegas and found a Boddington one in Reno for an asking price of $999.88. It's new with all the mod cons.

My main question is: Do you think the Hornady load will be sufficient for gophers?

I owned (until my nephew saw it) a #1 in .458 Lott. Great gun. Put a 500 gr solid from attitude to posterior on a Cape Buffalo. However, I wanted a Nitro rifle for my hunting, so the 450 NE fills the bill. I was going to re-chamber the .458 to .500, but J.D. Jones (SSK Industries) wanted $1970 to do it.

What's your opinion on the .450 NE caliber? I know it's more than sufficient for anything that steps in front of it. I also understand the cost difference in ammo from the 458 Lott to the .450 NE. What I'm interested in is your opinions. Like, should I have the safety reshaped? How about a Limbsaver - Mag-Na-Port - recoil reducer in the stock?

(signed: He who lives in 110 F. heat)