I think 26" is a happy medium, but it appears Ruger is missing a bet here by not offering something like No1A, No1B and No1C. With 22", 26", and 30" inch barrels. Short carbine, standard rifle and a long rifle option. The 45/70 with 26" barrel lists at 7 1/4 pounds and feels very good in my hands. I think this weight and over all length is in the ball park of my Marlin lever with 22 inch barrel and 1/2 magazine.

It does seem strange the 1A is a carbine with 22" and the 1S is the Medium and both have a 22" barrel. The Tropical's weight in at 9 or 9 1/4 pounds and so ridiculous heavy that seems all but useless except maybe in something like 458Lott where I image the weight is needed. I read some good reviews on the 450/400 right here. The 450/400 is 7 3/4 pounds! Why do they even call that a "tropical". Its is a Medium. That has a 24" barrel. Better than 22. The model name means nothing! Would you believe, the 375 lists at 9 1/4 pounds! I guess if you mess up the shot, it makes a dandy club.

I wonder, happy accident or somebody got Rugers ear and they made to 400 the right weight. And this 45/70 Lipsey rifle even better at 1/2 pound lighter while 2" longer.

They offer a 300H&H with a 26" barrel. Right. The got a 300Win mag with 22" barrel. Wrong. And both are called a No 1S, medium rifle.