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Hello, I tried this post in the single shot thread and got several responses that said "send it back to the maker". While appreciated, I believe some careful home gunsmithing can cure the problem. Any advice most appreciated. Thanks.

I have a 1976 Ruger No. 1 that was built as a 458 Winchester. SSK converted it to 450 Nitro #2 3&1/2".

I bought the rifle from a man who bought a large collection of Ruger big bores. He had never fired it. Along with the rifle came 50 Jamison cases, a new set of C&H dies and 30 odd Barnes originals in 600 gr.

Only having a 25 yard indoor range here where we winter, I made up some "gallery loads" with a Lg pistol primer 10 gr of TrailBoss, BP filler, a TC bore butter wad and a .457 roundball rolled in Lee Alox.

Put a Unertl Hawk from my collection on it and took it to the range and shot 20, off hand, at 2" squares @25 yards. Never missed and there was no fouling or leading. I'm guessing it's about like a 44 cap and ball revolver in power.

Every shell I dropped in fired without a hitch and every one went "pling" out the breech when the lever was dropped.

Now the issue. After shooting it, I dropped a fired empty in it and closed the breech. When I dropped the lever the case stayed in although the ejector activated. After some messing about, I found that the ejector was right next to but not under the rim if you just closed the rifle. If you dry or live fired it, the ejector was jarred enough to slip behind the rim and "pling" out they came.

The ejector is probably the 458 one with the hook modified to fit the 450. I also noted both the front and back of the ejector arm showed signs of stoning. As the ejector is pushed into place by the roller on the breechblock, I suspect the arm's front to back dimension is a skosh small and/or the case dimensions may vary from what SSK used when they converted it.

I bought two new 416 Rigby ejectors as they were the largest I could find for sale. I installed one and it works just fine when the rifle is empty. It will not go around that huge rim if a cartridge is in the chamber. Its front side of the hook is quite flat and I suspect it need some beveling to allow it to go around the case. (It will go if you ease the breech up while pushing the ejector to the left with a very thin punch)

Before I start messing about with this, I wonder if any of you have been down the same road and could offer some advice ?
While the ejectors are inexpensive, they are hard to find as Ruger won't sell you anything direct.

Yes I am a sucker for all No.1s with exceptional wood. Pretty lady is she not ?

Edited by CptCurl (13/03/13 09:35 PM)