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I've owned a pile of rifles (too many really), many in Big Bores, and most in .45-70. These include things like .300s, .338s, .375s and .458s. My very best Big Bore IS and has been a Ruger #1 in .45-70. Actually, I've owned 2. The first was slightly used and is now in the ownership of our second son. The second was NIB and I had it long-throated by .30-inch over 10 years ago.

A couple of things: 1) You NEED to handload to get the best it has to offer. STOP fooling around with factory stuff IF you expect the BEST.

2) That rifle, according to Ruger and head ballisticians that I know, is as strong as a .458 Win Mag and with the right loads will just about duplicate it! I sent my loads to a well-known powder company in the USA who tested them and they were surprised that it EQUALED a .458 WM. That was with an original 22" tube on the first #1 Ruger. The comment to me by the chief ballistics engineer was "You have just reinvented the .458 Winchester Magnum... What was the recoil like?"

My point is: The #1 Ruger in .45-70 is capable of MOA right out of the box with loads that create pressures intended for Big Bores. I've owned 2, as stated, a used and a new, and now for 10 years an "Improved", and I've NEVER had the forend off of any of them and they all would shoot MOA with the right stuff... including a 350 TSX at max velocity of OVER 2500 fps from my "Improved" version. My son owned a #3 in .45-70 and would shoot the same loads with the same accuracy.

Regarding Hornady's loads for the #1 in .45-70... You had better compare those with Lyman's with the same loads for the 500gr Hornady BEFORE you put much stock in Hornady's claims as to CUP!!!

At 1879 fps from the 500gr Hornady, the CUP is a MILD 39,100 from a 26" according to Lyman's manuals. If wanted, that can easily be boosted to 50,000 CUP, or more. (Multiply CUP by 1.18X for PSI). The Ruger #1 action will easily handle 60,000+ PSI.

You don't NEED to fool around with the mechanics of the rifle to obtain good loads. I've owned enough #1 Rugers to know that. If you want mild accurate loads, get into handloading for it. (And stop complaining!

)

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

Edited by 458ONLY (03/04/13 01:11 AM)

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