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Early in 2003 I decided that I wanted a "big bore rifle", no specific reason just something that sounded like "BOOM!" when it went off.

I'd read where Ruger was coming out with the #1 in .405 Win and remembering "African Game Trails" I decided to use the President's cartridge. No intent to hunt anything with it, just something different than the usual, run-o-mill rifle.
Not too big for my usual quarry, whitetail but not too small for most everything else I'll ever be able to afford hunting.

Did a bit of searching at our local gun stores and bought a slightly used #1-B in 7mm Rem Mag. Off it went to a friend with connections and a lathe, destined to come back in .405 with a long throat and 1 in 12" twist.

After a bit of judicious load development I've found that the Barnes 400gr X, Barnes 400gr solid and Woodleigh 400gr soft point all shoot sub inch 100 yard groups to the same point of impact when loaded to 2,000fps! The 300gr bullets from Hornady and Barnes shoot to radically different points of impact from every other bullet and don't group nearly as well. I do have one load using a 265gr wide nosed swc/gc that does 1,400fps and is like shooting a .38spl. that hits very near the 400gr loads at 100yds.

Then a few months later, I find data for the .405 on Hodgdon's webpage showing that they are getting 1,900fps plus with the Woodleigh loaded short to fit in a 1895 levergun and using one grain less powder than I do. I'm just relieved to see that I'm not about to blow my fool self up

Unfortunately, Barnes quit making the .411 400gr bullets so if Woodleigh's become unavailable it's off to the barrel guy for some other flavor. But for now, it's pretty good.

Hope I helped you scratch your .405 itch.

Rick

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