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; .375 Ruger
; Ha!- I wasn't aware tht Weaver ran this site - hadn't even observed his add. I only know Weaver from his reputation at saubier.com., a sub-bore site (under .224).
; My experience with the .50 Alaskan deals with a modern made Pedersoli Rolling Block and a Shilo Sharps both barrelled with McGowen chambered blanks, #5 taper at 28" - 11 1/2 pound - both rifles. In the RB, I worked up to 2,000fps quite easily with H4198 and 450gr. cast bullets. My most accurate ammo was in the 1,800fps range with 550gr. RCBS cast FN's. Pressure would have been well below 40,000psi for the 450gr. and 550's. - just an educated guess. In a stronger or more modern action, one loads to the power and pressure levels one desires. I suspect the #1 Ruger will handle around 55,000psi to 60,000psi in this straight case. The new .348 brass is immensly strong - much stronger than most modern cases that are loaded to that prssure level. At that pressure, which would be moderate to moderately high for the Ruger, I'd think the 550gr. RCBS cast bullet should easily run in the 2,200fps range. It should then easily do 2,200fps with 520gr. jacketed ones. This is only a 2.1" case when blown out but still has slightly greater capacity than the 2.5" .458 Win. Mag. manages. Properly throated, it will generate the same velocities as in the .458 Win Mag, with the same weight bullets, but at lower pressures. This means it will generate higher velocities with the same bullet weights, at the same pressure level. I'm assuming the .458 WM is loaded to something around 55,000psi. This is fully 8,000psi (or more) approximately, lower than some rounds that are chambered in the #1 and that the #1 handles easily - more easily than most bolt guns.
; As handloaders, pressure is only as high as what we load the ammo to. We are in control unless we shoot someone else's ammo, be it handloads or factory stuff. That we or some of us are in control is perhaps a good, or bad thing, as the case may be - HA!
; The .50 Alaskan is a cool round. It demands respect. My rolling block, with it's heavy and slow hammer fall was good for 5 shot groups of 1-1/2" at 200 meters using tang peep and blade front sights and the 550gr. cast bullets - using black powder loads or smokeless - that barrel didn't care. At 1,800fps, it was 300fps faster than what a black powder load in the 3-1/4" case can deliver - and only about 5,000 psi higher pressure.

Daryl

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