Since getting my Ruger No. 1 in 450/400 3" a while back, I have been enjoying the sight-in and practice with it for my tuskless and buff hunt next year. I KNOW, I KNOW, SPARE ME THE SINGLE SHOT LECTURE - WE WILL HAVE SEVERAL APPROPRIATE CALIBER REPEATERS ALONG! I just like them, and intend to use it

My problem is with the open sights, for use as backup sights if the scope fails. Just how good do I need to be, considering the shot will probably be less than 20 yards?

The stock factory sights are a POS, and basically the same as the ones on my 10/22's, with a little sliding piece of tin to adjust elevation with. With my aging eyes, I can only shoot about 3" groups with them, at 50 yards. I was wondering if any of you here have replaced them with the one-piece steel one from NECG, or their adjustable peep (which will fit the Ruger ring base)? Any other good options out there?

I did put a 2.5X Leupold Compact on for a DG scope, and love it. I can stay under an inch at 25 yards, and 1-1.5" at 50 yards. All these from field positions, after some exercise, or off sticks.

What are a PH's expectations for accuracy from his hunter, when you are that close?

I changed the rear sight on my .416 Rem Mag No 1 to a NECG Masterpiece. The front sight is a NECG for Rugers with the white bead. I have fitted and installed both sights and am very happy with the quality and sight picture. They are light years better than the factory Ruger sights. My rifle has a Leupold 1.75 by 6 scope the Warne QD mounts and I would like to hunt buffalo in September with the iron sights.

Blank you are good to go. Don't worry be happy. The best thing that you can do now is study you anatomy. That is the most difficult part.

I used iron only on my 416/404 (416 Howell) to take my elephant in Namibia in 2006. My rifle uses NECG front and rear express sight set. It worked very well and was very visible (and my eyes were 65 years young at the time.)

I would agree about elephant anatomy. Read Will's book. He has very good descriptions and pictures of shot placement.

I know your mind is made up about the #1, so my recommendation is to practice getting off five fast shots - three quick ones followed by two quick ones. I've never fired one of these rifles, but it seems to me that the trick is to have additional rounds close at hand for the reload. Kudude

Mike: Thanks; that's just the info that I was hoping for. I will have to look them up in the catalog, and see if I can follow up on that. My wife thinks I spend way to much time watching Buzz's DVD, and studying shot placement on every other one now.

For anyone's info, the Uncle Mikes elastic cartridge holder for putting on a stock fits perfectly on your wrist over a shirt sleeve, and doesn't turn. If you space the big Nitro's in every other one, you get five with plenty of case to grab. Drop the lever with the right hand, and grab a reload. Keeping the rifle at my shoulder, I find it a lot faster than loading out of a belt.

Need to take a little off the front of the safety (which sticks up above the loading trough a bit), as occasionally the rim catches and it doesn't clear. Just aggravating enough to get you killed! I can get three shots off really quick, and all six in about 10 seconds. Like Steve Mizerak said about pool - Practice, Practice, Practice!

If you can consistently hold a 6" group at 50m I would be more than happy enough for you to take a brain shot on ele! Only when I see groups of over 6-8" off the sticks at 50m do I start trying to interest the client in a heart shot.

Shooting 1" groups doesn't mean much if you don't know where to shoot. If you are not worried sick about the brain shot, you're not ready for it.

Elephant hunting only gets fun under 25yds-in which case open sights are plenty.

I differ with most on this, I hate any rifle that won't shoot an inch or two at 50 yards. I want a bolt gun to shoot 1" at 100 and I want my double to shoot 1.5" at 50..My latest double shot 1" everytime at 50 yds as did Sweet Thang (now belongs to Robgunbuilder) and her predisesor that went to Alaska.

I figure I just might want to shoot something in the eye that is looking for me...

Bottom line is I have no use for inaccurate rifles, only accurate rifles interest me and Col. Whelen...

I think the question Ray is not whether the rifle is accurate it is whether one can shoot it accurately. What does it matter if a rifle shoots half inch groups at a hundred yards from the bench if one can't hit the broadside of a barn at a hundred yards when in the field?

An accurate rilfe sure can't hurt anything, especially for one's confidence.

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Blank you are good to go. Don't worry be happy. The best thing that you can do now is study you anatomy. That is the most difficult part.

ELS gave you the straight of it! You are really going to like that 450/400 3 inch. AS ELS and others can tell you, combined with a good 400 grain Woodleigh solid, the round has great penetration!

Hope you have a great hunt!

If a fellow can content himself with a heart/lung shot, then IMO he is ready to go elephant hunting if he can hit a basketball offhand at 25 yards.

If a fellow would like to try for a brain shot (perhaps not the best idea with a single shot rifle), then he ought to be able to keep his 3 shot group into an area half the size of a basketball at 25 yards.

And if you get up to 10 yards or a bit closer, those accuracy standards can be loosened.

Perhaps more critical than how well a guy shoots a rifle on the range is how well he can shoot it when sweaty, exhausted, panting and full of adrenaline.

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Originally posted by 500grains:
Perhaps more critical than how well a guy shoots a rifle on the range is how well he can shoot it when sweaty, exhausted, panting and full of adrenaline.

Well stated...

Brian

Managed to pick up another box of Hornady factory loaded soft points tonight for $69. Soon as the dies get here, I will be loading up a box of the Barnes Banded Solids (.4095) to try. Hope to have the Woodleighs to try also.

Ordered Will's book tonight also, so see, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Didn't even take very much brow beating by the forum.