I've recently acquired a Ruger #1-B with the intent of having it rebarreled to one of the older rimmed cartridges. I'm leaning heavily toward the .405 Winchester as it seems capable of taking any reasonable game and is a bit nostalgic. I've already got a Guide Gun in .45-70 and I'm looking for something a bit different from what the rank and file shoots.

What won't a well placed, modern bullet from a .405 take here in the continental US?

What will it take in say Alaska or Africa?

Any other suggestions?

TIA
Rick

How about a 50-90 sharps? But please stay away from the slower twists.

Isn't the .50-90 pretty much exclusively a black powder cartridge?

I'd like something where I can use lead or jacketed bullets.

I'd like to have one in .500 Nitro Express.

AD

I built a couple in 45x2 7/8 which was great except it is really more cartridge than one needs. 40-82 would be neat. Regards, Bill.

The advent of Accurate Powders 5744 has moved a lot of black powder cartridges into the more easily used smokeless era, including the 50-90. I use it in my 50-70 rolling block, and it's a loy of fun. - Dan

Rick, No you can use smokeless.
Alan, a friend of mine has one in 500 and I have a spare R# 1 that I have been dieing to convert in 500 3". It would make for an excilent elk/woods rifle.
His rifle only weighs 7 3/4 lbs and is well stocked for me. Recoil is prohibitive for shooting stances for me, but not painfull.

Plug the barrel and get a real rifle.

[ 01-12-2003, 00:52: Message edited by: KuduKing ]

KudoKing,
Ouch! I've got a bunch of repeaters and always wanted a #1, don't know why, it just speaks to me sublimnally.

It'll probably only get used here East of the Mississippi on whitetails, black bear and boar at very close distance (I killed my buck this year at under 25 yds with a .44 mag revolver).

Guess what I'm looking for is something old, rimmed and potent enough for my dreams of more exotic big game...

Bill,
What are the ballistics like with a .40-82?

Rick

[ 01-12-2003, 02:20: Message edited by: Rick R ]

Rick if your looking at the 40-82 just think 40-65 Winchester basicly the same,another good one if your into reloading would be my favorite 33 Winchester,I am going to have a NEF chamber and bore for it.,If stompers are what you want,may I suggest 450 Nitro,45-120,50-140

Rick R,
Good to see you have a keen interest in a fine Ruger No.1. I have several that I have rebarreled over the years to suit my interests.
My 22/250 ended up as a 500 Nitro x 3" and is a real lot of fun. I had the 458 Mag taken to 458 Lott,a 338 to 340 Whetherby, a 270 to 270AI, a 458 to 45/120 Sharps and my favourite a new barrel chambered 38/55 Winchester.
If I lose interest in the 38/55, I can simply rechamber to 375H&H and sell.
A 270gn Hornady from the 38/55 sure packs a punch on wild pigs.

Since you already load for the .45-70, how about a .45-110 or .45-120? Another interesting choice would be the 9.3x74R. I am currently having a .338x74Keith made up by Boadcreek RW. I like the rimmed case in the #1 & the .338x74 gives me a better bullet selection & a bit more vel. than the old 9.3x74 (a great round though). Don't let kudu get to you. Not everyone can hunt w/ a single shot?
I have another #1 in 7mm Dakota that is a real tack driver. Even though I practice the reload, I have yet to need more than the single shot w/ that rifle/cart. combo.

[ 01-12-2003, 20:49: Message edited by: fredj338 ]

What kind of ballistics can you expect from a .45-110 or .45-120 in a modern rifle? I'd assume that the #1 is about as strong as it gets even if you are hampered by not having a stack of cartridges ontap for instant reloads.

And isn't the 9.3X74R similar to the .375 H&H in power?

Remember what T. Roosevelt said "I don't shoot well, so I shoot alot" (or something to that effect). Me, I'll just be sure to wear my tennis shoes so I can Nike Ninja my way out of trouble if my one shot doesn't do it.

[ 01-12-2003, 21:11: Message edited by: Rick R ]

I've had my eye on a 1-H with the intentions of rebarreling to 450 NE No.2. The 45-120 sits nicely as well!

Eric