I'd like to try my hand at a "real" big bore (something other than the .45-70). I've been eyeing the Ruger No. 1 in .450-400 3" for quite some time, but I just can't get over the ammo prices. Midway is asking $83 for Hornady. I know this is relatively cheap by big bore standards, but not to me.

I sold my reloading press, but have some friends with ones that I could use. Any ideas how to get the ammo cost down? I don't particularly feel like leading up with bore with cast bullets either...

Big bore on beer budget?
458 Lott. Best answer to keeping costs down and a great round.
shoot from 45-70 speeds to full tilt.
45-70 bullets for cheap plinking.
At low preasure the brass will last you a while.
If you want a reeeeeel big bore on a beer budget the 12GFH and a single shot will be insane!!!!
Shoot factory ammo slugs or 10,000 FPE boulder busters.

NOTHING can help except reloading.

BigFiveJack's right. Actually that's a decent price for 450-400 ammo. When you step up to most of the big boys, it's gonna cost you a lot more. Look at it this way: You could be shooting a .470 NE and paying around $350 for a box of 20.

Get a No 1 in 458 Win. Ammo, brass, bullets and dies can be easily and cheaply be had.

+1 for the #1 458 Win Mag. I bought one on GA 2 years ago and I absolutely LOVE it. It has all the power you'll ever need and is probably the cheapest to shoot big bore. I also considered the 450/400 but choose the 458 due to cost and I just wanted a Winnie.

In a Ruger No1, for a big bore, more powerful than a 45/70 a 458 Win Mag is the most economical.

You can buy 405gr Remington bullets in bulk.

With @70gr of IMR 3031 they will have all the recoil you desire...

The Cheapest Rifle to go big bore with is a TC Encore Pro Hunter.
There are people selling really major calibers out there for this thing.
The barrels are a couple hundred each.

Plus 2 on the Lott
Its performance with 400 grain spire point bullets is amazing. Long range (300 yard +) performance is astounding in a DG cartridge.
Take a good hard look at it.
Its that good.

John

If you learn to match alloy hardness (Bhn) to pressure you won't lead a rifle barrel.
If I may, buy a CZ 416 Rigby. You get a bolt action rifle for about the same $$$. I get the RCBS mould 350gr GC bullets over 2300fps before I see any leading. Shoot twenty or thirty, then make the last shot a jacketed bullet. That takes all the leading out of my barrels, and then two minutes with a brush and some Sweets or Butch's Bore Shine and you are ready to go.

Rich
I like the casting end, it lets me be more involved in the total reloading process. Besides, I also shoot a 505 Gibbs. You don't want to know what THAT costs.

Good answers above.

Reloading is great, as are Hard Cast Gas Check Leads for practice (and hunting).

Factory loads for any of the big toys--hurt--
(in $$$$ that is)

I have loaded for most of the "big bores" either for myself or friends, It is the only way to shoot affordablely and frequently.

.458 is the cheapest bullet selection
458 lott is the most practical over all bigbore round
don't get a ruger #1 in 458 lott unless you LIKE having snot kicked out of you

reloading lott is CHEAP CHEAP .. and you can use winmag brass if you want ...

i have come up with some great handloads for the 450 400 with my OU 1-1.5 inch groups at 50 with open sights cheaper to

but the real dilemma is that big bore and cheap dont go together i now shoot 5 and theres nothing cheap about any of then the 9,3x74R is the best on my pocket

quote:

I've been eyeing the Ruger No. 1 in .450-400 3" for quite some time, but I just can't get over the ammo prices.

Like BIGFIVEJACK said you have to reload..

quote:

I don't particularly feel like leading up with bore with cast bullets either

You wouldn't have leading if you do your part..
Just get your self a RCBS 350gr./.417" mold, size the boolit to fit your throat, load to 1900-2200fps and kill any thing that you can make a decent hit on..
If you don't cast and don't want to learn, then use commercial cast or use Hornadys 300gr./.411" bullets..
link to one commercial caster:
http://www.beartoothbullets.co...lletselect/index.htm
You should tell the commercial caster to size to your throat dia. (guessing .412-.413") or you may get leading..

What Low Wall said, plus one!!

I have that mould, and mine is about perfect.
I cast for everything, I even have a NOE 4-cavity for an RFN 55gr .225" one.

Rich

Hey Low Wall, betcha a Yankee Dollar I own more moulds than you do!