Thinking about a new winter project, and have been especially excited since I saw that Hornady will bring out the 450 NE 3.25" as a factory round. Can't locate a reasonable Ruger #1 Tropical in a big bore, but did find a NIB Ruger 1-S Medium Weight Sporter in 45-70 for $700. Would this be a candidate?

I could make a reasonable conversion out of this, but am a little worried about the 7 1/4 lb. weight and what the recoil would be like. I am not recoil shy, and can shoot my 375 H&H all day long, but what would be a realistic caliber to convert to, without beating myself to death?

Any comments welcome. Thanks.

I had a friend who converted a 45-70 #1 to 45-120 (45 3 1/4") Sharps cartridge. He loaded it up to Lott ballistics. I shot it. I have shot an 8 Bore (that doubled on me!), 460 and 378 Wthby, 500 3", and many other big boomers....that rifle almost brought tears to my eyes. It HURT! The Ruger #1, at least for me, seems to generate more felt recoil in any caliber than does the same in a bolt rifle. If I were to convert a #1, I would rebarrel it to a fairly heavy contour, 26" barrel. Even with a barrel that long, it is has about the same overall length as does a 22" barreled bolt rifle. Just my opinion, mind you.

I have had a Ruger No1 in 45/70 for several years. I really like it.

However with 400gr bullets @ 2000fps it is a beast to shoot.

My standard load is a Hornady 350gr at 1900 fps.

I would not want to shoot one in 450 Nitro.

Best bet, I think, would be to wait untill Ruger makes a factory No1 in 450 Nitro with the heavier barrel.

Thanks guys, that is the type of real time info I was hoping for. I was afraid it might be more than a handful, so wanted to ask someone with experience. Maybe just build a bolt gun for my next hunt (hopefully buff in 2009), and wait for the new model Ruger which will support the ammo.

I shoot many of my muzzleloaders with 400-600 grain bullets and either Pyrodex or 777, and in 7-8# rifles they are fun, until you start pushing them past 1500 FPS. A 400 grain hardcast LBT in my White Whitetail at 1650 is starting to lose its allure in a hurry! Gonna switch to Simms recoil pads on them next.

NE 450: How's the 45-70 work on big hogs down there in Texas? I had thought to buy it and bring it down to Uvalde and Brackettville with me this season. Something different to try.

Blank, I had a 9# 458Lott & it used to make me light headed after only 8-10rds. I would pass on that project unless you wanted to rebarrel to at least a #5 contour.

I'm shooting a Browning 1885 in 45-70, 28" heavy octagonal bore (I think it's close to 9 pounds) and it's fine with 300 gr. loads running 2100 fps. I shoot 12-15 shots off the bench with it getting used to the sights and having no recoil problems at all. It better work good on pigs, because I'm using it the end of the month.

Hello Blank: Here's some food for thought--- try to find a Ruger #1 lyman commemorative rifle that has been shot. They are out there,so have patience. they have a long, heavy barrel, henry forearm, and just need a rechamber to 45/ 120 31/4" . Simple! Add a quarter rib and front sight( Brownells) Cheers

I have that very conversion, 45-70 no-1 to 450 3 1/4" Nitro,,it is a real bear with full tilt boogie loads, but if you keep them down to the black powder express type and replace the recoil pad, its a hoot to play with

I actually did worse. Years ago, when the BELL 45-120 brass first came out, I rechambered a No 3 45-70 to 45-120, and stoked it all the way up. (I did slap a set of No 1 wood on it with a thicker pad.) That, friends, was unbelievable. It was the only gun I ever owned which I wouldn't let anyone else shoot.

Sounds like it could still be a fun project. Maybe just keep it stock, and ramp up the loads to get ready for a factory 450. Oh, I love winter planning.

I have found a Browning 1885 Hi-Wall in 45-70 with the 28" barrel, which could also be a candidate. It actually balances better, and seems like it should be a bigger boomer.

Hey Blank,
i have a like new #1 in 458 Lott with the addition of XS sights i'll sell you for 700 if you're interested.

When heavily loaded, even in .45/70 that rifle HURTS! I put a Limbsaver pad on mine, and that helped some. When shooting it from the bench, I have to loop my left index finger over the barrel and hold it down in the front bag to keep it from jumping off the bench.


As much as I hate the idea, if you merely rechamber it, a muzzle brake might be necessary! If you install a beefier barrel, that might tame it down enough.

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I have learned a lot thru our conversations. Looking forward to whatever I end up getting, and will owe a lot of it to you guys.

Degoins: Thanks for the reply. That's a sweet deal on your Ruger, but my interest in a Lott is only for a bolt gun, and I enjoyed shooting my friend's CZ. The interest in single-shots and the 450 NE is both big-bore dreaming and nostalgia about the cartridge itself. I am really hoping to be able to swing a double in 450 NE before the return buffalo trip.

Have to do a lot of research and talking at Reno SCI.

Blank,
i was thinking you could rechamber the Lott to 450 NE instead of trying it with the 45-70, but yeah i'd save my dough for a double too if i were you.

i used to shoot garret loads out of a #3, i cant say it was fun.

my 1st #1 was a 45-70, in fact i still have the barrel, and in my ignorant youth tried some hot handloads right off the bat.....pretty snappy!!!

KSTEPHENS,
what part of upstate SC are you in? i grew up in Gaffney.