My gunsmith have two rifles built on ruger no 1 for sale. Both have a weight of 10 pounds with a 26" heavy barrel. One of them is in caliber 45-70 and the other is in caliber 45-90. The cost is the same for both.

I don�t know what to choose. I plan to use 350 grains and 405 grains bullets from Woodleigh and like to get 2200 fps and 2100 fps out from it. I don�t know if it�s possible to reach this out from a 45-70 without to get to much pressure. Maybe there is not place for powder enough in that case.

I know that the ruger no 1 is good for very high pressure, but maybe the caselife gonna to be very short. If I choose 45-90 I can use starting loads for 458 WM and get very low pressure and reach those velocity.

Anyone here who knows about load data for those bullets and 45-70 or 45-90?

Wich one shall I choose?

What is the brass availability issue in Sweden? If 45-70 is relatively common adn inexspensive, and 45-90 is hard to come by and spendy, I'd opt of the 45-70. I don't think you'll have any problem pushing 350's 2200 fps from a 26" 45-70.

the 45-90 would have the edge if you are going to use black powder because of more case capacity otherwise get the 45-70

I disagree, my tests show the 45-90 will out perform the 45-70 any way you cut it...basic logic, more powder space..I have owned a couple of 45-90s and I really liked them and in a Ruger no. 1 I am sure you can really make it cook....

The old Speer reloading manual had 400 grain bullets listed at 2198 out of a .45/70 in a Ruger #1. The load has a pickup full of RE-7.

I used to have a #1 in .45/70, reamed to .45/90, then .45/110, then .450 N.E. 3 1/4". All worked well for me, however, I believe???? that the fellow who purchased the rifle from me had the stock break after some full-house .450 Nitro loads. Check the fit of action to stock!

Also, before you use minimum .458 loads in your rifle, check the relative volumes. I believe the .45/90 has much less available volume... too much smaller to be interchangable, perhaps.

That said, the few bucks more for .45/90 brass will be forgotten with the much lower pressures and higher energy available than with the .45/70. And, would there be a problem loading .45/70 brass with the bullets seated way out in the .45/90 chamber? I think not.

Another thought. Most .45/70 bullets are designed for much lower velocities than 2200 f.p.s. I had to use .458 Win Mag bullets to keep them from breaking up on deer, believe it or not.

I believe that 45-90 as a little MORE case capacity than .458WM. I have not measured this myself, but I did do some research (for the opposite reason - I wanted to use 45-90 data for reduced loads in the .458).

My numbers showed about 3 grains (of water) advantage for the 45-90. The case is .1" shorter, but I believe the brass is thinner.

I'm not saying that you can run full pressures, as that is untested, but, in a Ruger #1 you might get close.

The weak link might be the strength of the brass, but now that Starline is making 45-90 brass, quality should be excellent.

Waters wrote a long article for his "Pet Loads" on the .45 RCBS?? which was about a .45/110. If I remember correctly, he was using a rolling block, but didn't dare get to .458 velocites. Reference to that article could help, I suppose. (My wife disappeared my copy .)

In any event, I'll bet that 2200 f.p.s. with 400 grain bullets would be no problem in a strong action like a Ruger.

Make sure the twist in the 45-90 is adequate. I believe the orginal 45-90 shot a lighter bullet than the 45-70.

Hi Karl,
The 45-90 would be the way to go. Donelly's lists the 45-70 as having a case capacity of 75.51 Gns of water, the 45-90 at 87.69 GW and the .458Wm at 93.29 GW. You mention in your post that you would like to get 2200 fps using a 350gn bullet and this case will put you right there. The .458X2inch American lists a case capacity of 72.98(GW) using 40gns of 4198 getting 1825fps with a 350gn bullet. With the additional case capacity of the 45-90 you should have no problem at all. As far as the #1 action goes it is one of the best. Now for a load, I don't have one, but it will be a simple matter of starting out with the 2" .458 load and working your way up using your chronograph. Good luck and God bless

cordell

Karl,
I forgot to mention, and agree with savage99. Have this gunsmith check the rate of twist and type of rifling on this rifle, and explain to him what you want to do. My 45-70 will not shoot jacketed bullets, and my friends 1886 Win 45-90 will not shoot anything .400 gns and above with any type of accuracy so you may have a problem. Anyway best of luck and God bless you and yours.

cordell

Starline produces good quality 45/90 brass for a reasonable price.

There were two .45-90s. The Sharps version and the Winchester express version. The latter shot light bullets 400 and down. The latter is more common these days and shoot bullets 450 and up generally. I use 550s typically in a 1:18" twist. The .45-90 brass is easily and cheaply available from www.buffaloarms.com. They sell starline and others, but I think their own brass - stretched from .45-70 cases is by far the best.

Brent

Being from Sweden, you may know about Norma 45 basic
brass. I use this exclusively for my 45-110. Just remember
to size it before you trim it.