The Accurate Reloading Forums
Aussie built Ruger No1 577NE
24 February 2009, 22:29
ConAussie built Ruger No1 577NE
Guys,
To the best of my knowledge, this is the first No1 in 577NE built in Australia. I'm 99% sure the owner is a forum member here, I'm posting on his behalf having fired the rifle late last week and been thoroughly impressed!!
Details: Ruger No1 at 12lb 7 oz chambered in 577NE. There are 2 mercury recoil reducers in the stock, larger (heavier) strengthened stock bolt, barrel is a Lothar which was turned after the reducers where fitted to balance perfectly on the action. Sights were built pretty much from scratch as was the barrel band. Rifle is regulated at 50yards with a 750gr at 2100fps. Owner tried a 650gr but found it 'too mild'!! This rifle is an absolute dream to shoot by the way. I believe the owner will at a later date have the stock upgraded to an oil finish and ebony tip ... and is considering a 375H&H Flanged partner for the bigger bore. All work was completed by Bob deVries of Melbourne, Australia. I rang to chastise him about certain aspects of the rifle ... he just laughed and said "So you want one!" I hate a gunsmith that knows me better than myself. Comparison rifle is my 458AccRel Ruger MkII.
Cheers...
Con
PS: Hope the pictures work!
24 February 2009, 23:07
jeffeossoNice ones!
heh, the 458 AR is great!
24 February 2009, 23:09
boom stickSweeeeeeet!
24 February 2009, 23:13
boom stickPS
Awesome shooting range!
Where is it?
24 February 2009, 23:15
Conquote:
Originally posted by jeffeosso:
Nice ones!
heh, the 458 AR is great!
Sure is!! I've now done a double anneal on the 300RUM brass ... no more splits! Once a set of open sights are fitted, she'll be bead blasted and I'll have no wish for anything more versatile!
But here's what I don't get ... this 577NE should have hit with around 100fpe recoil. But it's a total and absolute pussy-cat. Do the large cased NE rounds recoil substantially less because of the low pressures? 12lb 7oz isn't exactly a heavyweight for a 577NE ... are two reducers that effective? Load is 750gr at a chronographed 2100fps using I think 120ish grains Rel-15.
Cheers...
Con
PS: That projectile is a Bertram. Not bad hey ... AUD$80 per 100 for a 750gr 577cal ... do the currency conversion!!

24 February 2009, 23:23
Conquote:
Originally posted by boom stick:
PS
Awesome shooting range!
Where is it?
Australia ya goose!

Property is in the owner's family. Very dry on account of the drought. In the picture of the Express sights in line you can see a gum tree above the sights. That's around 350m ... we were dropping 180gr BTs from his 340Wby into a wombat hole at its base. On one shot at the wheelie bin with target ... we had a 750gr Bertram skip almost to the that gum. Too much fun!
Cheers...
Con
24 February 2009, 23:29
boom stickWhere in Australia?

Glad you are having some good big bore fun!
PS I was lucky enough thanks to an AR member here

to shoot a 577 double and noticed it was like a big shove not a punch.
24 February 2009, 23:34
ConDown south in Victoria, almost central in the State, near a large dam known as Eildon. Amazingly dry at the moment, driest start to the year ever. Owner tells me he's had a few goats about, but usually it's foxes and rabbits that take a hammering.
Definately a big shove, no sharpness at all in the recoil. One picture you can see the LimbSaver (bigbore man-bra) which was never required.
Cheers...
Con
24 February 2009, 23:43
boom stickI shot the 550 Gibbs with normal and "Whomper" loads and the normal loads were no big deal but the "Whomper load" got my attention but you would never load a 577 NE that hot. I think there are a whole bunch of 550 Macifej solids orbiting the planet after clean pass throughs through the earth and messing with satelites

verrrrry few have been recovered. Macifej makes them in 577 too!
I think the fun with the #1 and yhe 577 would be getting off 3 aimed shots in a short time.
25 February 2009, 00:18
JTEXCool rifle and I too, just love the range.
25 February 2009, 01:22
trophyhunter5000Cool pics all around (rifle and background)...

______________________
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26 February 2009, 01:11
PWSSoweeett!!!
I sure like the way that rifle is just a #1 with a "full figured" barrel and not all cluttered up with a bunch of gaudy exterior recoil reducing devices. Classy rig!
How do you like that factory Ruger laminate stock on the .458AccRel? Seems kinda
26 February 2009, 05:18
RIPThey say that is the biggest casehead and rim that can be done on the Ruger No.1.
Looks very nice.
I dig one of those.

It appears that only minor reshaping of the front of the safety button was required?
Hamilton Bowen used to recess the safety button and extensively reshape/low-profile it, for the 577NE.
What has been done to this one's safety is all that was needed for a 450NE3.25" I have.
26 February 2009, 05:30
RobgunbuilderI actually like the way this looks without the quarter rib. Have fun with it!-Rob
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers to do incredibly stupid things- AH (1941)- Harry Reid (aka Smeagle) 2012
Nothing Up my sleeves but never without a plan and never ever without a surprise!
26 February 2009, 05:35
fla3006Cool rifle for sure. I'm thinking of a #1 in 500NE.
NRA Life Member, Band of Bubbas Charter Member, PGCA, DRSS.
Shoot & hunt with vintage classics.
26 February 2009, 07:18
Conquote:
Originally posted by RIP:
It appears that only minor reshaping of the front of the safety button was required?
Hamilton Bowen used to recess the safety button and extensively reshape/low-profile it, for the 577NE.
RIP,
Because it's not my rifle, I'm unsure what was done (if anything) to the safety. Another 'smith in Australia that specialises in No1's has also mentioned to me that the safety requires modification to stop it damaging your hand.
I think deVries put around 80hours into the rifle, it was a more involved job then originally predicted. I think half the battle was finding places to add weight! The stock bolt for example I believe was replaced by a custom bolt to be both stronger and heavier. A pure kitten to shoot!
Cheers...
Con
26 February 2009, 14:18
Aussie steveHey guys, glad you all liked my rifle as Con says it really is a pussycat to shoot. The range is in a watercourse which runs through the family farm which with any luck I'll own by chrissy if I keep on pipelining. It is very dry at the moment, and thats part of why the bushfires are so bad around that part of the state.
As Con said there is over 80 hours work involved, the barrel had to be contured after the mercury was added to get the ballance just right, also both front and rear sights were machined from solid stock, as too was the barrel band. The stock bolt was redone to be both heavier and stronger. There is a lot of work involved here.
I had just a fraction of the top of the safety machined off, as it was interfereing with the ejection of empty cases. I have never had my hand hit the safety yet, and for 100 ft lbs of recoil it is very shootable.
26 February 2009, 21:25
RIPquote:
Originally posted by Aussie steve:
I had just a fraction of the top of the safety machined off, as it was interfereing with the ejection of empty cases. I have never had my hand hit the safety yet, and for 100 ft lbs of recoil it is very shootable.
Good to know. Clearance of the rim on ejection was all I was referring to.

28 February 2009, 10:21
Hog KillerSteve, love your #1. I really like youyr choise of sights for it too.
Keith
IGNORE YOUR RIGHTS AND THEY'LL GO AWAY!!!
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28 February 2009, 18:48
Sid PostThat's a really impressive rifle. Thanks for sharing!
Best Regards,
Sid
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quote:
Originally posted by fla3006:
Cool rifle for sure. I'm thinking of a #1 in 500NE.
Since I already have 4 sporting rifles in "500-caliber" and only 3 in "470-caliber,"
and I have tons of brass and bullets for the 470NE,
I am in most desperate need of another 470NE.
I'd keep a Ruger No.1 470 NE down to 10 pounds dry weight, and use a 26" barrel of 1:10" twist.
Will 470NE brass tolerate loads with 500-grain bullets to 2700 fps?
The 470 Mbogo will, with .416 Rigby based brass.
The case capacities of the 470 Mbogo and the 470NE are same.
Sporty!
