How big can the cartridge/rim get on a Ruger No.1 before radical changes need to be made (like modified safety)?

I understand that some gunsmiths will open the action to accept a larger barrel shank. Is this advisable? If so, at what point would it need to be done? With a .500 NE, or will the standard barrel shank be good?

Gary Reeder chambers the .500 Jeffery in the #1. He calls it "The Beast". Check it out on his website.

The 577NE is considered the largest you can go ... and it's debatable with some saying its fine, other that its dangerous. The 600Nitro is too big. Some consider the 500NE too large for the Ruger.
Cheers...
Con

I have a .577 NE on a ruger No 1, and my gunsmith was competly satisfied that there was enough strength in the action to handle the big round.

I have developed loads for mine which are probably too hot for doubles, with 750 grain bullets doing 2150 fps. I am using a faster powder, but less of it than normal so peak pressure is probably a little higher, but the recoil is a lot less.

Con who has posted here before me has shot my rifle and will agree that at 12.5 lbs its very manageable.

I have though had some say to me that a .577 on number 1 is pushing the limit, and perhaps just overstepping it a fraction. I would acualy like to hear Rugers official stance on this, and what they think the biggest round you can safely get into a number 1 action?

Cheers

Steve

P.S for what its worth the guy who says that .577 on a number 1 is too big and dangerous has a .500 NE on one, so that should be well and truely safe.

The biggest case body diameter that Ruger does is the .416 Rigby with case head of .589" max, and rim of .590" max.

The .577 Nitro max case head is .660" and rim of .748", IIRC.

I think there are no issues with action strength and pressures.

Any issues are how much barrel wall remains in the threaded portion and chamber of the barrel,
and how deep the studs and screws can go to hold the quarter rib on, right over the chamber.

The latter issue makes any rebore or rechamber a judgement call, with the smith measuring how deep the holes go.
The factory can be variable.

Rebarrel jobs and good smithing are best.

Changing a .458 WinMag or Lott to 450 NE 3.25" thin rim is generally no issue. Minimal difference in diameters, but the latter does clean up the former.

Rim clearance of ejection is the only other issue, and even JDJ won't go any bigger than the 577 NE rim.

quote:

Originally posted by Aussie steve:
Con who has posted here before me has shot my rifle and will agree that at 12.5 lbs its very manageable.

Steve,
That it is. A real surprise package for sure! I think the worry about chambering a No1 to 577NE is that someone someday will try for a 60k psi loading ... then it may be a different story. But at the standard pressures, my Lord its a pussy-cat to shoot in your rifle, and I'm sure nothing will walk away from it.

Hey, I even had another 'smith try and convince me to do a 600JDJ (600/577NE) on the Ruger No1 ... I think they wanted a reamer for themselves.
Cheers...
Con