Getting started on a new project thanks to Prof242 and RIP. Found a donor Ruger #1 action here on AR and having a Ruger #1 built in 395/400NE. Going to use a MPI #1 thumbhole stock and a McGowen barrel.

Keep us informed.

Is there a particular reason you went with that cartridge as opposed to say, a .450-.400NE?

George

I was talking with Max (Prof242) in Dallas and it sounded like something of interest. I have a #1 in 450/400 which I like very much, it has one trip to Africa under its belt. I am a big fan of #1s. I was going to buy a 416 Ruger but opt for this project instead.

Thanks for the explanation.

Good luck with the project.

George

George,
This was originally done by me to get a 19th century buffalo rifle on a Ruger #1. The load development by RIP and I have since turned this thing into a real large-game DRT cartridge. With the new 240gr copper hollowpoint by CEB, it has become my favorite elk round.

Ed,
You are going to have to add ".395 family member" to your signature line.

It's a blast:




Max,
I wanna see your 400/.395NE!

You have corrupted Ed, eh?
Ed will prove his mettle on this one, not for the timid!

The 400/.395 Nitro Express 3-Inch is what should have happened back around 1897, the final step up from 400 Nitro For Black Powder Express.

Instead, the 400 Purdey Light Rifle Express happened with .405 caliber bullet of same weight and velocity as the 400 NFBPE, which was .395 caliber.

Should have been the original .395 caliber with a heavier bullet at full Nitro Express velocities.

Alas, it had to wait until the turn of the millenium.

This Nitro Express can move .395-caliber, 410-grain bullets at 2250 fps in a Ruger No.1.

330 or 340-grain brass or copper FN solids at 2400 fps, etc.

Adequate for any game that walks!

In a nutshell:

Barrel from McGowen Precision:



Reamer from Dave Manson:



Dies from CH4D:



Dummy cartridge formed from Norma 9.3x74R brass straightened out. On left is a 405 WCF:



I have had Rusty McGee build two .395-caliber Ruger No.1 rifles for me.

First the 400 NE, shown here with a Flintlock that shoots a .395-caliber ball, Rusty made that custom rifle also:



Second, a .395 Tatanka:



The 400 NE has a No.4 sporter contour stainless barrel and was left 27" long from the 28" blank.
The .395 Tatanka has a heavy custom contour at 26" chromoly.
Both are perfect, and accurate.

Here is what that 400 NE muzzle looks like, on the right below, next to the .395 Ruger Max on the left:



Rusty does great work.

The Ruger No. One is a great action.

I used a 9.3x74 Ruger No.One and had a simple rebarrel for the 400 NE.
No need for extractor fitting or new extractor from Ruger, which is no problem, just a parts is parts kind of thing.
Like the fitting of the Ruger quarter rib to the custom barrel, thick steel shim precision machined, seen here:

Well it has been a long time in comming, but I sent Rusty the check for the balance and hopefully it will ship the first of the week. It is comming to my local gunsmith and he will get the paint job done (it is a composit stock) which will match all my other thumb hole stocks. They are 338WM, 375 H&H, and my 416 Taylor. A nice family of man toys. The 338WM is my go to gun for Africa and it is the first rifle I ever named - The Afrcian Queen. I am thinking this bad boy would be a great Bongo gun as it will be short (handy) in the jungle and composite stock good for the weather.

I'm waiting to see this. I still have to photograph my Ruger #1 and post it. Of course, my posting abilities have not been great for photos.