I've got a chance to pick up a really nice ruger no. 1, 405 winchester. I'm looking for some loads that I can push the 400 gr. softs and solids from woodleigh to about 2100 fps. What powders do you reccomend? I've seen data for Benchmark, H322, Reloader 7, and a couple of others. For you guys who have run the above combo, which in your opinion is the best powder?

I currently have some H4198 on hand, any use even trying it? Opinions wanted. Thanks!

Mad Dog

I think you will have to extend (or grind out) your magazine some (about 1/8") so that the bottom rounds with Woodleigh 400 grain bullets won't hang up... and, a few turns with a hand reamer will insure the chamber is long enough, too.

Hodgdon's website has some loads, but I think the max is 1950 fps there. My gun was a little faster with the listed loads... about 2010 fps.

Hey Judge, thanks for the input, but this will be a Ruger No. 1, not a Winchester 1895. Still, you may be right about throating the chamber. Anyway tell me about your loads. Also, haven't you used NFs also?

Mad Dog

Mad Dog,

I have a Ruger .405 Win.... an I really like the 400gr loads.

You won't reach 2100fps safely with the standard Ruger throat...
My throat is cut about 5/16" deeper and the bullets seated out farther accordingly.

The powders you mentioned are too fast. I use H-4895 to reach 2100fps with 1" groups at 100 yards for frosting on the cake!

I won't talk powder weight as it will have to be developed for the configuration of the modified throat.

BigRx

Thanks for the heads up! Is H4831 too slow?

Mad Dog

quote:

Originally posted by Mad Dog:
Is H4831 too slow?

Mad Dog

Yes.... H4831 would be too slow to reach your velocity goal.

I tried several powders and H-4895 stood out the best with the 400gr Woodleigh Soft nose... Did I mention accurate?

BigRx

Mad Dog Here is some of my experience with a Ruger #1 in 405 Win. I tried several powders
BUT:

My gun likes RL#7 and I do not have a throat problem in the chamber. I just seat .050 off the lands. Don't worry about OAL with no Magazine. I did have to bob the front of the safety as ejected shells kept hanging up on the
top edge of the safety button as it is too long.
IMO.

51 Gr RL#7 with a 400 grain SWIFT or Woodleigh
and Fed 215 primers yields right at 2100 on the button over my Oehler Chronograph at 15 feet. I tried Fed 210 primers as well but no big difference.

56 gr. RL#7 with a 300 grain Hornady does 2434 fps. and almost 2500 with the 300 grain North Fork (Less tension on the bore, I think)

Next I want to find a load for the 360 grain North Fork. I think that is going to be my all around hunting load if I can get 2200 fps.
and I think I can with the NF. They are awsome
bullets on big hogs.

All bullets tried are .411 diameter. The Hornady's are good for practice due to lower cost. For consistant performance I like the
Swifts and North Fork offerings. You have to special order the Swift 400 gr. .411 from the factory. They do not cataloge them. When ordered Swift will swage down their .416 bullet to .411. Hope this helps some.

Good shooting.
Tetonka

Tetonka, thanks for the heads up!

Mad Dog

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
I think you will have to extend (or grind out) your magazine some (about 1/8") .

Hey Judge can you point the mag on a ruger #1 to me? ... no, not with THAT finger!