I want to buy a large bore Ruger #1. My main use will be shooting for fun, but I intend to take it after West Texas feral hogs and hopefully, one day, to Africa.

Now, I've always liked the Nitro Express cartridges and I've got the reloading setup for the 450. I have a Thompson Encore chambered in 450 NE that was made by J.D. Jones at SSK. I called them up and asked about making me a #1 in 450 NE, and they said it'd be a rebarrel job and would cost about $1800 plus the cost of the rifle, etc. I don't have that kind of money at the moment! I was thinking that one should be able to re-chamber a .458 Win Mag to .450 Nitro Express--just run the 450 NE reamer in the .458 chamber? Ruger makes a #1 chambered for .458 Win, straight from the factory--seems like an ideal conversion to me.

Anyone know for a fact if this can/cannot be done? Can anyone recommend a gunsmith that has experience with this particular conversion?

Thanks in advance,

Shiflan

You might check with Bill/Oregon. He has a Ruger #1 chambered for the 450 cartridge for sale in the classified section. Last time I checked he was asking $800.00, and nothing had been said about it being sold. Might save you some money and time.

Shiflan,

Bill's gun for $800.00 is a good deal. I have a NIB No.1 in 458 for sale and am asking $600.00. My gunsmith, MacKools Firearms, in Tulsa, Oklahoma does the conversions from 458 to 450 NE 3.25 or No.2 and is very reasonable on the costs.

Perry

Thanks for the notes guys. I dropped Bill/Oregon an Email about his rifle.

PWN, can you give me contact info for MacKool's?

My local gun shop will sell me a new #1 tropical in 458 for $620 and quoted $75-100 for the rechambering job; only trouble is that I need to find a reamer becasue they don't have one. I'm considering renting from Shawnee Tool, but it'd be easier if I can find a shop that already has one.

I talked to SSK again, they told me that they CAN do a rechamber but it'll run $200.

Thanks,

Shiflan

Sent you two e-mails, Shiflan ....

shiflan

check your mail.

Shiflan, a simple re-chambering will not do the trick! The extractor must be reworked as well. The extractor work requires more skill than the rechamber job. Bill's rifle would be the way to go. It is already done, and ready to go for the SRP of a new Ruger NO1H 458 Win Mag.

I have a Ruger No. 1 in .450 N.E. 3 1/4" that's ready to go. I'll sell it for $500.