Hey Guys,

I have been visiting this site quite often and have learned a heck of a lot just reading thru the post here. You guy really know what you are talking about. I have a question for ya'll or rather I would like for you guys to help with a delima I have. I want a Ruger No.1 but do not think that I will be happy with the 45-70 and do not need the 458 Win Mag. Now before this statement offends anyone I will state that I do not reload and the wife will not put up with another hobby. I already bass fish competively (takes way to much money and time), whitetail hunt with black powder, Bow, and modern firearm. So with that out of the way, will they ever chamber a Ruger NO.1 in a 450 Marlin? It has the performance that I am wanting and I get it with a factory load. Factory loads are also not that expensive. Thanks for your help or advise.

Elwood

Hi Elwood,
I'm not sure if they are chambering the Number 1 in 450 Marlin but if not take a close look at the Marlin lever rifle itself. Everyone I know that loads up a Marlin in 45/70 or shoots factory 450 Marlin just love them. They are probably one of the most fun guns out there.
Take good care and welcome,
Dave

Ruger No. 1's in 458 Win Mag are out there in quantity. If you can pick one used and not abused, it would be a lot better than the 450 Marlin cartridge. You don't have to shoot full loads in it. If you don't reload, you should start planning on it. When you reload, that's when the cartridge comes into being. You can reload all kinds of soft loads that will float your boat. Once you get the hang of it, you can go up in power and it literally is a blast. I know you say you can't be putting more money into something else as you already have a full plate, but have you considered splitting your costs in reloading with a shooting buddy? Anyway, that's one of many options.

Elwood

Reloading does not have to be a hobby. For many (most?) of us here reloading itself can become the main game rather than just a means to an end and as such becomes a hobby in its own right.

Take your problem. All you need is a Ruger 1 in 458, basic loading gear, some 400 Grain Speer flat nose bullets and some 4064 powder. You simply load 70 grains of 4064 and the 400 grain Speer which will do right around 2000 f/s. There is your 450 Marlin "plus". Load a 350 grain Hornady over the same powder charge and you still get about 2000 f/s.

Personally, if I wanted a Ruger 1 big bore and had to use factory ammo my choice would be the 375 H&H.

Mike

Another option you might consider is the #1 in .405 Win. We got one in at the shop last week and it is calling my name big time! My only gripe is that it's in the heavy 1-H Tropical. I'd rather see it in the 1-S but nobody asked me! Hornady loads .405 ammo and while it's not exactly common, it is out there. A 300 gr. .411 slug at between 2200-2300 might scratch your itch okay.

L Wood
Welcome to the Forum. Get the No1 in 45/70. [I have had one for 20+ years] If you shoot Cor-Bon, Buffalo Bore, or Garrett ammo you will have the same [or even more] "power" than the 450 Marlin. While all the game I have killed with the No1 has been with reloads, there are plenty of different factory ammo choices out there. The 45/70 No1 is a lot handier hunting rifle than the 458 No1. The 45/70 has all the power you need for any North American Big Game.

All of the advise you guys have given is great. Just a couple of more questions. What is the cost of factory ammo for a beefed up 45-70, the 375 HH, and 458 Win Mag? I want a 45 cal but I hear a lot of good things about the 375 HH. I think that I saw some where that 375 shells where 75 bucks a box. Also how much more gun is the 375 HH vs a 300 Win Mag. I already have a 300 WM and would diversity in my collection. Thanks

Elwood

.458 factory ammo runs about $40 - 70 per box of 20.

I've found the cost of a reloading setup to pay for itself pretty quickly with .458s. Your cost per box drops to about $15 or so and you amortize a $250 setup in about 200 rounds or so.