I handled my 416 rigby comfortably with 400gr at 2500 fps and am now buying a ruger #1 458 lott. I've heard it's a step up in recoil and more so in the #1. I think I'll be able to handle it, but it might be at the threshold of my recoil tolerance and am interested in taking a little of the bite out. I know these additions won't change the recoil tremendously, but thought it might take the edge off a little.

I plan on adding a 14 oz mercury recoil reducer in the stock and a better pad.

Do you think that might take a little bit of the edge off?

I also heard that the ruger #1 458 is a little barrel heavy. is this true? I was hoping adding the recoil reducer in the stock might balance it a little better if this is the case.

I do hand load too, so I have other options if factory ammo velocity is too unpleasant for regular range time

i use a 16 oz in a 8 pound 45/70 handi rifle and its a big difference when using heavy buffalo bore loads and my brother says his 30/06 handi now feels like a 243 i als0 think the pachmyer F990 pad might help this pad is 1 1/2" thick. i will try that pad on a 416 rigby.

Yes, it is quite barrel heavy. Use the 16 oz. merc. tube. Also, switch to a Decelerator or Limbsaver pad, and you'll be good to go. It will still push, but at least it won't be painful.

I have combined Limbsavers with a coil of lead wire in the butt stock through-bolt cavity to tame No. 1s.

Yes, all true.
Did the same thing in my 450NE # 1.
Also added a pretty heavy 30mm scope.

All adds up and improves balance.

Nitro

I have a #1 in a Lott - Very happy with everything / very accurate.

- I filled a 3/4" copper pipe w/ lead about 6" long and sanded out the stock screw channel to fit the pipe. You can adjust the amount of weight for perfect balance & it is cheap.

- I installed the pre-fit limb saver recoil pad - happy in both fit & cushioning.

- I used the fixed rear iron sight off an African / Alaskan & used NECG front sight.

ok, thanks guys

Well I got my 458 lott out to the range today. I have the 16oz mercury tube and a limbsaver pad on it.

I tried my hand load that clocked 500gr at 2015 fps. I was pleasantly surprised. The recoil was heavy, but completely comfortable.

I then tried hornady factory ammo that clocked at 2248 fps. The recoil was heavier, but was not punishing. I think a full box of factory ammo off the bench is ok, but it would loose it's fun factor after that.

I'm going to shoot for a comfortable load of 2150 fps

Dare I say, I might be able to handle a 500. at least for a few shots ?

Thanks for the advice guys.

Glad to hear the good results for taming the recoil of the mighty 458 Lott! I am shooting my Ruger #1 458 Lott for the first time tomorrow, and although I have a PAST pad, something tells me the 400's @ 2200fps and the 500'# @ 2000fps I have loaded are going to be memorable at the very least.

With regard to the mercury recoil insert and limbsaver, are these do it yourself type mods, or should I really get a gunsmith to do it? I'd prefer to avoid the extra cost if possible, but I do not want to mangle my baby trying to save a few bucks.

Thanks!

They are "do it your self" mods.
I got my 16oz 7/8" x 5" recoil reducer from MPC Sports
When the butt pad is off, there is a hole already drilled in the butt stock that will fit a 7/8 in diameter mercury recoil reducer. It's a tight fit but I took a 7/8" drill bit and just ran it down as far as it would reach and used a punch and hammer to pound the recoil reducer in the rest of the way till it bottoms out.
That hole is deep enough where you might even be able to fit another 8oz 7/8" x 3" reducer in there with the first one.

The limbsaver pre-fit recoil pad fits the ruger about perfect. Just make sure it's the one listed to fit ruger #1
It is easy to install because you just remove the screws holding the old pad in and screw the new pad on. It does make a noticeable difference in the feel of recoil.

Mine is barrel-heavy, but then it is a heavy rifle even without scope or recoil reducer. I have not shot it for a while (now living in Japan) but the recoil was acceptable and distinctly more pleasant than a Ruger 77 in .338 WM.

Oops, just noticed that yours is a .458 Lott. That's good -- but a bit more than my .458 Win Mag, so maybe the reducer and pad are a good idea. The yo-yos on YouTube delight in heavy recoil, but I don't if I can avoid it.