Considering buying a Ruger 1 in 450/400 and then started thinking. Does the 450/400 offer any real advantages over the 45-70 in the same rifle?
Brass is less expensive and bullets are a heck of a lot easier to find for the 45-70.

Get the 450/400 3 inch. Longer better penetrating bullet. You can load it up in that #1.

The extra barrel length and heavier contour on the #1H in 450/400 makes all the difference with heavy loads versus the lighter contour and shorter barrel of the 45-70.

quote:

Get the 450/400 3 inch.

+1

I'm biased and I like classic rifles and classic cartridges.

the #1 is sorta reminiscent of a british single shot of the african era like a farquarson, so it should be a british africa caliber, like .450/.400 (Love mine!)

the .45-70 is a classic american cartridge of the buffalo era so it should be in a classic american rifle of the buffalo era. Like an 1874 Sharps.
turn your speakers on and go to this website
http://www.shilohrifle.com/

NOW you need to get TWO rifles! aren't you glad you asked for advice on the forum?

oh yeah, the .45-70 is great with slow lead bullets, the .450/400 with jacketed faster bullets, I'd say a different class of cartridge.

shoot good!

Poole

Style Randy, Style! The 45/70 is certainly not associated with ascots, elephants, and Africa.

You should go with the 450/400. It's got the history and panache. Ballistically and financially the 45 seems just as good, but the No 1 is a classy rifle in the Brit style, and the 450/400 just seems like the right fit there. The moose won't know the difference, but it's easier for me to picture myself under a pith helmet with my 450/400 in hand than my 45-70. My 2 cents, for what they're worth.

I have a 1-H in .405 Win. and find is to be a big heavy pig.. Great for shooting off the bench..
A 450-400 3" in a #1-S would be a great rifle in timber for moose and elk but alas it only comes in a #1-H..
I'll be using my #3 in 45-70 with a Decelerator pad installed by the previous owner if I hunt with cast this season..
Of course being a 45-70 it'll be used for close range deer only...

compare SD -- then compare bullet weght/vel/recoil

quote:

The extra barrel length and heavier contour on the #1H in 450/400 makes all the difference with heavy loads versus the lighter contour and shorter barrel of the 45-70.

This is the biggest difference. If the 45/70 could be had in a 26 inch barrel then you would have something to think about. Such as brass and bullet selection, but as currently offered little choice. I have to say, I just dont get it.

Barrel length - or lack of it - is what has kept me from buying a No.1.
Why Ruger insists on short barrels is beyond me. If I could get a 9.3X74 with a 24-26 inch barrel (for my own silly reasons) I would snap one up ASAP!

Considering the comparison is like comparing a 300 Sav to a 30-06...not directly, but relatively speaking...the 45-70 has ~78gr H20 the 450/400 is ~90gr H20...all things being equal like barrel length the 450/400 will have the edge.

But why stop at the 450/400? If you want some hair go with the 450 Nitro at about double the CC of the 45-70 REALLY you can grow a BIG, SHAGGY MANE and hairy legs...or go with the 45-70 R#1 and rechamber to 45-120.

Or, why not a 458 WM or Lott, unless nostalgia is what you're going for.

I think the Hornady 450/400 and 450 Nitro cartridges were designed for doubles and there are better ways to go if you opt for a R#1.

Luck

quote:

Originally posted by Omnivorous_Bob:
Style Randy, Style! The 45/70 is certainly not associated with ascots, elephants, and Africa.

You should go with the 450/400. It's got the history and panache. Ballistically and financially the 45 seems just as good, but the No 1 is a classy rifle in the Brit style, and the 450/400 just seems like the right fit there. The moose won't know the difference, but it's easier for me to picture myself under a pith helmet with my 450/400 in hand than my 45-70. My 2 cents, for what they're worth.

Great advice Bob

I thinke it totally depends on what you are going to use it for. I had a ruger no.1 in 450/400, but sold it after I lost my job. I currently have a ruger no.1 in 375 H&H. I've shot a 45-70 for a long time, but in a marlin, not a ruger no.1

You are right about the cost/availability of 450/400 brass/bullets. Hell, if ya got the money, get both

There is something sexy about 450/400 nitro express....

Mad Dog

I have one of each; they are completely different rifles; the 45-70 has a 22 inch light barrel and kicks like a cow when loaded up to where it should be, and can be in the #1. The .450-400 has a 24 inch heavy barrel which makes it easier to shoot but harder to carry. Just get one of each and sell the one you don't like. they both will shoot a 400 grain bullet at 2100 fps (the 400 will go faster if you increase the pressure), but the 400 will penetrate more, much more.

I have a #1 in 45-120 with a 26" barrel. I can load it up to 458 Lott velocities, or 45-70 levels, or shoot 45-70 ammo in it if I ever needed to.

Bullet selection and cost is much more efficient in the 45 cals.

My wife got a Ruger #1 in 450/400 3 in and loves it. For practice she shoots my standard double rifle load of 70 gr RL#15 behind Hornady DGX 400gr.bullets. About 2100fps in her gun.

For serious hunting she shoots the 360gr North Fork soft nose at 2500 fps. No pressure problems and a very flat trajectory out to 300 yds. Excellent penetration.

Get the 450/400 in a Ruger #1 you will be happy

Good Shooting

Tetonka
DRSS 450/400 3in. K-Gun DR
Band of 45-70ers. (Marlin 1895GG)

I have a 45-120 also. And 45-70, -90, -100, -110 cases too boot. I've even trimmed 45-70 cases down to several much shorter lengths to make 45 LC "Magnums" just for kicks.

For an experimenter I think the 45-120 is the way to go because you can cover a wide range of velocities anc case sizes, but for those that don't play the that game, the several 45 cal rifle cartridges are there to chose from.

You basically have a rimmed 458 WM in the 450/400 and also many choices of bullets and velocity so you can't go wrong with it.

Luck

How bout a '74 Sharps in 450NE? The Best of Both Worlds.

I had a #1 in 45-70. It shot the best with the hottest loads in the book. The evil thing kicked so hard it knocked my eyes out of focus for half a second when shooting of the bench. An extra pound or two would have helped.

Dave

45-90 and you can shoot 45-70 ammo or hotload a 45-90

Ruger No.1 in 45-70 could use a longer barrel. I had a No.3 and sold it to get a No.1. I had that one rebarreled by McGowen with a heavier 28 in. BBl. That really allowed me to get better range of power and use slower powders.