I just recently completed my Ruger #1 project. Started with a stainless 45/70 and sent it to IT & D for Dave to rebarrel. Rebarreled it with a 26" stainless barrel, and bead blasted the barrel and action. Chambered to 45/120. Copied the factory contour out to the end of the quarter rib, then went straight all the way to the muzzle. Used the factory quarter rib, but no sights.
I already had changed the pad to a decelerator, and I added a one pound merc tube in the stock hole.

I am using Norma brass and 83.0 grains of H4198 with the 300 grain Barnes X bullets (flat and pointed). This is pretty much a 458 Lott load, but there are no signs of pressure. It shoots 3 shots touching at 100 yards. 2750 fps. Recoil is a sharp punch, but not horrible.

I have a 3-9 Ziess Conquest on it.

Congrats!

Would you mind posting some pictures?

cool!!! i ahve some 45-120 nitro loads on ammoguide

Ken,
Congratulations, that sounds like a very potent load you have worked upand a nice gun to shoot it in. I am just in the development stages myself. I intend to convert a 45-70 Remington Rolling Block to a 45-120 just to get started but it won't be shooting loads anywhere near that hot. I want to use it as a test gun to develope loads for a couple of double rifles that I intend to build in the same caliber.
Do you have any suggestions for me on a possible 300 grain bullet load that isn't quite so punishing. The rolling block has a 1 1/8 X 26 inch barrel on it and the gun weighs 11.5 pounds so the recoil should not be too bad. Numerick Arms put a dovetailed and hardened faceplate on it and installed a smaller diameter firing pin some years ago. I am hoping this gun will hold the pressure O.K.
I basically want to come up with a 300 to 400 grain load that will extend my hunting range on Whitetails out to 200 yards or maybe a bit more.
A second load for a possible American Bison hunt would also be nice. Thanks for any help you can give me. I realise that this is somewhat off the subject of your new gun and I don't wish to hijack your thread.
I do appologise for asking this here but it seemed like a good place to start. Bob

Nice looking rifle, you should put this in at least 4 or 5 more subject forums.