Help me decide what to do with a #1 in 45-70.
1. Rechamber to what?
2 Rebarrel to what?
3. Keep it the same and load how?
Thanks
Frank

450 NE now that hornady has ammo and components

Frank, #3, and any way you want.

Keith

Thanks guys, that certainly gives me the options. I have been shooting the 45/70 for a number of years and I guess I just wanted to try something a little different.
The NE sounds good as well but I suspect the recoil in the #1 will be a bit stiff as well. Does the long cartridge feed easily in the #1
Boom stick have you got any figures on recoil, loads or ways others have used this combo.
By the way, are you still in the Camarillo area? Seems I still owe you a cup of coffee. I am forced to relocate there to care for my Dad for a while. I would like to meet up with you if you are still in the area.
Frank

45/120 and load it to "ne" ..
Howdy Frank!

Frank,

Original 45/70 #1 has light barrel contour, wrong twist rate and shorter barrel.
The 450 NE rechamber is better in the #1-H Tropical model.
45-110 or 45-120 is better idea.

Nitro450exp.

Just curious what cailber would be best for the 450 ne change over? or does it really matter?

I just had a Shiloh Sharps in 45-70 rechambered to 45-90 to make it a bit more useful (read longer range and heavier bullets with black powder)but it has a 34" barrel. The 45-120 is a near copy of the 3.25" 450 NE, but it's such a big case that you might be limited to heavy loads.
The 45-90 is just .3" longer, and dies and brass are readily available.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

Jeffeosso had the idea of doing the 45-70 Nitro that is a long throated 45-70 to get 45-90 performance on the 45-70 case with regular 458 rifle bullets.

Maybe a custom minimum bullet shank in the case bore rider will do you fine. Say 400 grains with the canalure .250" up from the botom and minimal bearing surface to get 400@ 2250fps.

CP cartridge in #1's is getting 405's @2150

http://www.cpcartridge.com/45-70ruger-P.htm

My problem with the Ruger 45-70 is that it DOESN'T come in the Tropical. Ruger should make it in the same dimensions as their 458.
If I wanted something other than the 45-70, I'd sell it and get the 450/400 Nitro Express 3!

I think in a #1,
a .375 H&H is about as much power as I would want. But If you are going to rebarrel, you might as well but a better pad on it too, then a 416 or somthing bigger might be fine.
Those Ruger recoil pads are really just skid pads so your rifle wont slide out and fall when you lean it against a wall.
Not much cushion there...tj3006

quote:

Originally posted by Thomas Jones:
I think in a #1,
a .375 H&H is about as much power as I would want. But If you are going to rebarrel, you might as well but a better pad on it too, then a 416 or somthing bigger might be fine.
Those Ruger recoil pads are really just skid pads so your rifle wont slide out and fall when you lean it against a wall.
Not much cushion there...tj3006

I agree with every syllable of the sentiments of that assessment, even though I have both a .405 and a 450/400 in the No. 1 !! I also agree with Idaho sharpshooter. If I was going to change its chambering at all, it would be to 45-90, and I'd probably go with the original, lighter, 45-90 express bullets as well.

Well heres a revolutionary idea ,,,Re chamber it to 450 NE but handload with a 350 gr TSX bullet @ 2500 fps then go see what it won,t kill well ...

A 50 Alaskan would be fun.

msorenso,

The 458 Win Mag or Lott is the best staring point for a 450 NE rechamber.
The 450 NE reamer will remove all traces of the old chamber.
Usually the 458's have twist rates suitable for the 500 grain bullets and at least 22" barrels.
The modern 45/70 is intended to handle 300 ~ 405 grain bullets at fair velocity, the 458 was intended to duplicate the 450 NE.
Regards

What is the twist rate for a 450 NE? what is the twist rate on a 45-70 #1?

Specs for the
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/firearms/FAProdSpecsView?model=1327
1 in 20 seems set for heavy bullets.
Frank

Boom stick.

Ruger No.1 - S (Med Sporter) 45/70 7.25 lb, 22" barrel, 1:20 RH twist. .458 bullet 1400 ~ 1900 fps (factory loads)

Ruger No.1 - H (Tropical) .458 Win 9 lb, 24" barrel, 1:14 RH twist. .458 bullet 2150 fps (Factory load? )

450 NE .458 480gn 2150 fps, twist calculator states 1:14" twist. Original double rifle twist ?

My converted No.1 shoots all bullets 300 ~ 500 no problems and very consistant and accurate.
Regards

Hmmmmm... so the question is will a 500 grain bullet at 2200 fps be stable?

the Greenhil Formula

http://www.nfa.ca/content/view/134/197/

And another formula for the math guys out there.
http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2008/06/03/calcula...rates-and-stability/

I have a no-1 in 45-70 that was rechambered to the 450 nitro , as long as you stay around the older Black powder express loadings it is fun to shoot, and I have no problem with the 500 grain slugs, now once you step up to true nitro loadings its a tad bit unpleasent

For a 450 nitro I plan use the hornady cartriges until I get some brass collected. To have a smith do the conversion should I just use the lott instead of 45-70.

I'm with Jeffe on the 45-110 or 120. Its easy to do and WORKS REALLY WELL. Those LONG cases impress everyone and give you great confidence just looking at them.-Rob

458 lott

But why go with the 45-120 when you have factory ammo in the 450 NE and can load down to 45-70 levels?

Why would you want to load down to 45-70 levels if you already have a 45-70?-Rob

Boring....try a 475 #2.....or a 50-110 or something different...

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
Why would you want to load down to 45-70 levels if you already have a 45-70?-Rob

Well he is used to the recoil and trajectory of 45-70 balistics.

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
What is the twist rate for a 450 NE ...?

It is CIP-ed currently at 1:381.00mm.

That is EXACTLY 1:15" TWIST.

If that is what the twist for the 450 NE 3.25" was originally in 1898, and ever since, for this the first "Nitro Express" ever, then that would explain why it was so effective with the .458/480-grain bullet at about 2150 fps.

The 1:14" twist Ruger No.1 Tropical in either .458 WinMag or .458 Lott is a perfect re-chamber candidate for 450 NE 3.25". Perfect for 500-grainers at 2150 fps or faster.

A little more twist than necessary is way better than not enough in a big game hunting rifle.

When will the factory-made Ruger No.1 rifles in 450 NE 3.25" be on the dealer shelves? Hornady is already making the brass.

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:
Well heres a revolutionary idea ,,,Re chamber it to 450 NE but handload with a 350 gr TSX bullet @ 2500 fps then go see what it won,t kill well ...

Why would you want to handi-cap the Nitro with a sissy light wiegth bullet?

I think the 450 NE #1 will make a fine pop gun with the open sights

I never really said I wanted to stay with 45-70 ballistics. I just thought the #1, being as light as it is would telegraph the recoil rather sharply. I like heavy hitters as well as the next guy and just trying to decide on which to convert the #1 to.
So far the 450 is out front with the 45/90 a bit back.
Will the 20 inch barrel allow for the added powder capacity to be fully utilized or will it be way overbore for the terminal ballistics to reach full potential?
Frank

Cant wait to see the video of the 450 NE #1 being shot I will test fire it for you if you want

If it were me I would snatch that 45/70 barrel off and put a new one one chambered in 50 B&M Alaskan! This with a 20 inch barrel is fantastic, barrel taper to your specs.

SSK Industries can do this easy.

My 2 cents for what it is worth!

Michael

I'd leave it the way it is and buy a new No. 1 in 450/400.

Landrum

quote:

Originally posted by Frank Martinez:
I never really said I wanted to stay with 45-70 ballistics. I just thought the #1, being as light as it is would telegraph the recoil rather sharply. I like heavy hitters as well as the next guy and just trying to decide on which to convert the #1 to.
So far the 450 is out front with the 45/90 a bit back.
Will the 20 inch barrel allow for the added powder capacity to be fully utilized or will it be way overbore for the terminal ballistics to reach full potential?
Frank

My No.1 in 45-70 was long-throated about a decade ago (0.30"), so longer bullets can be seated waaaaay out. And it cost the big sum of $75. Done by a world-class smith. With it's original barrel, it'll fire the 500gr Hornady right at 2200fps (consistently over 10 years)! Now don't flame me, as I've checked this out thoroughly and the psi is safe. And very accurate. My favorite load though, is the 350gr TSX at 2400fps (not max) - a very practical load for anything in NA and the recoil is only 50 ft-lbs. It has an 8oz Burris fixed 4X (silver)scope with 5.5" eye relief, and it has taken its lumps in stride for six years! It's the only rifle I have that's not negotiable. It'll be buried with me!

45-120.

okay...
45-100 2.6" case
45-110 2.875" case

Dies are available at a very reasonable price for either. You get to stay with the huge range of quality .458" diameter bullets, and shoot cast for those cheap practice (imagine a 500+gr hardcast bullet at over 2100fps) hammer loads.

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...
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