Guys,
With the small thread on the Ruger No1, and the large case of the 416Rigby ... is there any reason NOT to load the Rigby up as a 416Weatherby?

Similarly, any reason not to build a 378Wby on this action ... other than it'll kick the snot out of you?
Cheers...
Con

I am aware of Ruger #1's having been made in calibers up to 577 nitro express (SSK Industries does them). Very strong, just don't load so hot that your cases get sticky. Not much caming power for extraction.

Yes, a friend has a 577NE ... but its a 35k psi cartridge. Some say the 500Nitro is the actions limits, but that's also a low pressure cartridge.

So ... at 65k psi ... where are the No1 rifles limits regarding what size cartridge can be fitted to it. Specifically, is the 416Rigby/big Weatherby case size too large when running it at full throttle?

Can a Ruger No 1 action be rethreaded for a larger barrel thread diameter to put more metal over the Rigby/Weatherby sized cases?
Cheers...
Con

In an earlier post I described a Ruger #3 chambered for the .460 Weatherby I once owned. No, I did not shoot it, but the man from whom I acquired it did. He used full house Weatherby loads-only twice. Hope this helps.

Stephen

To be sure, you'll need to do the hoop stress calcs based on the following:

Known material/state of barrel.

Minor diameter of shank thread.

Chamber dimensions.

Maximum chamber pressure.

You should also do a thrust calc. but that's unlikely to be a concern in a modern falling block design.

A hotly loaded Wby case will be more of a challenge than a hotly loaded 577 or 500 nitro. An error in handloading the Wby could see pressure over 70k.

Contact SSK, they have done just about everything these is to be done to a Ruger #1.

I did a 338/378 KT on a No.1 back in 1984. The guy likes to hot rod his stuff and that concerned me a little. Mainly because of the extractor cut more than the shank to case size ratio. After all the threaded tenon, for all it's diameter, was surrounded by a pretty rugged, snug fitting No.1 action, and a more than adequate breech locking bolt assembly. I spoke with him this past fall and the KT is still going strong. I wouldn't have one. With todays high performance Ultra Mags and their spin offs, that would work great with these, I see no real need unless it's just for bragging rights.

quote:

Can a Ruger No 1 action be rethreaded for a larger barrel thread diameter to put more metal over the Rigby/Weatherby sized cases?
Cheers...
Con

The un-barreled Ruger #1 I have in the shop at its smallest diameter is .175",measured from smallest diameter in reciever to smallest outside measurement of reciever. You also have to contend with the hanger off the bottom of the reciever.