According to Ruger, the No. 1 Tropical in 405 Winchester has a bore diameter of .405-.406, a groove diameter of .4120 to .4135, and a twist of 1 in 14.

Would it be viable to rechamber the gun to 450/400 3 inch NE - to shoot a .411 bullet (even though it's a bit less than groove diameter)?

Since the 450/400's rim is .624 and that of the 405 is .543 it seems like something would have to be done with the extractor. The 45/70 rim is .608, maybe the 45/70 extractor would work?

Plugging numbers in the Greenhill formula seems to indicate that the 1 in 14 twist would be sufficient to stablize .411 400 grain bullets.

What do you all think, am I barking up the wrong tree or maybe not?

If this is sensible, does anyone have any suggestions of a gunsmith who might have a chambering reamer and be willing to do the job?

I think www.champlinarms.com still has a Ruger No1 in 450/400 3 1/4".

[ 06-20-2003, 01:29: Message edited by: N E 450 No2 ]

I, personally, would tend to just rebarrel a No.1 with a 26" Lother-walther barrel in 450-400-3"..I still much prefer the 3" version, although I now shoot a 3-1/4".....

Ray, soon you will grow to love "that long impossibly skinny neck" of the 3 1/4".
Although I do like the thick rim of all Jefferies cartridges.

What kind of velocity can you get in a 405 Ruger No1 with a 350 or a 400gr bullet?
If you are not going to Africa and hunt buff or elephant with it is there a "need" to change to a 400 Nitro?

NE 450 #2:

No, probably not going to Africa with it. It's just one of those not-too-logical desires. I'd just like to have a Ruger No. 1 for an old NE cartridge (hopefully, the current AR effort with Ruger will bear fruit).

In finding out about the #1 in 405, it seemed like maybe it would be an easy, inexpensive rechambering and extractor change/work to get a 450/400. Thanks for the pointer to Champlain's, but that would be out of my price range at present.

Some other AR members have been working with 405 and heavier bullets. I think they been getting close to 2000 fps.

I just would like a real 450/400.

akriet

I suggest you give it a try and re-cambers the factory barrel, if that does't work, rebarrel it with a good barrel of your choice there are manny great barrel makers in USA.

Pacific precision grinding makes reamers for all the grand nitro calibers

If green hill says it should work, why not try it

/ JOHAN

akriet
You are correct the 450/400 is a GREAT calibre. Mine is a 3 1/4" double. I have taken deer, wild pigs,2 caribou, and a black bear. Either of the 400's would make an excellent calibre in Ruger No1.