I've got a 450/400 Ruger No. 1 coming in the mail, NIB factory rifle. Does anyone have experience with this gun or cartridge? I've read most of the threads on this board about the 450/400 but haven't found much on this particular gun.

I've got 4 boxes of Hornady brass and quite a few .408 cast bullets ready to go, should be fun.

Just that your gonna love it. It does have a bit of push in the #1...its no 06' thats for sure. A nice rifle in a classic cartridge.

Woodrow: When you say "it's no 06' that's for sure", what does that mean?

Probably telling me that it recoils more than a 30-06.

It seems everyone knows the amount of recoil an 06 doles out...just a guage. The 450-400 put out a bit more recoil than I thought it would...kinda caught me off guard when I pulled the trigger for the first time. I did have them stoked a bit since the #1 action can handle it. I still like it though.

I've got cast bullets and Trail Boss powder to start up with, along with a box of Hornady factory ammo to compare. Should be fun; I've had 458 Winchesters, which seem to be the most common big bore so that is the yardstick I'll compare recoil to.

That's what I thought you meant but was not sure. I agree that gauging recoil by 30-06 standards is a good idea since most people have fired one. I have fired several 30-06's, including the Model 70 Featherweight. That one really does kick noticeably harder than the others!

I can tell you this, a 4O0 grain bullet at 2150 fps from a 416 Rem. in a Ruger #1 is some sweet shootin. Big differince in recoil from the 2400 fps loads. I believe that is the classic 450/400 load. Not a 3006 but not hard to get use to.