I would like to purchase a No1 and have the option of ordering either the standard blue model or a "Boddington" edition. Prices are $870 plain and $1170 Bod. model. I know that the Boddington has upgraded wood and QR rings as well as some type of different sight. Are there other difference? For those of you "in the know", is the difference in rifles/upgrades sufficient to justify the $300 difference? Since I am ordering these I sadly have no opportunity to examine them before purchase.

I need your opinions!

Yes!, especially if you are thinking about doing the mods to the rifle, anyway.

Mad Dog

I've seen the Boddington and own the regular #1 in 450/400. It was difficult for me to see the incremental value. Mine is exceedingly accurate and has nice wood. If you plan to scope it, I would not spend the extra for the Boddington.

I took delivery of a standard 1H 450/400NE today. we can't get the Boddington's in Australia unless privately imported.

My opinion ... the Boddington matte finish looks cheap ... just like a Rem SPS. I like the Express rear sight though.

My 450/400NE will need the following done to it to make it perfect ... a new Express sight fitted to replace the standard sight and reshape the safety catch which I think is an abomination! By the time that's done, I'll have the perfect rifle without the expense of a Boddington.

I would only buy the Boddington rifles if I could get an entire set. For a working rifle, i think the standard makes better sense.
Cheers...
Con

Hi Con.How much did the rifle cost and are they still available? They make real sense in the No1 to me.

What Express sight do you plan? Yes the safety sucks, especially for bigger rims, just watch the last scene of Boddingtons African Rifles and Cartridges (or whatever it's called).

Cheers, Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Rockdoc:
Hi Con.How much did the rifle cost and are they still available? They make real sense in the No1 to me.

What Express sight do you plan? Yes the safety sucks, especially for bigger rims, just watch the last scene of Boddingtons African Rifles and Cartridges (or whatever it's called).

Cheers, Chris

Chris,
After mine ... there should be just x3 450/400NEs remaining at the distributors warehouse in Australia. In Australia they retail at around AUD$1300, a private import of a Boddington will set you back AUD$2200ish.

The You-Tube video of a 450/400NE shows the same failure to clear the rear and 'bounce back', the safety is just an atrocious design. It stands proud of the receiver at rear and front, almost as if its designed to be rocked backwards/forwards as a barrel selector. Mine will go to a custom 'smith for redesign. The Express sight will also be made for me to slip into the rear sight dovetail, hopefully a little less obtrusive then what's found on the Boddington rifles.
Cheers...
Con

Thanks Con. Sounds good.

I don't mind the inletted safety shown on one of the forums.

Look forward to your shooting report.

Cheers, Chris

Con you bugger. Ordered today. What dies and cases, and where from?

Won't get a chance to shoot it for a few months. Sigh, another Woodleigh order

Cheers, Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Rockdoc:
Con you bugger. Ordered today. What dies and cases, and where from?

Rockdoc,
Dies ... Hornady $120
Factory loads: $145 per 20
Cases ... none available ... according to the importer (OSA) someone is buying big everytime brass arrives ... hence not much brass floating about.

When I have a chance ... I'll compare the Hornady to some Bertram I have.

Not sure when you ordered yours ... but its either the last or second last unless more arrive.
Cheers...
Con

Thanks Con

Hopefully mine will be in the current order, or I will have to wait, which I have to anyway, it will be a few months before I get a chance to shoot it.

Thanks for the info. How do you find the Bertram brass? The 600Nitro cases aren't too bad, but either some primer pockets were a little tight, or the Fed215's were a little oversize, which has been an issue apparently. Some were bloody hard to seat anyway.

Cheers, Chris

I got the standard Ruger 1H in 450/400 for my wife. Great gun. Didn't find value in the extra cost of the Boddington model. Very pleased with shooting results. Added NEGC Ruger Peep sight. For $85 it comes with 2 aptatures or you can leave them out and it becomes a Ghost Ring rear sight. Just one screw
and it comes right off the std. Ruger rib and you can pop your scope on with the supplied Ruger rings. Wifes gun only changes POI about 1/2 inch when changing sights. The Peep extends the sight radius and gives better accuracy IMO. Good shooting

Oh shoot tetonka. Now you make me feel like I've bought a girls gun! Must order a 450nitro to compensate!

Cheers, Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Rockdoc:
Now you make me feel like I've bought a girls gun! Must order a 450nitro to compensate!

Girls are smarter than boys! The 450/400NE is ample ... if Ruger did a regular 1-H in 450nitro I'd buy in a heartbeat though. But not in a Boddington ... the matte finish looks CHEAP.
Cheers...
Con

Con,
I think Craig Boddington wanted the matte finish as there is no shine given of on a sunny day and with up close dangerous game you don't want to give your position away, I have both and yes the standard No1 looks better in the traditional sense , blued steel & walnut, but the Boddington is to me a working rifle giving you advantages of matte finish and express sights , thats how I see it, I have just ordered a 450NE Boddington to go with it!

Do Ruger intend to bring out a No1 450Nitro as a standard production item? I would like that.

Cheers, Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Rockdoc:
Do Ruger intend to bring out a No1 450Nitro as a standard production item? I would like that.

Cheers, Chris

I'm crossing everything that can be crossed!

sjm,
Look forward to seeing Boddington select a matte finish on one of his working doubles.
Cheers...
Con

Its just a selling point really but it would still help a little I suppose ,I don't mind the matte finish it matches my Winchester M70"Safari Express" .375H&H but on a expensive double even I would go the nice London blue.

quote:

Originally posted by Rockdoc:
Do Ruger intend to bring out a No1 450Nitro as a standard production item? I would like that.

Cheers, Chris

Chris,

I am importing 2 Boddington 450NE's from the US if you are interested about $2200 depanding on the dollar, as for a standard model in 450 it may happen but the 303 is being made after the Boddington 450 so knowing Ruger it may be a year if at all

cheers
Steve

quote:

... so knowing Ruger it may be a year if at all.

I'm hoping for it to be in the 2011 catalogue. There's no big bores in the 1H stable at the moment, the 458WinMag is no longer listed ... only thing better would be a 500Nitro.
Cheers...
Con

Con, managed to pick up 40 new Hornady cases. Didn't spring for the factory loads although they looked good.

What dies did you buy? Are you reloading yet?

Cheers, Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Rockdoc:
Con, managed to pick up 40 new Hornady cases. Didn't spring for the factory loads although they looked good.

What dies did you buy? Are you reloading yet?

Cheers, Chris

Chris,
I grabbed a box of factory Hornady for the brass ... no unprimed brass available.

I do have x6 Bertram cases though ... so will reload them tomorrow and try his 0.408" projectiles in my 0.410" bore. Interestingly ... the Bertram cases are from two seperate lots (different headstamp ... I grabbed samples some time ago and a few more recently) and the shoulder is at significantly different spots.

Dies ... Hornady all the way! I know of one set however that required honing as the internal finish was horrible. Mine seem okay.
Cheers...
Con

Thanks Con. Might get to look at mine this week, but won't have the PTA so will have to wait

Will try and get some dies as I have the brass and projectiles, plus already Fed215's on hand. Might get time to use it come July.

Please post how you go with loads.

How does it shoot with the factory rounds?

Cheers, Chris

Chris,
Got 6 rounds loaded in Bertram brass ... Fed215s, 83gr AR2213SC and a Bertram 0.408" pill.

Will fire them off later today and report back.
Cheers...
Con

Chris,
Oops ... forgot to tighten the rings. Rifle is 'mild' but still jumpy with Hornady factory load and the 83gr AR2213SC load.

Here's a picture of the 450/400NE brass ... two on the left are Bertram, right side is Hornady factory. Notice the difference? they all come out the same though.
Cheers...
Con

Wow, that is some variation in shape! Lucky they are flanged.

I loaded up some 600NE brass from Bertram. Some had really tight primer pockets. Not sure if it was the brass or the primers (Fed 215). They did seat with some effort.

How did the testing go?

Cheers, Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Rockdoc:
Wow, that is some variation in shape! Lucky they are flanged.

I loaded up some 600NE brass from Bertram. Some had really tight primer pockets. Not sure if it was the brass or the primers (Fed 215). They did seat with some effort.
Cheers, Chris

I've attempted to use Bertram brass in several chamberings from 222Rimmed to 50-110 and have been unpleasantly surprised by the variation in dimensions and also the presence of folds and inclusions in the brass case walls, making the cases unsafe to fire. I won't use Bertram brass, initial case wall inspection loss has exceeded 20% and many rims won't even fit into the shellholder. Apparently their QC is null and void.
Regards, Joe

I like the matte finish, but not for an additional $300 bones.

Lou

quote:

Originally posted by Rockdoc:
Wow, that is some variation in shape! Lucky they are flanged.

I loaded up some 600NE brass from Bertram. Some had really tight primer pockets. Not sure if it was the brass or the primers (Fed 215). They did seat with some effort.

How did the testing go?

Cheers, Chris

It would have been the Brass, unlikely to be the primers.


.

quote:

Originally posted by 500N:
It would have been the Brass, unlikely to be the primers.

I gave up on Winchester primers as they are dimensionally a poofteenth smaller, so were loose where CCI and Federal were tight in my 308 etc...

In the Bertram 450/400NE brass, Federal 215s were definately a tight fit, bordering on the REALLY tight.
Cheers...
Con