Anyone out there the have a #1 in 45-70? If so, any complaints? I'm thinking about getting one of these for plinking and local deer/black bear hunting. Although the stainless one looks nice, I'll probably just go with the blue finish.

I'm also considering the same rifle in 458 win mag, just for kicks. I think the 45-70 would be a little cheaper to take to the range however. I read an article recently which discussed use a #1 in 458 Lott but with black power loads, and that does sound kind of fun too.

Opinions?

I have owned two #1 45-70's but lost one in a divorce. Love it and have no complaints. I plink with the 300gr hornady flat nose over
IMR 3031. Hunt whitetail and black bear with the 300 gr Nolser Partition over IMR 3031.

I have one that is my primary deer rifle. I use 50 grains of 4198 and a Hornady 350 grain RN bullet. It shoots honest 1 inch groups at 100 yards.

Yes the recoil will get your attnetion.

With heavy loads the recoil can be fierce. I put a thick recoil pad on mine but it still bucks. It's a great hog rifle.

I have one and no complaints. It shoots real well. Someone told me that the 45/70's all shoot well in the number 1. Not sure I would want to shoot a #3 45/70. I had a #3 .223 and sold it like a dumbs**t. Also was a dumbass when I sold my #1 375 H&H. Something on the gunrack always calls to me.

I have seen at the Austin Texas gunshow a #3 375 winchester converted to a 375 H&H. Also a 1A that was a special run in 22 long rifle.

I have the #1 Tropical in .458WM.

The advantages are:

-Heavier barrel for reduced recoil.
-2" longer barrel for better ballistics.
-Lower pressure to get the same performance.
-Better top-end performance.
-Handles 500+gr bullets better.
-Brass and bullets just as cheap as 45-70.

The disadvantages are:

-Fast 1:14 twist is harder on lite cast bullets.
-Huge throating makes it harder to get cast bullets to shoot.
-Uses more powder for equal performance.

I have several cast bullet loads that are 1.5" @ 100yds, but it took a while to find the right combos. Start with IMR-3031.

405gr Remington jacketed are VERY accurate at nearly any speed (up to 2400fps).

A 1 in 14 twist will shoot better with heavier bullets like 500 gr. Try them you will see !

Yup. You're right. I have the RCBS mold for their 500grGC bullet. It actually weighs about 525 or 530 cast out of wheel weights.

It is, by far, the most accurate cast bullet that I have tried in the .458WM.

But at that weight, recoil gets stiff at pretty low vel. If I get it above about 1600 or 1700fps, the fun starts to leave.

But at 1500-1600fps its a great, and very accurate bullet.

I have a #1 in 458 Lott. It DID get a new pad and I like Rem. 405 gr for general use. Cheap in bulk and can be loaded down.

I have had a No1 in 45/70 for many years.
Mine is very accurate with 300, 350, and 400 grain bullets with IMR 3031.
The newer rifles have a shorter throat, thus you must seat the bullets a little deeper.
My favorite bullet is the Hornady 350 RN.

The only complaint I have is that with max loads, it is not pleasant to shoot! But the accuracy is outstanding, as is the handling, etc. A real killer at ranges out to 250 yards, using Barnes Original 400-grain semispitzer bullets at over 2200 FPS at the muzzle-shoots flatter than a .30/30 with 170-grain bullets!

I really enjoy my #3 but wound up cutting the stock to put a pad on after i started shooting at bowling balls. Those max loads really put it to you with that plastic cresent stock. Thought about getting a pistolgrip stock, but i like the looks of it next to my Winchester 94 Trapper.

I have both the Ruger #1 and #3 in 45-70. Both are quite accurate, however, the #3 can be a handful. The #1 shooting 500 gr. bullets at a bit over 1600 FPS will get your attention, but that same sload in the #3 will cause you pain and a flinch in one hell of a hurry. For one thing, the #3's stock is way too short for most people. I put one of those slip on recoil pads on mine and not it's long enough and more comfortable to shoot. Still, I don't shoot the heavier loads in it anymore. Arthritis in my shoulder makes them too painful to shoot that type of load anymore.
Paul B.

Do any of you guys scope the .45-70? I have one I havn't shot for a few year - but I'm thinking its time to play with it again. I was kind of wondering about those new fangled red dot sights and if would take the recoil.

I seem to recall if I loaded light loads to plink with It was difficult to switch to heavy load to hunt with- not enough adjustment on the sight leaf.

quote:

Originally posted by john h:
Do any of you guys scope the .45-70? I have one I havn't shot for a few year - but I'm thinking its time to play with it again. I was kind of wondering about those new fangled red dot sights and if would take the recoil.

I seem to recall if I loaded light loads to plink with It was difficult to switch to heavy load to hunt with- not enough adjustment on the sight leaf.

I have scopes on every rifle I own that will permit one to be mounted. With full-charge 400-grain loads in mine, I found that Leupolds were the ONLY scopes that would tolerate the recoil. However, I did not try the high-priced German ones.....

I had a Weaver K2.5 on mine and it held up under heavy loads. I replace it with a more appropriate NECG aperture sight.

My No 3 wears an old Weaver K3 that i'v had since 1960. It has stood a lot of abuse and never failed. I have in my old age gotten tired
of the heavy loads, and now for fun I load 10gr.unique. Anyone can shoot it and it's fun.
Lyle

A friend has been using a Tasco Titan on his Lott for sometime. I know but it is working great.
Gene

I have one in 45-70 with a Leupold 1.5X5X20mm. It is a tack driver. I have never considered a red-dot for it but if you are going to get a red-dot, look at the ultra-dot. I have one on my 500 MAG and over 2000 rounds fired and not one problem. Now that is some recoil.