Hi there

I'm just buying my first Ruger and have been told that the #1 can
handle hotter loads then other types of rifles. Is there anyone with
experience out there? Could you pass along your favourite loads?

Bell_hender

Which model? What caliber?
I have a #1V in .223 and use 28Gr of WW748 under a 40 Gr V-MAX. It will shoot around 1/2 inch on a good day.
Pete

The No.1 is indeed a strong action, but I doubt that it will handle loads any hotter than a strong modern bolt action. At least, not with any degree of safety. It is the brass cartridge case that is the weak link in any gun, and using a No. 1 does not render the case any stronger!!

I think that ref. is to other single shots like the Sharps, etc. While the action is strong, the extractor is probably stronger on a Mauser/M70 style bolt action.
I love my #1s. They will shoot as accurately as my bolt guns & w/ 26"bbl. are shorter than a bolt gun/22"bbl. I like hunting w/ the single shot as well. You can practice & reload almost as fast as a bolt. I made an elastic (2) round holder that goes under the scope, around the action. It holds the rounds right where my hand can get to them w/o taking the rifle down to reload, very fast. It does make you place that 1st shot w/ a bit more care.

I was about to post a question on just this topic. I had a #1B rebarrelled to .405 Winchester and I've just got the forearm freefloated and found a load it likes.

So far after working up to the Max load using Varget, Hornady 300gr and Barnes 300gr bullets I'm not seeing any of the usual pressure signs. The primers are still rounded with deep firing pin indents, in fact the fired brass fairly falls from the chamber.

.405 factory ammo is supposed to be @35,000 psi, I'm tempted to up this a bit because none of my ammo will be shot in a 1895 Winchester that was manufactured circa 1905.

Hey Rick, I don't see any reason you can't run the .405 up a bit more. New brass is certainly up to it as is the #1 action. It's alot like the .45-70 lever action/#1 issue. I think you are a trend setter, I believe I just saw Ruger is chambering for the .405 now. What are you using for bullets?

[ 05-01-2003, 05:05: Message edited by: fredj338 ]

I was using the 300gr Hornady JSP bullets and getting @2" groups at 100yds once I got the verticle stringing stopped. Velocity is around 2,300 fps.

My best groups so far though have been with the Barnes 300gr X-bullet at near 2,400fps using Varget. This load wants to shoot into an inch if I do my part.

I've also got some 400gr Barnes solids on order just to see what I can do with them.

As light and handy as this rifle is I figure that it'll do for any hunting I may attempt in the forseeable future

Thanks for the moral support,

Rick

One can indeed upload the Ruger #1 when it comes to the .405Winchester. I shoot the 300gr., but also shoot Hawk bullets 350 and 400gr. round tips in my #1, 1895, and Encore. Since it was initially made for smokeless powder, the .405 can be loaded pretty stout. Even surpassing the .45-70 I believe.

Joe,

Care to share any data on using the 400gr bullets in .405? I'm having a bit of trouble finding data for anything other than the 300gr bullets.

TIA
Rick

I believe the 350 and 400 grain bullets would greatly increase the versatility of the .405, and, using it in a No. 1 actioned rifle would certainly permit one to increase velocities well beyond what is safe in an 1995 Winchester. It would be a toatly "reinvention" of the .405, because, in my opinion, the 300-grain bulletseem to lack sufficient SD for truly large animals like Cape Buffalo and elephant!! (.348 vs .261 for the 400 over the 300 grain bullet!!) Big difference!!

Fred,

Could you post a picture of your elastic cartridge holder? I was going to do the exact same thing for my no.3 in 45-70.

Thanks.

Red

If I can figure out how to post a pic I will. It is really easy:
Get one of those cheap buttsock elastic bands
cut of (2) loops by cutting between the adjacent loops
get a 2" pice of heavy elastic & some velcro
contact cement the loops & velcro to the elastic
have someone stitch around the edges & you're done
I made mine long enough to fit around the middle of the action, under the scope mount w/ just a bit of stretch. Good luck!