I finally got my stainless #1 in .405 and was extremely pleased with how they shoot.....incredibly, the thing has been putting 3 shots in about an inch at 100 yards (using 300 grain Hornadys and a 4x Weaver scope). Has anyone else had such luck with these guns?

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

Quit Teasing. I want one but I want so many others that I can't get my priorities straight. Sean

I know the feeling.

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

Lee Martin,

I have been curious about that rifle and cartridge too. I did hear that the orignal .405 Winchester lever actions kicked pretty hard. did you find the recoil on yours any worse than say a .45-70 number 1?

Thanks,
1b

A No. 1 in .45/70 will fire 400 grain bullets at over 2200 FPS MV, if you are so inclined. This is going to out-kick a .405 firing a 300 grain bullet at the same speed, right??

By about 25%, I think!!!

[ 09-28-2003, 23:04: Message edited by: eldeguello ]

Eldeguello,

Your calculations sound about right -- except that it won't be me pulling a trigger on .45-70 loads trying to be .458 Magnums.

Carve about 300 fps off that full house load and you'll be in my comfort zone that is determined by past rotator cuff surgery.

Regards,
wunbe

Recoil isn't bad.....my dad's old No. 3 in .45-70 is definitely worse with 405 grain slugs.

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

1B, I agree! I have shot such loads , but use the old Keith load of 53 grains of IMR 3031 with 400 grqin bullets as a "standard" .45/70 load. I MIGHT use the other load with a Barnes X bullet if hunting AK Brownies or Polar bear with a .45/70!

[ 09-30-2003, 17:58: Message edited by: eldeguello ]

FWiW, I had my #1B rebarreled to .405 a while back and it's a dandy rifle/cartridge combination. Mine has a long throat and faster twist than normal so it handles 400gr bullets better than the 300gr. I'm getting 2,000 fps from the 24" barrel and groups hovering around an inch.

But my favorite load uses Oregon bullets 265gr WNFP/gc bullet and Unique. I'm getting 1,450fps and 2" groups. It sounds like a .22lr but hits like a .44mag! I'm going to take a deer with that load sometime this year.

Rick

Oops, double tap

[ 10-07-2003, 00:26: Message edited by: Rick R ]

In my rifle, 52.0 grs. of surplus 4895 moving a 300 gr. Barnes-X bullet will regularly group an inch or less at 100 yards for 5 shots. I have some of the new Hornady brass, but haven't tried it yet. This load is in old original Western brand cases.

My rifle is a single shot built on a Springfield '03 action with a barrel from a Winchester M '95. No, guys, I didn't build it. I saw it in a pawn shop for $180 including a mounted Weaver K-3. Couldn't resist.

Also has about a 4-oz trigger pull, which can be a bit disconcerting on a rifle of this power. I would "heavy-up" the trigger, but whoever built the gun glued it into the McMillan stock, so I can't get to the trigger to adjust it.

Naturally, with that trigger I don't hunt with it on public land, but it IS fun to shoot at the range and on private property, plinking.

Based on the recoil in my rifle, I sure wouldn't want much of this cartridge in an original '95 that didn't have the "shotgun" butt shape.

AC

[ 10-09-2003, 23:27: Message edited by: Alberta Canuck ]

Hey Lee Martin,

How long is the barrel on your #1 and what kind of velocity are you getting with the 300 gr. bullet?

I ask because I am having a .405 built on a P14 action.

Good shooting,

Smoker*

Smoker.....it's the standard 24" as offered by Ruger in their stainless #1. Though I've pushed 300 grain Hornadys to 2,300 fps, the gun groups better in the 2,200 fps range.

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com