Recently received a Lipsey's special-run Ruger No. 1 in .45-70. Barrel is 26 inches long, and stock is Circassian walnut. The figure is plain, but its subtlety is growing on me. The 26-inch barrel is a joy -- very nicely balanced. Hope to get to the range in the morning and see how she shoots. One thing that surprised me a bit is that the throat is short enough that I cannot chamber a round loaded with the Hornady 500-grain RN, even though the various manuals show loads for their .458 heavies in the No. 1.
Here's the gun next to the .450-400 Tropical:





You'll note the butt stocks are a bit proud on both rifles where they join the rear of the action. Sorry to see Ruger cut corners on fit.
I wish Ruger would fit more 26-inch barrels, or even 28s.

A nice rifle, Bill -

Perhaps the wood will come to fit better over a few years of ownership. I am not certain about this, but I sem to recall wood shrinking a bit as it ages. Maybe, though, that is only in climates drier than Oregon's. I hope not.

Still, by having it a bit proud, if you ever have the gun refinished for any reason, it will be no task at all to remove that tiny bit of extra wood in the re-finishing process. Certainly easier than having to add some.

I saw this special run rifle at the Ruger webpage.
A very nice one and I like/prefere the longer barrels. But here many rifles aren´t available. Spezial run´s are impossible to get.


Martin

Well now I'm beginning to suspect this rifle has no throat at all. I loaded some Hornady 350-grain FPs, seated to the cannelure and crimped, and they won't quite chamber either. No problem with 300-grain bullets or the big 525 grain cast government slug, but it has a bore-riding nose. May have to have my smith kiss the chamber with a finish reamer.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill/Oregon:
the big 525 grain cast government slug, but it has a bore-riding nose

You have to accept that a higher power has spoken and you only need to stock and load one bullet. The .45-70 was never meant to be a varmint rifle so indulge yourself with the thumper bumper.

Ramsgate: Well that is certainly one way to look at it. I expect that North Forks and CEBs would fit as well, but they are so bloody expensive!