ok its time for a christmas present for myself. A ruger no1 in either of the above calibers is all thats on the list so far. both are available and i'm torn between the two. Big bear and moose are on the menu but so are blacktail deer. both are overkill but how does the 9.3x74 respond to reduced loads? thanks for all the help.

quote:

both are overkill

I´m not so sure, here in Finland 9,3x74R is quite normal caliber to moose, rifles are mostly VALMET 412 doubles. Good choice IMHO.

Get both of 'em.

I've had a lot of fun with my .450/.400. As well as the full tilt 400gr. loads, I've worked up a very usable 300gr. (.411 Win.405 bullet) for Blacktail deer and have a lot of fun with a TrailBoss + 210 gr. .41 handgun bullets. Lots of variety with the .450/.400.

~

I know I will take a lot of heat for this but I will say it anyway.

The Ruger No.1 chambered in 9.3x74R is a well balanced tool. If you want a 450/400NE single shot then I suggest you get a rifle built on an action larger than the Ruger.

In my opinion, the Ruger No.1 is too small an action for a properly proportioned 450/400. I know that people have built very large bore rifles out of the Ruger but every big one I have seen has been barrel heavy and action light. The .375 H&H is the biggest caliber that the Ruger should be offered in. I consider .45-70 an exception because it is not in the same class as a 450/400, 458 WM, 470 etc. Ruger must agree because they have rightly seen fit to offer the .45-70 in the Medium Sporter model and not the heavy barreled Tropical model. It is a shame that Ruger doesn't offer a No.2 as a larger companion to their No.1.

As I await the coming onslaught I will continue to chant the words, "Barrel heavy and action light. Barrel heavy and action light. Barrel heavy and action light......"

I guess I do disagree. I have a number of Ruger customs, several of them are larger calibers and I really like the balance and proportions. I think the problem is that too many people get into the long graceful barrel look with singles, and try to carry it over to big bores. It doesn't work. A big bore is a brute of a working tool, and should look that way. A No. 1 in 450/400 or 458 with a short, heavy barrel works and carries well. I like the size of the action since you can get your hands around it and it is not unwieldy or overly tall and thick. I do believe that above this size (40 to 45) you run out of metal to work with.

I have a Ruger No.1 9.3x74R. Reduced loads work well on deer and hogs at close range. The are also good for offhand practice. I have killed several large hogs with cast lead and Speer 270 gr. bullets loaded to 1800 fps.

From Handloader #123
Bullet Powder Velocity
Barns 250 gr. 35.5 gr. Alliant Reloader No. 7 1735 fps
Barns 250 gr. 38.5 gr. Alliant Reloader No. 7 1816 fps

I think you live in the perfect place to own both....

I vote for the 9.3x74r, and I have gotten superb accuracy whether loading up or down. My current 9.3x74 is on an Encore platform, but I also have a barrel ordered for my Blaser K95.

My Encore is a "one hole" shooter and is heck on hogs.

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:
~

In my opinion, the Ruger No.1 is too small an action for a properly proportioned 450/400. I know that people have built very large bore rifles out of the Ruger but every big one I have seen has been barrel heavy and action light. The .375 H&H is the biggest caliber that the Ruger should be offered in. I consider .45-70 an exception because it is not in the same class as a 450/400, 458 WM, 470 etc. Ruger must agree because they have rightly seen fit to offer the .45-70 in the Medium Sporter model and not the heavy barreled Tropical model. It is a shame that Ruger doesn't offer a No.2 as a larger companion to their No.1.
..."

I'm not sure what you are saying. That the No.1 action is too light to handle the .450/.400 cartridge or that the action is too light to provide a nice balance to the gun.

I strongly disagree on both counts. No.1 action strength is unquestioned as one of the strongest and safest out there!

With the addition of a slightly heavier recoil pad, I couldn't ask for a better pointing and easier carrying gun.

Aww just to stir the pot, get the 450/400. I had one and thought the balance was great. Plus the cool factor of saying 450/400 Nito Express.......


Mad Dog

quote:

Originally posted by harvey stern:
I'm not sure what you are saying. That the No.1 action is too light to handle the .450/.400 cartridge or that the action is too light to provide a nice balance to the gun.

I strongly disagree on both counts. No.1 action strength is unquestioned as one of the strongest and safest out there!

There is no question that the Ruger is plenty strong. But, in my opinion, heavy big bore barrels are disproportionate to the action size. What you end up with is a big, heavy barrel with a little action hanging on the end. Some of the big bores built on the Ruger would balance under the rear sight unless significant quantities of lead were not inserted into the stocks. The alternative, a very short barrel, is just as much a compromise to overcome the limitations of using the small action.

There is a reason actions are made in different sizes and if the Ruger action had ever been intended for the big bores then it would have been designed as a larger action. The only reason people, and Ruger, keep building big bores on the No.1 is because Ruger doesn't build a No.2. If the Ruger action was available in a larger size then the big bore rifles would be built on that bigger action. Any way you look at it, using the Ruger No.1 for the big bores is a case of making do with what you have and leaves you barrel heavy and action light.

Here's a .416 Rigby with a 16" barrel!


On the other hand, Ruger chose to offer the 9.3x74R in their Medium Sporter model - a very well balanced combination.

thanks for all the replies everyone. i just ordered my 9.3 today. it will make a good companion for my 303.

Jeff, who makes that neat cartridge holder on the forearm of your encore? seems like the perfect spot for keeping a couple spares on any kind of breach loader.

once again thanks for all the replies. you will soon be seing me post pics and questions about handloads i'm sure.

quote:

Originally posted by hdjno83:
Jeff, who makes that neat cartridge holder on the forearm of your encore? seems like the perfect spot for keeping a couple spares on any kind of breach loader.

once again thanks for all the replies. you will soon be seing me post pics and questions about handloads i'm sure.

The shell holder is a Blaser item, and I bought it off Gunbroker from Mad Dog in Scottsdale, AZ. It is very handy!

FYI: 9.3x74 has proven to be very easy to load for. Every load I have cobbled together has shot under an inch at 100 yards and most go into one hole if I do my part.

I like the 450/400 of the two.
Robgunbuilder I think has a ruger #1 in 405 win but lengthened the throat to shoot at 450/400 velocity but less recoil. This makes the 405 win a twin of the 400 whelen in performance Being a ruger #1 the pressures can be run hotter.
That's the route I would go.
Rob is pretty smart for a scientist.

Here's a .416 Rigby with a 16" barrel!


[/QUOTE]

I now see the point you are trying to make - that is one ugly rifle BUT looks nothing like my .450/.400. No. IH.

That barrel is obviously a much larger contour than the Ruger 1H, has a muzzle brake with no visual appeal and just to draw more uneeded attention combines a blued rib, barrel band and sight on a SS matte finished barrel ? You couldn't plan for something more ugly IMO and it would look as ugly on a NO.2 (if one were made) or a Hagn or Soroka!!!

I call BS on muzzle brakes,get a good pad,work UP your loads and you'll be fine...My gunsmith just finshed mine...

I have a .450/400-3" No.1 for sale in the classifieds...

Thx.

Since I have one of each I'm not the one to give advice.

For Hdjno83,
I personally prefer the 450/400 NE 3in. BUT
either one you get be aware the safety bar is
TOO Long. It will stop rimmed cases from fully ejecting and keep them in the feed ramp.
The front end of the safety bar needs to be bobbed off to facilitate ejection. Get hold of an empty piece of brass for each caliber, If You Can, and try them for proper ejection with a "smart" flip of the lever. Ruger is aware of this problem but won't fix it. They say just turn the gun over and dump the empty out. Fat
chance to remember this if you are facing DG and have to rapid reload. All of the rimmed cartridges have this problem in the NO 1 Ruger.

Just trying to help.

Good Hunting

Tetonka
DRSS