Ruger #1 in 45-70

[Zachary]

I was thinking about getting a Ruger #1 Stainless Laminated in 45-70 for use on hogs (and I guess deer) for shots no more than 150 yards (closer to 50 - 100 yards actually).

Anybody have any thoughts or experience with the 45-70 in this gun?

Zachary

[oldpete]

Of all the rifles i have bought, sold and hunted with over the last 40 plus years, this is the one i miss the most. Only hunted deer with mine, 3oo gr. rem. hp and 55 gr. 3031. Sold it for some unknown reason- stupid !

oldpete

[Zachary]

Oldpete,

How was the accuracy in your particular gun?  What was its barrel length?

Zachary

[oldpete]

Zachary

Around 1" at 100 yds. with a 4x Leupold compact, the only #1 that i have had that shot better was 30-06 #1 B.

I just picked up a used #1 International 7x57 and I will take it to the range today and check it out.

oldpete

[Zachary]

That's a good group at 100 yards for a 45-70. :-)

Zachary

[Hook]

My No.1 will shoot 1" or less with several loads. The best load has been a 405 grain R-P over 50 grains of surplus 4895. It will shoot an inch most of the time. The last two measured groups getting ready for deer season this year were .48" amd .25". I'm not good enough to do that all the time, but the rifle is! I have a 4X Leupold on it.

[jneihouse]

I bought a new Ruger 1 stainless in 45-70 and had my gunsmith rechamber it to 45-120 for me.  The gun is an absolute blast to shoot.  There is just something special about dropping one of those looong rounds into the chamber and clicking the bank vault like action of the number 1 closed on it.  Mine shows a definite preference for 405 grain bullets and is very accurate with several loads ranging from 90 grains (by volume) of clearshot to 98 grains of IMR 7828.  Recoil is very stout with the big smokeless powder loads, though.

John Neihouse

[Zachary]

I have read several articles about the 260 gain Nosler partitions in the .45 caliber.  I have these bullets in a .454 casull and they are the most accurate ones I have.  I also understand, again, from what I have read, that the 300 grain Nosler Partitions are very accurate in the 45-70.  Of course no one bullet will necessarily be accurate in all guns, but do you guys generally agree that the .45 caliber Nosler Partitions are generally more accurate than other types of bullets?  Also, what about performance?  Have you guys ever used this bullet on game?

Zachary

[onesonek]

Years ago I aquired two #1's from my great uncle. One of them, we built on a 30 cal. wildcat, the other in a 45-70.  Since, I have rethroated the 45-70 to accomodate the 350 gr. Barnes X, seated to 3.020. This particular set up likes both RL7, and H322, depending on air temperature. 2250 fps is easy with this rifle, and will shoot silver dollar sized groups all day, any day at 200 yards.  And that X is devistating on anything up to Elk.   I'm not much on big bore, light bullets. 300's are as light as I've gone, and slowed down to 2000 fps for deer at short range. But, for the most part, I just shoot the 350 X's now. They should get the attention of a hog, and work well on deer.  The 45-70 #1, is still my favorite hunting rig.  One these years, I would like to stuff a 450 gr X in it, and go chase a Brownie!.  Good luck, and good shootin.  O.