Ruger No. 1 .45-70

[Blunderbus]

Am getting a new (to me) Ruger No. 1 Medium Sporter in .45-70 within a month or two at the most.  I have owned a No. 1 RSI in the past and have handled quite a few other No. 1s,  Standard, Light and Tropical.   I am very enamored of the balance and fit of this one. It feels like a rifle I'm going to want to spend a lot of quality time with.  I will be tempted to leave it in irons, but maybe I can find a scope that doesn't destroy the balance.

Given the cost of factory ammo, this rifle may finally turn me into a reloader. This is my first .45-70, however, and I will probably start with a box of standard Remington factory 405s.

How much of a recoil beating am I in for, here?

[Silvertp]

That depends on the rounds that you send down the tube.  Ive got a #1 S in 45/70.  When I sighted it in with factory 405 gr. ammo I almost chuckled at how mild the recoil was.  (I am not recoil sensitive).  Later on in working up handloads I found that you can really bring a Ruger 1 in 45/70 to life (read as...make'em kick like a mule)  by loading heavy bullets with near max powder charges.  For hunting white-tailed deer in timber,  I have settled on a moderately stiff 350 grain load, that isn't too bad off the bench but you know you are firing a serious gun. I would feel very comfortable hunting elk or bear in timber with this same load.   On the otherhand I hardly notice the recoil or muzzle blast when taking game.

My #1 S is definitely one of my favorite rifle / cartridge combination for hunting in timber where ridge to ridge shots are not anticipated.  I have now mounted a Vari XII 1.5 x 5 power Leupold which I believe enhances my accuracy and does not diminish the sweet handling characteristic of the gun.

Enjoy...you picked a winner!

Silvertp

[Blunderbus]

Silvertp,

Thanks for your reply and particularly for your scope suggestion.  If I decide to scope it, that Leupold might be just the ticket.

I'm not too recoil sensitive, but I don't know if I'll ever take full advantage of the kind of loads this rifle can handle. Then again, I like the fact that I can if I want to.  I also like the idea that this is a good round to play with bullet casting, paper patching, and even loading with Pyrodex or Goex, in a pinch.

[iiranger]

Mine was a #3. 500 grain bullets, even lead trap door loads "come back at you." I can stand the 300 grain Hornady all day, although I suppose I would be sore the next day. And the 350, jacket or lead, is a nice compromise. Just don't expect long case life if you max out the loads. This case dates from black powder. There is a reloader 7 load with a 300 grain bullet, 2200 FPS as I recall. And Trapdoor pressures. You might want to see if it shoots for you and even cut it down a bit... luck.

[quickdtoo]

Just don't expect long case life if you max out the loads. This case dates from black powder.

Modern made brass is made to stand the top load level which is 50kcup for Ruger level loads, anyone that thinks the brass is made the same as it was 135yrs ago needs to do a little research. A reloader using blackpowder is likely to have more problems than using high pressure smokeless loads in a Ruger. Keeping loads moderate will definitely extend brass life, but it's pretty good stuff, specially Starline.

http://www.marlinowners.com/board/viewtopic.php?p=78453&sid=3bd58833940536f580c5c4857808c6f2

Tim

45-70 - Has been tested at elevated pressures suitable for Magnum Heavy Hunting Loads in adequate gun systems. When loading with black powder, annealing of mouth may be necessary to allow case to properly seal chamber due to lower pressures generated by these loads. Reason being case is produced very strong to withstand high pressure loads associated with smokeless hunting loads and since the only way to make brass harder is to work the material our only option is to leave them stiffer and the customers can anneal for specific application. See annealing procedure in commonly asked questions, section #4.

http://www.starlinebrass.com/descriptions.html

[Rangr44]

[maybe I can find a scope that doesn't destroy the balance.]

This Simmons 2.5X has a longgg 5" of eye relief, is 7" long and weighs only 8oz.

I loved it, on my #1 .45-70.  It's more like a peep sight, than a scope - and just as fast on snap shots.


http://www.amazon.com/Simmons-Point-2-5X20-Shotgun-Scope/dp/B0002BTLOS

[quickdtoo]

Those scopes aren't bad, I got one from CDNN for $30 shipped for a Handirifle, but I think the Ruger deserves as nice a scope as you can afford.

Tim

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/si28shpocosc.html

http://www.angelfire.com/ma/ZERMEL/ruger1wp.html

[lngrng]

I've had many .45-70's over the years...............In the past, I've had a Ruger #1, Ruger#3, 2 Marlin 1895SS's, and a Marlin 1895 Cowboy. I currently have a 1875 C. Sharps long range, a Shiloh 1874 Sharps Saddle rifle, a Ruger #1, and a Marlin ported Guide gun.  ALL were a pleasure to shoot with mild loads, but run the loads up to max for the particular gun, and they can be a handfull. The Ruger #3, on the other hand, was brutal due to the stock design and lightweight. The best description I can give for it is that it's the rifle that kills on one end and cripples on the other...........trouble is, you wonder which end you have ahold of!
The #1 is a great rifle, and the .45-70 a wonderful round. Even with all the modern calibers I have, I cannot imagine being without a .45-70 or three!

[Blunderbus]

I have a C. Sharps color brochure on my desk at work.  I am much enamored of every rifle on that brochure.

For now, however, the No. 1 seems a more practical (and affordable) alternative. That  Faquarson-inspired falling block action is a thing of beauty in its own right. 

I very nearly obtained a No. 3  in .223 years ago but (long story) it sadly got away. I've never had the chance to buy another one, although I did later pass on a Hornet I probably should have grabbed.

[BlkHawk73]

  My .45-70 #1 is my favorite rifle.  Not bad at the range either.  Shhots very well but I think a NECG rear sight may be added for next season.

[kennisondan]

I just shot mine for the first time this weekend : about 40 rounds of the factory remingtons, and found it just fine, not the recoil I expected, but you know it is there.. a bit more than the 26Inch octogan barrelled marlin CowBoy with the tube full of NINE rounds for added weight... was very pleased with the accuracy as well... in both guns actually..
I opted to try a good sized scope with cross hairs that have markings all the way on the sides and the bottom for other intersections/points of aim... I will need them when I get to shooting further ( it is a boone and crockett model Leupolds 4-14AO ) it makes and interesting and not unweildy rig, as I was wondering if it would destroy the handling of htre gun, but it did not...
I was surprised bu tnot disappointed at the trajectory -- I use the intersection above the crosshairs for 25 yards and it drops 2 or so inches below line of sight at 120 yards, and did not get to shoot further on that day.. but I will see where the other hash marks put the point of impact at other yardages and play a bit more..
I have always loved the No 1s.. still do.. I would not fear the 405s  the 300 sinchesters kick a bit more, it seems.. and I KNOW that handloads above that will have some real thump to them... but we will see what to settle on.. I would not  be afraid to use it as is with factory loads or equivlalent .. the remingtons are really a mild load in most respects...
I think you will love that rifle and the cartridge too..
dk

[HEAD0001]

The 45-70 is KING.

NECG  makes a peep sight that fit's into the Ruger bases-it is the berries.  It will definitely make you want to keep open sights on your rifle.

As far as reloading.  I can show you how to load about 1,000 shells for around $300-$400 at the most.  After you spend this money, each 1,000 rounds will cost under $200.  You do not need a bunch of reloading equipment to load for a 45-70.

I use BP and RL7 in my 45-70's.  All you need to buy is an inexpensive lead pot-or even a cheap iron pot for your stove.  I like the Lyman 405 grain mold.  Casting bullets is very easy to do.  There are plenty of expert's on this board that can show you an easy and inexpensive way to do it.  All you really need is a pot, ladle, and a mold.  You can lube your bullets on a cookie sheet.  For my 45-70 BP load I simply fill up the case and lop off the excess with a butter knife.  You can use a dipper for the RL7 if you would like.  The dipper set by Lee is actually accurate if used properly.  Then all you need is an inexpensive press, Lyman FL sizer die, Lyman M-Die to bell the case, and a Lyman seater die.  IMO no crimp is necessary in a single shot.  Buy a couple 1,000 primer's and you are ready to go.

Go to a tire store and sweep up the lead off of the floor.  Most tire stores will hand you a broom. 

There are a few other items that are nice to have, but the items listed will get you going.  I have probably forgot something, but I am sure some one else will chime in.  The beauty of the 45-70 is the ability to have a very effective firearm that can be shot a whole bunch-on the cheap, if you are willing to do a little bit of work.

I do not know why, but it is more fun when you shoot a deer with a bullet that you made.  Tom.