Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Canada Ruger No 1 - 45-70

After six months of waiting for a Savage Scout in 7.62x39mm, I've run out of patience with them. While I realize that Savage Arms Canada is at the mercy of their parent facility in Westfield, Lakefield's lack of concern for their customers tore it.

I decided to get this instead.



It's a Ruger Medium Sporter in 45-70. I've got a 4 power scope for it and lots of other goodies.

If that don't put a twinkle in your eye, nothing will. Happy blasting!

I love the 45-70!

I've got a 1873 Shilo Sharps, a 1895 Marlin and recently bought an 1885 Winchester Highwall BPCR...........all in 45-70

That Ruger can be loaded up to within a hares breath of a 458 Win Mag.........BANG!

I'm looking forward to getting it to the range. I've had other 45-70s, but it took a long time to buy a No 1. It's my first No. 1 in fact.

I'll get some lead bullets for her and make noise. I've got some loads written down in the work shop. One load using Re 7 shoots to the same point of aim at 100 yd. with a 350 gr. Hornady and a 400 gr. Speer. I think that I'll just concentrate on lead though.

I use an old Lee mold that casts wheel weights at 0.458" and they weigh 405 gr. I use AA5744 powder and am getting about 1300 ft/sec. VERY accurate! I tumble lube them and am getting away without sizing them. Great in my Marlin 1895 and my Buffalo Classic.

Horror of horrors, but try the original 70 gr by volume equivalent black powder load. I use a 500 gr hard cast and they print tight groups way out there. Cngrats on the #1 in a grand old chambering.

Randy

That's just sick! 'Twas my first too, the start of the dreadful sickness. And while it took awhile to warm up to a "single shot", after seeing that "one shot at a time" worked just as well on moose, bears, and other things as a the "speed shooting" bolt actions, my old #1 45-70 is very dear among my assortment of #1s and bolt guns.

While I don't care for the forearm, that is a sweet unit. I'd appreciate an accuracy report when it's all tuned up please.

I'm picking it up this afternoon.

I've got a bunch of cartridges already loaded for it. They are leftovers, originally intended for my Guide Gun. I'll make empty brass then experiment to see what the Ruger likes.

Steve,

Congratulations and condolences, most of us can't stand having just one No. 1, they tend to deflate the wallet rapidly.

The truth be told, I would only consider a rimmed cartridge for this rifle. If I get another, it willl probably be a 303, unless Ruger discontinues them. I hear that they are selling well though.

Oops!

Steve,
Have fun but be warned! If you try the high pressure loads pull your cap on real tight so it doesn't fly off your head.
I had one and after reading much to much Elmer Keith I loaded her right up there. I was starting to flinch and wanted to shoot a decent score at Camp Perry so I sold it.
Now I wish I had kept it.
whelennut

Yeah, I can see where a guy could go over the top with this cartridge. I'm content to stick with what's worked in the past. If I'm feeling a little rambunctious, I'll load some hot and let my buddy shoot it. He likes No 1s.

It's average wood. The trigger breaks at 3.5 lb. It feels like it needs to be broken in.

The flash bleached out a little of the grain, but I'm happy. The wood is dark, like the buttstock.







I used the Ruger rings and mounted a new Weaver 4x on it.



Epps wasn't busy when I was there. It's that off time I guess between seasons. A cool spring and way too windy.

Steve, congrats on a fine purchase! I just got into the ruger no. 1 "sickness". Got a 375 H&H mag, thats going to Africa, in early August. Just bought a 1A, 30-06, for future hunts. Am considering a 1S, 45-70 just like yours. One suggestion, swap out the pad for a pachmyer decelerator, it'll take the sting out of the fun!


maddog

Steve, great rifle in a grand old cartridge! Enjoy.

Guy

Steve;

Learn to hold onto the end of that Alexander Henry forearm and pull it tight into the shoulder... then that hard rubber pad won't matter so much!

It's a grand cartridge in a great rifle. Have fun!

It's still my favorite rifle/cartridge combo, and I've owned a few in 60 years.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

Ruh ro, Steve is about to git bit hard by da single shot rifle bug I don't have a Ruger #1 but I DO own and use 2 other single shots (soon to be 3) and you may abandon hope!! Have a BALL

I have shelves in my workshop where I stack all my reloading stuff. I found 50 cartridges loaded in 2000 collecting dust. They are 405 grain Rem bulk bullets. I don't think that they make them available anymore as a separate component.

Has anyone ordered from the Bullet Barn? I was looking at some GC 405 grainers.

Steve, I just received my new Huntington's catalogue and Remington does still provide that bullet as a component. Box or bulk.