This is my Ruger #1 (Formerly 45-70) that has been bored to 450 Nitro Express 3.25"... I have some 350gr. and 550gr. cartridges for it and plan to cast more 550gr. pills to reload for it soon.

Anyone have any experience Hunting, shooting, or reloading something like this they can share?

Thanks!

Sure. I load for that cartridge but mostly jacketed bullets. Hornady brass, 450-480 grain pills with 85-100gr of H-4831 and F-215 primers. If you're going to shoot lead, there is a good recipe using Trail Boss w reduced velocities ~ 1300 or so fps.

I've noticed a lot of 480gr. bullets on the market. I have some 550gr. rounds light loaded with Trail Boss and they are fun to shoot. No game in VA requires such a round so I guess its just a ranges toy.. Might as well load it with something mild.

I have a .45-70 like the one pictured, also a .458 Win Mag

Ruger also made about 250 of them in .450 Nitro, for a limited run. They had C weight barrels (like your .45-70) except 26" instead of 22" long, and they had Circassian walnut (usually plain, though).

In the #1 it's quite versatile, since as Jorge said you can duplicate blackpowder loads, or you can load up past factory .450 Nitro loads, in the strong Ruger action.

There is a huge variety of bullets available in that bore size, and the Ruger can use about any of them, within reason. Nosler and Barnes both have pointed 300 gr bullets, that have potential to shoot fairly flat, it that's of value to you.

That rifle is a compact powerhouse

Thanks, I'm stoked to have it.

Nice looking red pad No.1 Hope you have fun, I like the NE cartridges.

Cheers, Chris

There's one of the .450 Nitro #1's on GB right now. I'm lukewarm on the wood, otherwise I'd probably grab it myself.

Thanks, I'm loving it so far.