Although I like the 450-400 #1, I prefer my 404 J because the latter is a 1-H Tropical model. It was built at the Ruger factory with a thread-on removable muzzle brake. The combination of appropriate weight for the cartridge and the brake make heavy loads easy to handle. I try to hold the 450-400 to around 2050-2100 fps MV which is right for its lighter weight. Been to 2400 fps, but no joy there for just practice. Should be OK when the targets can stomp you, though over penetration on all DG - save maybe frontal brain shots on large elephant bulls - is highly likely at that velocity with good solids.
I like the 458 WM as well. A good cartridge with great performance with the right loads and in the right DGR.
The 404 Jeffery Ruger No. 1 is a real collectors' item, congrats to Wildcatter264.
I wonder how many of those were made ?
Avi got the date on the 450/400 NE 3" origin wrong.
It actually came out in 1897 as a Farquharson falling block with cartridge at that time being called the ".400 S Jeffery."
The "S" being for either "Smokeless" or "Special."
It was actually the first of the class that would eventually be called "Nitro Express."
John Rigby's "450 S Rigby" first survived proof in Nov. 1897 as a double rifle. Extra points for that.
Eventually it would be called the 450 NE 3-1/4".
They would be the two earliest chamberings of the Nitro Express clan, when that naming convention got established.
The 404 Jeffery came along as a bolt action in 1904-1905.
I used my Ruger No. 1 450/400 NE 3" ...
... to fire-form 404 Jeffery brass for a .410/404 Jeffery Rimless Nitro Express wildcat.
That was one of the silliest wildcats I ever played with.
The 450/400 NE 3" single shot is what actually started the Nitro Express line.
It deserves great respect for that.
Its beefed up brass with thicker rim and head was modified into 404 Jeffery brass by 1904.
The 404 Jeffery rifle became the first truly great bolt-action DGR on sale in 1905.
Two milestones set by W. Jackman Jeffery.
A sportsman could do no better than that until 1956 when the .458 Winchester Magnum raised the bar.
I have a Baker's dozen of Ruger No. 1 rifles, trying to swear off of them.
6.5 Creedmoor 1-B
.375 H&H 1-H Stainless Laminate
400/.395 Nitro Express (wildcat, re-barreled 9.3x74R 1-S)
.395 Tatanka (wildcat, re-barreled .416 Rigby 1-H)
450/400 NE 3" 1-H
405 WCF 1-S
.416 Ruger 1-H Stainless Laminate
.45-70 Elko Magnum Stainless Laminate (CIP .45-2.6" re-chambered .45-70 Gov't. 1-S)
.45-70 Elko Magnum (CIP .45-2.6" re-barreled 9.3x74R 1-S)
450 NE 3-1/4" 1-H Stainless Laminate (re-chambered .458 Lott)
.458 Winchester Magnum 1-H
.475 Linebaugh 1-S
.500 A-Square 1-H (re-barreled .416 Rigby)
I only regret the couple of Ruger No. 1 rifles I traded off in the 1990s.
Wish I still had them, a .338 WM and a .458 WM.
My smallest bore Ruger No. 1:
First 3 shots it fired with factory ammo at 100 yards, from its 28" barrel:
My biggest bore Ruger No. 1, McGowen 10" twist is 27" long without brake, 29" with brake: