Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots Most useful big bore in the #1?

I'm thinking about a big bore #1 - .375 H&H and over. Probably not a .458 or a Rigby, just because every one I have seen had an unwieldy truck axle barrel.

I'm thinking about the .375 H&H, .450-400, .416 Ruger, and .450 Nitro. I've owned a .375 in the past. The game in question would be maybe bison or Nilgai, although I know any of them could be loaded down for other game. Right now I probably leaning toward the .450-400, as it can use .41 mag pistol bullets, but I know the others also have a variety of bullets available. Opinions?

I don't have one but I'm thinking the 45/70.

Most useful and versatile is the .375 H&H IMO. That said, I opted to get the .450/.400 3" NE instead. I have a .338 WM to take care of lower end stuff and thought that the .450/.400 would step things up a notch and still be very shootable.

I am VERY pleased with my choice. The .450/.400 is very pleasant to shot with 400 grainers, can be downloaded for NA game with 300 grain .411 Hornadys, and as the OP pointed out can be used with TrailBoss and .41 cal. 210 grain pistol bullets for cheap, fun, extended plinking and pratice sessions.

I have a 450/400 NE and a 'builder' 450 NE made from a 458WM. From what I understand the 416 up uses the same OD tube. Cant use a truck axle...
The tube on the 450/400 is smaller.

That said the 450 NE is quite pleasant to shoot with the 480/500 grainers as well as 350's.

Have you considered the 475 Turnbull?

I went with the .375, though I was offered a .450/400 at a good price, and found a .458 Win mag with absolutely striking wood... Figured the rifle was going to see most use on elk, bear, and hopefully someday a moose tag and/or a bison hunt.

The .375 proved itself worthy with a one-shot kill on a black bear at a tad over 300 yards! I was impressed. Not sure I could have made that shot with one of the bigger bores. The accuracy of the .375 impressed me from the start, I've fired a number of sub MOA groups from it.

Still, it is hard to resist the bigger bore rifles... No doubt!

Well, had a 450/400 3" NE, but had to sell it before I ever shot it, because of being unemployed. Went on and bought a 375 H&H mag, and took it to Africa, last summer and shot a tuskless ele and cape buff with it.

For here in the states, practicality and ease of components I'd say the 375. However, the cool factor on the 450/400 is awesome. Don't think you could really go wrong with either one.


maddog

It's hard to go wrong with a 375H&H. A classic, truly all-around cartridge.
Another option is the recent run of Ruger #1 45-70's by Lipsey with 26" "C" weight barrels (same as on the 1H 375 H&H). They also have Circassian walnut for a little extra class.
Here's one like new that I'm tempted to buy myself (and I already have one!) http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=133218

Although I don't own one (yet) I'd be hard put to argue
against the .375

Do have a 450-400, I'd love to see some load info for the
300 grain bullets. Haven't found any yet, or had time to
get up the nerve to bail off into it by seat of pants.
Did that with Rel-17 in my 9.3's, have never been so nervous
touching off a reload for the first time as that.

I've been really disappointed in the narrow range of .410
bullets, someone needs to start a .41 mag revival so's
someone will make some jacketed "heavies" for it...

While the .375 H&H is technically a medium bore, They are very accurate, and there are lots of componets available for it.

Hands down, the most user friendly big bore is the .45/70. Heavier loads come unbelievable close to the .458 Win Mag. There are lots of available componets and loading data.

Any of the tradition African offerings (Excluding the .458) have limited componet availability, loading data, etc.

I have owned the .458, .45/70, .416 Rigby, .416 Remington, .416 Taylor, .405 Win, and the .375 H&H.

My favorite is the .405 Win. Why? Just because!

GH

Aww come on Grasshopper, don't be so wishy washy....tell us what you really think!



maddog

I want one of the color cased Turnbulls so bad I can taste it. Too rich for my blood at this time though...

One of the .475 Linebaughs would be cool, were I to find one with yummy wood.

Of course then I'd have to buy a Freedom Arms in the same caliber to go with it...

I was also disappointed that there was not more data available for 300 grain loads but was not concerned about bailing off into the unknown as I had my 400 grain data to work from. Obviously, even if I backed off a bit, I would still be in safe minimum levels. I carefully worked up to my 400 grain levels using my Chrony and watching for pressure signs. Having a 100 grain lighter bullet left a large margin in this department. I continued up until I reached a very accurate load with velocities that I feel would work within the parameters of the Hornady IL's. In my experience IL's can't handle higher velocities if bone is hit.




My TrailBoss loads are pushing the Hornady 210 grain XTP's at 1834 fps which I think would make a great short range deer cartridge. However, I share your concern that this bullet is not strong enough for that velocity. Can you imagine a nice 210 grain TSX in this caliber!

Thanks, that's more than I started with! I used to shoot 200 grain .429 XTP's from a muzzle loader, I'm guessing a bit slower - 85 pyrodex - and they did do a pretty good smackdown on the deer as far as I shot it, 75 yards or less.

Don't they make a TSX for the .405? The .001-.002 oversize is what's
been making me a little cautious about trying different bullets in mine.

Yes, they do and the Barnes technicians said it would be a good choice but did not have load data for it. I felt that by the time I worked up a load that would work within its expansion parameters, I would have too much bullet and should just stay with my 400 grain loads. Plus they are expensive IL's are a really good deal and I got them to hit at essentially the same POI as the Woodleighs which meant lots of inexpensive heavier load practice.

In .450/.400 running .411 in a No.1 is not an issue. The problem is in some of the older double guns and Farquasons, etc. where the bore may actually be as little as .408 coupled with a weaker action and older metallurgy.

Barnes's XPB Pistol bullet is intriguing but at 18o grains and this may be the next one that I play with. I highly recommend TrailBoss powder for these pistol style loads. You can stuff the case safely and get great results. All my Chrony loads are showing less than 14 fps spreads and I think that consistency really helps accuracy.

I have really found this a fun caliber to play around with.

hunted with a .475LB for the first time this year....digging it. also shoot a 1-s 45/70, either way, both are great for me when in timber.

i could love the .405 too if it were a 1-s format.

Actually they go down to at least a .406. This is one I slugged in a 450/400 3 1/4 NE.

I was debating last spring on the same subject, ended up with the 450/400NE.I cast bullets , so , it was not an issue with the lack of bullet selection for the 410 bore. There is a reasonable amount of info around on the 450/400NE, enough to get started at least.
I wound up using a 320gr and a 400gr LBT. It was an interesting learning curve on it. I wound up using them both with AA5744, still have not finished development, but, used the 320gr and 48gr with a F215 this fall. Didn't kill anything with it, but, that was a product of circumstances rather than the gun. Sure killed a bunch of poplar saplings on one shot though, like to have that on film. Come New year's I will get back on it again and finish the cast loads, and then work on some 300 and 350gr Jacketed loads, seeing as I have the bullets to use up.

My #1 450/400 is a lot of fun to shoot with 400 gr. cast bullets and a case full of Trail Boss. Very accurate too. Next project is to go for the factory load velocity of 2150 fps. I don't know whether I can do it without XS leading with my gas-checked cast 400s, but if not the Hornady manual shows this velocity with their tough jacketed bullets (they have unfortunately DC'd their 400 gr round nosed bullet in this diameter though). I think this 450/400 could end up being a neat rifle for anything from deer on up.