Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots 450/400 Number 1

Yesterday I was the Post Falls Cabellas and they had what appeared to be a factory 450/400 in their gun library. Just in case anybody is interested.

Interesting, but it seems we're fresh outa tigers just now, so no thanks.

No tigers, but you do have 'Lions and Bison and Bears' oh me, oh my!

They are a nice little rifle and fun to shoot.

Found mine was better with a decent pad on it and a safety fix so it didn't stop ejecting empties.

Cheers, Chris

My local Coast to Coast store has a box of Hornady 450/400.

I love my 450/400 Ruger No. 1
Loading to original specs it's a very capable round, but with some of the modern loads usable in the No. 1 it's a whole other beast.
I am shooting the 300gr Hornady soft points to just under 2600fps.

What's the lightest bullets you can shoot with these things? Drop at 300? Wondering if the 450/400 can be pushed way out there like the 375H&H.

IIRC you can use .41 mag pistol bullets in them. YMMV.

Yes, a 210gr. Hornady XTP over 28gr. of Trail Boss gives you an 1753 fps load that is very accurate and fun to plink with.

I also worked up a moderate load using the .411 300gr. TSX bullet (.405 Win.) that run at 2670 fps.

I also swapped out my recoil pad for a Limbsaver. The safety doesn't bother me as I seem to intuitively tip the gun after firing but I'd sure like to do something about the 5 1/2 lb. CYA trigger - the only thing I don't like about his gun and caliber. Just a lot of fun to play with!!!

Could I talk someone into sending me a 450/400 shell with no primer, no powder and a big solid installed? I'd be happy to pay for shipping. Would like to add one to my collection of big rounds. Here's a couple from what I already have, left to right 500NE, 470NE, 458 Win Mag, 375H&H.

I bought one 3 or 4 yrs ago, really like it. Hornady has info to load it, there are other sources like Grurifrasca out of Italy with info info is scattered, but it is around.. You can load everything from 210gr pistol bullets with Trailboss, to 400gr whatever full power loads for elephant. For myself I bought a 320 and 400gr mould, and use cast bullets in it.
A 320gr cast over 5744 gives me 2050fps same as a 400gr factory round, and is about like shooting my .338wm. And for the speed demons, you could likely take a 400gr bullet to 23-2400, although in the #1, it will let you know who's home. It is capable of a lot more than a 405win or a 45-70, and can be downloaded to a plinker level very easily.