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Ruger #1 45-70 Ammo
kidsgun
Member Posts: 148 ✭✭✭
I bought a used Ruger #1 in 45-70 today and wonder about ammo? I'll be using it as a saddle gun in the mountains. I don't intend to use it for hunting except to discourage a mountain lion or bear. Is the 405 grain my best bet? I don't reload. Any seasoned 45-70 shooter's comments welcome. Thanks in advance for your thoughts! Bill
Comments
You won't loose any of the practical benefits of the Ruger and you will gain three more rounds already in the rifle. Not between your fingers or in a butt cuff. If you doubt this advantage try this simple test. Place two rounds on an 8 in. target @ 7yrds. as quickly and accurately as possible from any condition of readiness that you choose with each rifle. I think you will find the lever action makes the task much easier.
The Ruger is stronger than the Marlin as far as the loads it will handle. But i submit that factory loads including Garrett, Cor Bon and Buffalo Bore are safe in either rifle and will handle the job at hand. I would go with the heavier weight strongly constructed bullets. The premium brands cost more but I have not heard of any of them breaking scopes. I would choose the 400 gr. or heavier load over the 300gr. in the regular factory load for the extra bullet weight. Try your selections on the 7yrd. drill. Pick the one with the most power that you can accurately/truthfully control.
I view with a jaundiced eye any load that will break two Leupold scopes in so short a time.
My #1 is set up with a Burris 2x7 for the 300gr. load.
The Guide Gun is set up with a Williams Lever Action Fire Sight Peep Set. The rear step ladder site has been removed and the slot has been replaced with a standard slot blank, also from Williams. Use the largest rear aperture. Look through it not at it! The front sight will center itself on target. That is the way it was designed to be used. You get the combination of speed and accuracy. But any quality peep/ghost ring system will work as well.
The recoil pad leaves much to be desired replace it with a decelerator type pad, your shoulder will love you for it.
You might want to start reloading as it will give you the economical means to do the most important thing.Practice with your intended load or a simular one. Hope that this will help you. Whatever rifle you choose good luck.
flatdog.
" Love is what goes on between a man and a .45 pistol that won't jam."
Good Luck.
Rugster
Bolt actions, followed by double rifles would top the list of safari rifles, with single shots and levers lost in the dust.
I will admit that the #1 is chambered in the Africian safari calibers, but those that hunt in Africa arn't the ones buying them.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
To answer your question, go with a 300 gr factory load. I am assuming you are talking about mostly black bears, this load will shoot through any lion and most bears. The 405's are downloaded for trap door guns.
KC
You can considerably increase the power of the 45-70 in a No. 1 and do it safely by handloading.
My 2 cents. :-)
Just read your post. Don't blame your Ruger I think you need to look elsewere for the problem. Your mild load, you don't say how many grains of 3031 used, should not shake a quality scope loose let alone two in so short a time frame. If the only change made was for p.o.i.
sounds like the cross hairs are the problem. Group size should not alter with a change in p.o.i. The cross hairs may be shifting so slightly from shot to shot due to recoil that you don't notice. But it can impact your group size as well as it's location on target. If this is the case the solution is to contact Leupold.Tell them the problem and have them correct it.
There are other things about scope choice that are important but if your recticle is broken you can't do your work. The main thing, in my opinion, that you absolutely can not do without is repeatability of settings for your adjustments.If you have that the other problems like the one you encountered don't seem to crop up as much.They seem to be engineered out.
These things are at least a place to start,something to think about. Let me know how things go.
flatdog.
" Love is what goes on between a man and a .45 pistol that won't jam."
Reserving my Right to Arm Bears!!!!