Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Custom Ruger #1 .45/70 project?

[GHarman]

First of all, I love . 45/70's. A short range artillery piece, they certainly are. Rainbow trajectory and all! With semi spitzer bullets the trajectory is flatter by a little bit.

Confessing a thing for Single Shot Rifles, to boot:{!

In my possession is a Ruger #1 Receiver that is begging for a barrel. Not that I have $1200+ to drop on a new factory rifle. I would rather do one my-own-self:-laf! Easier to lift, too Not like transmissions and t-cases, et al!

My love affair with . 45/70's included a #1 in the original medium sporter configuration with the . 22" barrel and have to say the recoil is similar to taking a baseball bat to a granite boulder. Hitting it with all your might.

The thought is a 26" bull barrel similar to a #1 . 458 African(they are 24" long). That way I can use the Ruger 1/4 rib bridge mount for a scope/ rear sight. A cut rifled tube with 8 lands/grooves, 1-18" twist, for everything from cast lead to solid copper bullets. The stock blank will have a larger recoil pad footprint than the Ruger factory stock. I have a nice matched set of French Walnut semi-inlets, stock and forend blanks.

My thinking is a modified Brockman front sight(marlin aftermarket configuration) with a

folding Smith enterprises rear ladder sight for irons. This would fit under the scope in the folded position. A high ring set with a 1" tube scope. The scope choice is dependent on getting everything else together. Definitely one with a graduated hold over reticle.

This is a long term project. Hopefully one that My Son will enjoy as much as I will!

Just thinking on the keyboard. Input welcome! Love to talk rifles almost as much as Shooting them! GregH



Front sight;

MARLIN 1895 GEN. III FRONT SIGHT - Brownells

Rear Sight;

M-95 LONG RANGE SIGHT - Brownells

 

[NIsaacs]

Ya mean ya want a punkin roller?:-laf Thats what we used to call them and you can almost watch the slug travel. I had one in a Navy Arms rolling block with a 20" bull barrel. It felt like it weighed a ton yet kicked the crap out of me. You really need a small tree to hug with the rifle butt snug against it



I also always figured the thin wall, tapered casing would be hard to reload. I had all the stuff to reload but sold it before I did any. Traded it for a new 4" 586 Smith... . good trade!



I also had a Browning single shot in 25-06 with a small tapered octagon barrel that kicked bad. I sold it so I could buy house insurance... 'nuther good trade.



Nick

 

[GHarman]

NIsaacs, Not really a pumpkin roller. Unless you call 400 Gr bullets at 2100+ FPS, Or a Barnes 300 Gr. copper bullet at 2500 FPS:-laf, Rolling pumpkins:-laf

Then there are cast lead bullets from 250-550gr. . Lots of shooting at low velocity, low recoil using wheel weights or scrap plumbers lead, "Pumpkin" classification.

Never had an issue loading those straight walled cases, for single shots or lever action rifles.

Presently, I have a Browning 1885 BPCR, and it is very heavy and LONG. It does not lend itself to much more than a range queen with tempermental and delicate tang sights!

I want something shorter, a little lighter, but not much, to slow down the recoil impulse of full powered hunting loads. Capable of using a modern scope to full effect and back up iron sights in case of damage to the scope.

GregH

 

[NIsaacs]

If you get one or have one, I think I still have some leftover reloading stuff. I am pretty sure I have a Lyman 2 round 500 gr. cast bullet mold that you are welcome to have for free or anything else for that matter in 45/70. I don't reload anymore and none of my three boys show any interest. I will look and see what I still have.



Nick

 

[GHarman]

!!! Thanks Nick! I have about 1/4 ton of scrap lead and 2 lead melting pots! GregH

 

[NIsaacs]

Ok, I have some stuff to do but I will look and see what I have, then send you a PM.



Nick

 

[GHarman]

Nick, Thanks AGAIN! No Rush! GregH

 

[HHhuntitall]

Pumpkin roller... ... hmmmm. Those bullets could classify as pumpkins, considering the size!!! They roll pretty good after hitting the ground!!



Greg, you're killing me!! Augh!! :-laf Why don't you just chamber it in . 458 Lott and write out your will!!! :-laf



A Ruger No. 1. Nice. 45-70, not so nice. Well, the good news is if you shoot a bear, and wound it, when it mauls you, it'll take you mind off the pain of your shoulder!!



Ok, so build it already!! We want pictures and step by step procedures!!



What reamer you planning on using?

 

[GHarman]

Man! Hit the ground runnin':-laf!

Probably a JGS reamer. Have to decide on a barrel first. Havent found what I want, as yet. Remember! "A LONG TERM PROJECT"!

Do ya want me to put YOU in my WILL? :-laf. A . 458 LOTT would be a REAL CANNERN!

GregH

 

[HHhuntitall]

NOOOO!!! I've inherited enough headaches! HA!!! :-laf And I get punchdrunk from too much recoil, so lets not start another habit!