.450 Nitro No.1

[Ardent]

Recently acquired one of these still in transit (thanks David) as part of a swap, who’s been shooting one if any here? Anyone handloading?

Big case, strong rifle, wondering what it can do and how it’s shooting. I’ll probably try and speed it up with 350s for a start. Expect this to be a quiet thread, not a common gun or chambering.

 

[hoytcanon]

I'll just drop in to say "hello."

 

[Brutus]

Did you purchase that cape gun off Collector Firearms?
450 nitro and 16 gauge?

 

[pmatuk]

have something a bit similar 500/450 3 1/4" NE on a Ruger # 1 made by Bevan King about 1989 .Impressive cartridge to look at
added a pic

 

[Ardent]

Nice pmatuk that’s a build that took imagination, hello back Greg Brutus it’s one of the Ruger No.1s nothing too exciting or historic. But it’s strong, and a huge case... makes a guy wonder where the limits are.

 

[9.3mauser]

Never heard of a .450 #1 Nitro, did you mean .450 #2?

 

[Ardent]

Poorly titled 9.3 my bad, it’s just a Ruger No.1, curious what the .450 can do in a modern rifle.

 

[Brutus]

Nice pmatuk that’s a build that took imagination, hello back Greg Brutus it’s one of the Ruger No.1s nothing too exciting or historic. But it’s strong, and a huge case... makes a guy wonder where the limits are.

No it's still an interesting cartridge henceforth interesting rifle by extension.
From the meager information I have read this British cartridge was designed for dangerous game in tropical heat. So it's got a large case and rim to facitate positive extraction in veld or jungle in a hinge action or single shot rifle such as yours. Kind of like 458 Win Mag with a rim. Roughly.....
Sounds neat Ardent.

 

[Ardent]

Case capacity is supposedly 130grs, which bests the .458 Lott by 20grs. If I can get .458 Lott velocities with lower pressure albeit with more powder, that’s interesting.

 

[brybenn]

Loaded hot itll easily pass a 458wm and should match the lott. The big case is a product of the black powder era. It was loaded with cordite that sucked in africa because of over pressure in the heat. I believe they thickened the case to solve the problems. Modern powders and a strong action should really create punch on both ends

 

[pmatuk]

should be able to exceed the 458 Lott easily enough with the 450 case with the available powders

 

[Crazy_Farmer]

One day!!

Such a rich history, the pre-ban nitro cartridge of choice.

Something about the straight 3 1/4” brass has always appealed to me the most. It wasn’t until I held the .577 in hand I realized if it wasn’t for the recoil it would be my favorite Nitro Express

 

[Frikkie007]

Hi Ardent

I have been shooting the 450 NE for the last 7 years.

I owned 2 - A Verney Carron double and a Ruger No1 Craig Boddington “The Elephant “ special edition

Recently traded the Ruger as a partial trade for a original WJ Jeffery Take down in 404 Jeffery.

The Ruger can definitely be pushed to Lott velocities.....the caveat to that statement is the recoil.

I shoot mainly large calibre rifles....preferring my calibre's to start with a .4 or .5.

The Ruger is a very handy and light rifle, perfect for carrying it all day.... but man o man did she rattle my teeth

Cheers

 

[buckbrush]

big bore Ruger #1's really kick the snot out of me. I had a .510 wells on one, it was fun with 650 grain cast BMG NOE boolits. I have a .450 #2 reamer on order and have already made the headspace gauges.

 

[mbatten]

I have an Alexander Henry .450 3 1/4" BPE double rifle; great fun to shoot with black powder only, of course. Your Ruger will be the nitro version which is significantly more powerful. I was able to locate Hornady dies at Prophet River guns and brass from Canada Brass - expensive but enjoyable to shoot and worth the time and effort!

I recommend Double Gun Forum and Nitro Express Forums as a place to learn more about this fine cartridge.

Cheers!

Mbatten
BC

 

[Ardent]

Will be fun, I’ll report back and see if I can stomach the recoil as I don’t want to run it slow / 2150fps.

 

[BigUglyMan]

I've got a #1H in 458 Win but all things being equal I'd rather the 450 NE. Nice score.

 

[MiG25]

I've got a #1H in 458 Win but all things being equal I'd rather the 450 NE. Nice score.

Years ago Trail Firearms in Edmonton had one of those for $400, wish I'd bought it.

 

[ForealBoreal]

..........

 

[Ardent]

Appreciate it, I’d like to see what the 300 and 350gr TSXs can do, particular over H4895 as I buy the jugs and have lots. And the 500gr DGX would be interesting.

More than these though mind if I shoot you some wildcat numbers by PM for one cartridge?