Bolt or a #1

[rwp315]

Would like to get a .458 Win.
Have shot a #1 in 30.06 and liked the size etc. Would you do one in a #1 or stick with a bolt gun?

Thanks,
RWP

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

A No1 will bring an extra dose of pleasure.

 

[Mark R]

A bolt. My reasoning is if you’re hunting something with a 458 you are probably wanting to fire another shot quickly.

 

[flatwater bill]

I'm with Kevin on this one...........go with the No. 1. If you're hunting something dangerous, make your first shot count. If you need another, you will likely have a couple of PH's with you anyway. As a side note, I have shot a lot of black powder in my number ones....even the 22' bbl of the 45-70 has taken a lot of African plains game for me with 63 grains of 2F and a 405 grain hard cast. The 458 has the 24" bbl and holds close to 100 grains (if you use a drop tube,) I have taken deer and elk with it and a 440 grain hard cast. Recoil with black is mild, but with heavy smokeless loads both calibers are fierce kickers in the relatively light No. 1 (My rifles had the old red Ruger pad on them which is as hard as a drill bit).........Best of luck with your choice.........FWB

 

[mark-hunter]

A No1 will bring an extra dose of pleasure.

Until a moment of need of urgent reload, with running away or charging buffalo!

But, I admit many hunters choose No1. There is appeal to it.
So, the choice of rifle type is either sentimental (no. 1), or realistic (bolt or dr). Personal choice.

 

[V.Veritas]

I'll through my 2 cents in.
1. Dr Kevin Robertson mentioned in a book or interview that the quickest PH shooting qualification match for Zimbabwe PH licence was shoot with a 375 H&H Ruger no.1 by a well exercised student. The bullets were installed in elastic loops sawed to his shoulder - the bullets pointing rewards if memeory serves me correctly.
2. Roger No.1 kicks significantly more than a bolt gun due to weight and stock design.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I highly recommend a bolt action. You never know when those extra rounds in the magazine can save your life. I’ve had some pretty unpleasant experiences while hunting dangerous game with single barreled firearms over the years (I documented two such incidents in my autobiography).

Having a single shot rifle chambered in a high pressure rimless case like the .458 Winchester Magnum to hunt in the heat of Africa… is extremely unwise in my humble experience.

 

[Luvthunt]

Bolt

 

[Papa72]

A bolt. My reasoning is if you’re hunting something with a 458 you are probably wanting to fire another shot quickly.

+1

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I think Ruger No 1s are a very pleasant rifle to shoot, up to about a 30-06 or so. Going up in power and recoil from there, not so much. I personally have no desire to own a No 1 any bigger than the 7x57 and 270 that I have.

If you want a 458 WM, go with a bolt action rifle that has some weight to it.

 

[fourfive8]

Where did you get the idea of wanting a #1 in 458 mag? Maybe ok at 45-70 level but most regret getting them and shooting at full power 458. Do what you want though

 

[skydiver386]

A No1 will bring an extra dose of pleasure.

I've owned several No1's. The last was in .416 Rem mag that was quite heavy at around 12 pounds. A rancher in Yuma, Az had it re-barreled by a local gunsmith and the barrel left at full dia. from the receiver forward. Recoil was fairly mild at that weight.

What I don't understand about Ruger #1 owners is the desire to create a silk purse from a sows ear with these rifles. They can be very accurate with a good barrel installed, the forend harmonics tuned and the trigger smoothed just a tad. The receiver sides are flat, and create the perfect spot on a rifle for engraved game scenes. To me, the Ruger #1 can be one of the most elegant firearms in the World when stocked with quality walnut, a little engraving and in a modest caliber.

For anything that may come to a fight, I'd go with the bolt gun.

 

[odonata]

I usually solve dilemmas like this by buying both so I'm probably not the best person to get advice from. I love my four Ruger No. 1's and some of the people I know who shoot the 458 Win Mag are very fond of theirs. But when trying to decide what I wanted for the largest rifle in my safe, I chose a bolt action for my 458 Win Mag. Until I actually had some DG experience, it seemed prudent to have those extra bullets in the magazine of a CRF rifle. I already had a pair of Winchester 1885's falling-blocks in 375 H&H and 405 Win so adding a larger bolt action to my collection felt like a good choice for my situation. To be as unhelpful as possible, let me just say I would be happy owning either.

 

[Papa72]

Varminthunter23 has a very nice .458WM #1 in the classifieds at a very reasonable price. Just sayin’……

 

[AZDAVE]

#1's have a great deal of appeal. With the #1 stock setup it is sporty in the recoil department!!! I would recommend one off sticks for 4-6 shoots to see what you are getting into. With practice you can load and shoot a #1 as fast as a bolt gun for 2 shots very easily. Just remember shot placement is everything. In most cases folks are better off choosing a bolt gun.

 

[Bandera]

I have had a bunch of No.1 rifles over the years. Currently have a 7mm Mag, 450-400 and a 458 Win Mag.
The 458 weighs about 9.6 pounds without a scope. With scope and rings you could push close to 11 pounds.
I chose a Ruger No.1 S 7X57 to go to Africa my first trip. As with some No.1 rifles in lighter calibers it would not group well. Even cold bore first shots were erratic. So I took a 308 bolt gun. I wish I would have taken the 7 Mag.

For the larger calibers you will need to bevel the safety selector to allow the cartridge to fully eject.
For some reason people want to grab the lever with their theme am operate it.
After the shot use the middle, ring and pinky finger to open the action by extending the fingers.
Reloads are done with your strong hand. Why? You will have most dexterity with your strong hand. Less likely to fumble. You have already opened the action with that hand.

I would take a No.1 to Africa.

 

[Papa72]

“I usually solve dilemmas like this by buying both so I'm probably not the best person to get advice from.”

We must be kin?

 

[Nosler guy]

no brainer - BOLT

 

[WAB]

I am a huge fan on Number one’s in lighter calibers. Mine are twenty two hornet and two seventy five Rigby. I personally think the barrels are too light and the stock poorly designed for heavy calibers. There was a small run with an appropriately heavy barrel in four fifty four hundred. They are very difficult to find.

Unless you want to replace the barrel and stock, go with a bolt gun.

 

[Red Leg]

I am a huge fan on Number one’s in lighter calibers. Mine are twenty two hornet and two seventy five Rigby. I personally think the barrels are too light and the stock poorly designed for heavy calibers. There was a small run with an appropriately heavy barrel in four fifty four hundred. They are very difficult to find.

Unless you want to replace the barrel and stock, go with a bolt gun.

I agree. My No 1's are a .270, 7x65R (built by Heym), and a 300 H&H. This is purely personal, but the latter is about the top end from a power perspective before these elegant rifles start looking and feeling like something created by a pipe fitter rather than a gunmaker.