Bolt or a #1

[swashington]

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.

I have both a 375 and a 416 RM in the No1. Recoil is not bad at all. I also had a custom leather maker do some work and make a cartridge carrier that fits on the fore grip facing down range. I can reload in about 3 to 3.5 seconds. I timed myself using my bolt 300wm and was at 2.4 seconds. I carry two on the fore stock and 4 more on the butt stock plus whatever I have on the belt. Reloading fast is not a problem, just takes practice but no more practice than shooting any big bore bolt action fast.
Plus, there is no way to jam a model 1.

Model 1 for me

 

[Flewis]

I wish Ruger would make #1’s in big game calibers, above 375 and up with appropriate 26” barrels and stocks designed for heavy recoil.

I agree, maybe up to 577.

 

[JimP]

I agree, maybe up to 577.

They do special runs quite often. All it takes is a guaranteed order of a specific number of rifles and $$$$$$

Perhaps a AH 577

 

[Nevada Mike]

I have a Ruger No. 1 in 25-'06 with Brux barrel. Jard trigger. custom forend hanger and custom walnut stock. It is a shooter. I am not sure that it is the right platform for a 458 WM, however.

 

[rookhawk]

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

I'm recoil averse. I hate it. I will shoot big guns and shoot them well, but I'm not happy.

The largest single shot I've owned was a very sveldt 300HH and I did not enjoy the recoil at all. Much less enjoyable than any 375HH bolt gun I've owned and its briskness sort of reminded me of my 416 rigby bolt gun that I did not enjoy either. (I actually like a 470's push better)

Longwinded conclusion: A Ruger #1 in 458WM is going to kick the living snot out of you. If that's your kink, you'll love it. For me, the largest calibers I'd want in a single shot would be 9.3x74r or 450-400. My preference is small bores in single shots like 7x57.

You're looking at about 78lbs of felt recoil for a 458WM in a single shot whereas you're looking at about 58lbs of felt recoil for a 458WM in a magazine rifle.

P.S. - The ruger #1 is notoriously difficult to scope for any caliber and it often forces you into medium or even high rings. That in turn means your face is off the stock amplifying recoil. I would not enjoy having an optic that close to my eye with a gun that lightweight putting out those kinds of recoil forces.