475 Linebaugh Ruger #1

[Ramjet-SS]

Well this is one of most accurate guns and the nicest stalking rifle I own.

The gun is light well balanced. I topped it off with a Trijicon 1-4 30 mm tube with the green post. This makes for quick handling quick on target hunting rig.

This gun can be loaded with heavy hard cast or 400 grain jacketed bullets.

My favorite deer hunting load is a Lasercast Trueshot 355 grain WFNCG over 11.1 grains of Titegroup ignited with a CCI300 primer.

Low recoil and very very accurate.

I have taken many deer with this load and have never had one run out of sight before dropping over. Shot one doe facing me that bullet exited ran the full length of that doe she rolled over backwards and was down.

Yup one of the best Number 1 ever made.

I have two one I had one made over 15 years ago the other is a new Ruger made rifle.

[Lefty SRH]

I'm keeping an eye out for this rifle! When I see 1 I will jump on it. I'm already a fan of the .480 Ruger, just need a rifle to go with the handgun.

[Ramjet-SS]

You will not be disappointed one ragged hole at 75 yards 5 shots.

I have taken deer, elk and bear with mine. I want to take a moose and some hogs with the 475.

[Lefty SRH]

I've been keeping an eye out at my local gun stare for the .475 L No.1, but nothing yet. When I do see it, my credit card will sure HATE ME!

Can you post a pic of your for a teaser please....

[Ramjet-SS]

Yeah I will get one posted tomorrow.

[Haggway]

I have thought about adding one of these to the family.

[Ramjet-SS]

Well here you go the left one is the "original" No. 1 Linebaugh

Front sight is Ashley post with WIlliams peep on the rear the stocks are composite. SHort and real handi in heavy cover. I will dare to say it was the first of its kind as I had it built over 15 years ago. I did some internet articles here is one;

http://www.fiveshot.org/guests/475rifle.htm

[Lefty SRH]

How bad is the recoil on a full tilt .475 L load?

[Ramjet-SS]

Well in the rifle with the composite stocks and deceleration recoil pad it is less than 45-70 full house.

But a 420 grain full tilt is not that bad still less than 45-70 number 1 loads.

That said I like the WFN loads at around 1200-1500 FPS I have taken elk with those range of loads . Recoil is not bad at all.

[Lefty SRH]

Cool, god help me if 1 ever shows up at my local gun store.....

[NLS1]

Wow, you just gave me a great idea! Just picked up an encore, and I have to have a 475 barrel!
Used to have FA revolver in 475, now you got me drooling over an encore in it, heck I even have some brass and ammo left!

Thanks for the inspiration!
Dan

[Alan in GA]

Reviving this topic: found a NIB Ruger #1 in 475 Linebaugh and since 'odd ball rifle/rounds' are what I like, it's now mine, or will be,...on layaway. Now to decide if I want to buy a box of Starline cases or make my own from Winchester 45/70 cases. Guess it depends on what turns up first.
Anyone else find and buy one of these Ruger #1 475LB rifles?

[Bill*B]

Mine prints different bullet weights very far apart, so if yours has the same habit, I'd pick a bullet weight that you like, and stick to it. Loads that work in my gun:

Starline brass, Remington 9 1/2M primer, Accurate Molds 48460R (http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=48-460R-D.png) plain based bullet seated to a COL of 1.965":

Steel 13.5 grains, 1150 fps

IMR 4227 22.0 grains, 1247 fps

They will group into about 1 1/2" at 50 yards, with me behind the gun.

Even with the long barrel, you are going to get pistol velocities - but that's OK with me. It's such a light little rifle that I don't want to push a 450 grain slug any faster.

Have fun!

[Ramjet-SS]

One of the first if not THE first was a Ruger #1 John Linebaugh let us borrow a reemer for. I did a few articles many many years ago about that rifle. The little guy in that picture is now a college wrestler. But I took allot of game with that rifle. THEN Ruger started making them. The original I had was sent to John he even used it for one of his first Big Bore seminars. A great rifle and great caliber. john is an outstanding pioneer in our favorite subject here.

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/bullet_tests.htm

[Bill*B]

Fascinating link! Thanks.

[Alan in GA]

Anyone paper patching a 475LB or Ruger 480?
I used to PP for the 45/70 using easily available Speer 250gr SWC lead pistol bullets.

[Ramjet-SS]

Never had need to do that pouring my own boolit said I make 355 Grain and 420 grain.

[Alan in GA]

Finally picked up my #1S 475LInebaugh and ready to find some ammo! Mine weighs 7.1 lbs without scope/rings.

[tim338]

I would love to have one in that caliber. They are hard to find!

[Alan in GA]

I would love to have one in that caliber. They are hard to find!

I have not seen another one. I glanced at this one for most of this year,...just did not know what it was and as I said, 'assumed' it was about a 3" shell for Africa! D'oh!

[tim338]

I have not seen another one. I glanced at this one for most of this year,...just did not know what it was and as I said, 'assumed' it was about a 3" shell for Africa! D'oh!

Good point maybe I have seen one and didn't know it. I guess from now on I'll check all the #1's I run across just to be sure. 8-)

[Doc Highwall]

Here you go for a link to a 475 Linebaugh, the bottom of the page.

http://www.classicsportingarms.com/rugers-for-sale/

[tim338]

Here you go for a link to a 475 Linebaugh, the bottom of the page.

http://www.classicsportingarms.com/rugers-for-sale/

Tempting but I think I'll hold out for a blued one.

[Doc Highwall]

He says he has a used one as well, but no indication if it is blued or stainless, call him and see what it is.

[Alan in GA]

It is most likely a BLUE/WALNUT. The text is ABOVE the picture IF there is a picture. The stainless rifle shown is linked to the text above it.

[Alan in GA]

Might be silly, but thought about wether or not I want to put jacketed bullets down this new bore or just lead and/or paper patched. I've located a few boxes of Hornady 475 Ammo and will be back in that shop this week. I'm not real find if Hornady brass after some poor experience with their 17HH ammo and substandard cases.
What think?

[Alan in GA]

I would like to know if you guys shooting Ruger #1 in 475 Linebaugh are casting plain base or gas check boolits?

[Bill*B]

I've got molds for both, can't tell any difference. Now, I never drive them over 1200 fps.

[Mica_Hiebert]

I have one that I had to have, was a gun broker gem supposed to be an unfired safe queen but the safe was apparently not nice to it! there was a couple small dings in the wood and a shiny scratch in the receiver bluing ruger rings where missing so I had to source a set I mounted a leupold gloss vxiii 1.5-5x2 and put a custom made leather sling with ammo loops on it... very classy companion to my super redhawk 480... 2 years later still havent shot it.

[Alan in GA]

What is it when we have nice rifles and go so long without shooting them? I think it may be a BIG RED FLAG when we buy a gun, have it for a while, and then sell or trade it off without having shot it! I've done that a couple of times in the last few years! ��
I'm going to make a 'rule to self' to SHOOT a gun if I buy it! HOWEVER, I did just sell a 1968 rifle (Marlin 336RC 35 Rem) that still had the stickers on it that it came with when new (Walnut foil sticker on forearm and inventory sticker on buttplate). I know of 7 rounds that had been supposedly shot through it to check factory open sights. It appeared as new though! I sold it without having fired a round through it because I also bought a twin to it (1979 production) that had a few scratches in the surface varnish and felt more comfortable shooting/using IT than the safe queen 1968.
This 475LB Ruger #1S lies in limbo hiding in my safe. I did buy 10 boxes of Hornady 475LB 400gr ammo for $12.50/box on clearance the other day(Academy Sports). What a FIND for me as the stuff normally goes for $36+\box!!! (Right place-right time!!!)

PS-mine doesn't have a mark on it. As is from the LGS..... Which is why I considered putting it on auction or leaving it in the BACK of the safe for one day when Ruger single shots really become 'unobtainable' (hope not).

[dubber123]

Might be silly, but thought about wether or not I want to put jacketed bullets down this new bore or just lead and/or paper patched. I've located a few boxes of Hornady 475 Ammo and will be back in that shop this week. I'm not real find if Hornady brass after some poor experience with their 17HH ammo and substandard cases.
What think?

I have ONLY Hornady brass for my F/A .475 and after running close to 3,000 mostly full power loadings through only about 200 pieces of brass, I have lost exactly... None. Unless your Ruger has a loose chamber, I bet you will find the same. That factory ammo you bought was very accurate in mine, but not super powerful. 400's at 1,225 from my 4-3/4" barrel.

[Alan in GA]

Tell me about the recoil.... The GunBlast video makes it look pretty mild even though the Ruger is only 7.1 lbs!
I'm hoping for a spec (tight) chamber too. It doesn't look like Ruger made but a short run of these #1S rifles in 475LB, as I don't see ANY for sale on a web search!

[Bill*B]

The little rifle is light, but with the added weight of a scope it won't bother you to shoot it (unlike a revolver in the same caliber, which will get your attention!). Sometimes you can find one at "Classic Sporting Arms" (http://www.classicsportingarms.com/rugers-for-sale/) on the web, but they are a challenge to locate.

[Bill*B]

Just put a Aimpoint red dot on mine. Friends, this sight is worth the cash! VERY FAST target acquisition, and as accurate as irons.

[Jeff Michel]

Resurrecting an old thread....... Lipsey had 21 Ruger No.1 .475's in stock as of yesterday afternoon. Plenty of .460's as well.

[Alan in GA]

Sold the extra nice wood 475 No.1. However I refilled the empty slot with another No.1 in 475 Linebaugh just yesterday. This one is a 20” version with plainish walnut and I will SHOOT it!
I can finally test the cast bullets a couple of you guys gifted me just before I sold the other 475.

[Mica_Hiebert]

2+years later still havent shot mine... life gets in the way :-(

[Alan in GA]

I have had about 20 Ruger No.1 rifles in last three years. Have not shot a one yet. Going to change that very soon, most likely with this 475!

[Bill*B]

I know it is raw fantasy, but I like to think of these as a modern remake of the old .45/70 trapdoor carbine. About the same weight, power and trajectory, but you can mount modern sights and there is no nagging concern about strength.

[Alan in GA]

I know it is raw fantasy, but I like to think of these as a modern remake of the old .45/70 trapdoor carbine. About the same weight, power and trajectory, but you can mount modern sights and there is no nagging concern about strength.

Good fantasy. I still Hunt deer as often as possible, but for 10 years have only bow hunted a few miles from my house in my ‘archery only’ county. Previously I hunted a LOT with firearms as well but travelled one to three hour drives to deer lease clubs with my brother in law. I’ve been blessed to be able to have hunted so much in my 68 years. I hope to do more rifle hunting, especially with a couple of Ruger No.1 rifles I’ve aquired.
What I DO enjoy is pulling a No.1 from the safe and having it handy to admire in my home office. It’s very enjoyable to lean back from the computer and paperwork,... and handle and admire Bill Ruger’s creation.... makes for a pleasant break!

[RonL]

I bought a .475L #1 when they originally came out. I traded out the original rings for a set of low 30mm rings. I put on an Ultradot 30mm red dot sight. I had a custom 420 grain mold made up with a nose length to accommodate a .475 revolver. I am thinking of having another mold made up with a longer nose to take advantage of the longer chamber on these rifles. My goal is to have a 440 grain load at 1650 fps. As I understand it , these rifles have long bore lengths. I have yet to do a bore cast and I'm casting some soft lead bullets to run into the chamber to see the length.
I'm curious to see if anyone has had experience with longer nose bullets.

[andym79]

Have you got 440s running fast?

I am thinking about shooting heavies in mine, getting accurate to make up a mold. A heavy bullet .350" in the case with either tapered groove design or a bit of bore ride. By heavy I am thinking 500-550.

A bullet that weight may perform better with 4198 than 4227.

[Bill*B]

I've shot the Accurate 450 grain (http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=48-450R-D.png) (with my alloy it's 440 grains). With a dental wax wad over 13.5 grains of weighed Alliant Steel shotgun powder, it clocks 1140 fps in my 22" barrel. You might make 1600 fps with H110 or Lil'Gun, but the recoil would kick the tobacco right out of your mouth.

[andym79]

Thanks for that, mine has a 26" mtu barrel so its pretty heavy but you still have a point 1600fps with heavy still wont be comfortable, might still do it with a few liadd just to see how well the weight tames it.

[Bill*B]

Why not? Exploring is always fun. Be safe - and enjoy! Let us know what you find.

[RonL]

I ordered the Accurate 48-435PG. I also ordered the 38-250BG for my .38-55. They are nice looking molds. My initial examination of the chamber on the Ruger #1 indicated a long freebore that would accommodate a long bullet nose. I intended to make a bore casting but my casting material seems to have gone into hiding. I may have to order more. I have to attend to a medical issue that is putting a crimp in all my plans. Hopefully I'll get back to my load development.

[Bill*B]

That bullet looks like a thumper! I hope that your medical problem clears up quickly.