Range Report Ruger #1 458 Lott

[CAustin]

Well folks I finally took the Beast to the range today and my thoughts are many and varied. First, Ruger built a fine rifle. This particular rifle hasn't been made in many years and I managed to get one new in the box. Second, it kicks like a Missouri Mule. Third, we will be adding a recoil reducer shortly!
Fourth, ELEPHANT be ware this thing is accurate with iron sites at 50 yards. Holes marked 1 2 3 4 are using sticks. The unnumbered hole is off hand. Shoots slightly high at 50 yards but I would expect it to do that as the 500 grain Federal Cape Shock Bear Claw levels out at 100 yards. I'm told most elephant shots are about twenty yards so I think we are going to cut neat and bone.
People at the range from as far away as four stalls were walking down to see what was making such a big concussion under the covered shooting bench.

I also took the primary rifle for my elephant hunt out for a test run. The Ruger Guide Gun did very well off the sticks. The 400 grain Hornady DGS was dead on! I have a Lupeold VX-6 mounted and it was still dialed in from the lion and buff hunt last year.

I will return to the range a couple of times before Pieter and I start walking around looking for a nice bull but I'm pleased at this time with the performance of both rifles.

 

[Royal27]

Nice!!!

Figured that thing was going to buck!

Any idea yet as to what reducer you are going to use?

 

[norfolk shooter]

Good grouping Royal and TBH its in the kill zone so the bull should go down

 

[CAustin]

Royal I will try any of the big three, Kickez, Limbsaver or Pachmayer. I stood it ok but would not want to fire a whole box through it at one time. I put 13 round through it today and that was enough!
Norfolk I think we agree the bull should go down with any if those shots pictured.

 

[Royal27]

Just like I'm sure you found with the 416 the more you shoot the easier it will get. And it seems to me that rifles don't kick in Africa anyway.

 

[CAustin]

That's exactly right! Rifles don't kick when you are about to make the kill.

 

[CAustin]

Royal five hours later the stiff shoulder is setting in. Limbsaver here I come.

 

[Panielsen]

Nice group and sweet rifle! I think it also takes a special man to hunt a tusker with a single shot rifle. No wonder you went with a Lott, Lol!!!

 

[CAustin]

Panielson the 458 Lott will actually be my backup rifle. If we get into really thick Jess it could become primary. For now the plan is to use the 416.

 

[Panielsen]

Panielson the 458 Lott will actually be my backup rifle. If we get into really thick Jess it could become primary. For now the plan is to use the 416.

Another good choice! Sounds like your set!

 

[matt85]

you can always adjust or switch out the front sight to change elevation and i believe the #1 can have its rear sight moved for windage. a rifle in 458 Lott should be sighted dead on at 25 yards (especially if you only get one shot!).

as mentioned, it takes some real skill to use a single shot rifle on elephant!

-matt

 

[CAustin]

Matt,
I will try it at 25 the next time I take it to the range. But not before I get a recoil pad put on it.

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Royal five hours later the stiff shoulder is setting in. Limbsaver here I come.

Some Ben Gay and a couple of aspirin, and you'll be good as new!

 

[Velo Dog]

Hi CAustin,

Many years ago I had occasion to look at the part of a Ruger red rubber butt pad ("hard rubber butt plate" if you ask me) which is otherwise concealed against the wood stock when the rifle is fully assembled.
It was embossed with the "Goodyear" name/trade mark.
No wonder those things are as hard as a truck tire !

I'm with you and others who prefer today's gel type recoil pads, they really help.
The "Pachmayr Decellerator" version is the one I am most familiar with (have had it installed on several of my rifles) but probably all of the similarly made brands work well.

Dangerous Game PHs need to use a repeater or a double and as a client, I also would prefer one or the other for DG but, a well thought-out single shot would not totally put me off, again from my client's way of doing things.
I have never hunted anything with a single shot except deer, caribou and vermin but, I would not hesitate to bring one to Africa.
Single shot rifles seem to help me concentrate very thoroughly on that all important first shot.

The Ruger #1 in .375 H&H was my very first .375 and I should not have sold it.
That specific rifle in fact probably started me down this path to financial ruin.
In other words, I've spent a small fortune over the past 30 years on several .375 caliber rifles, sometimes selling them for too low a price to hurry up and buy one I thought better, (usually "better" turned out to be only in some imaginary way).
I would love to have another Ruger single shot but alas, I have discovered that I cannot own every rifle ever built, and still pay my household bills.

CAustin, that was some fine shooting with both decent kicking calibers and I salute you for it.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[CAustin]

Thanks Velo Dog! I put the 458 in the Lead Sled for a few more rounds with similar groupings. I thought it was good just out of the box.
Now that Ruger Guide gun with the VX 6 mounted is just plain deadly. I will use it well on this hunt!

I have a Ruger 1 in 300 Win Mag given to me by my wife. ITs my favorite rifle. It's stainless and a gray laminated stock. Well that rifle had taken all my plains game and the five my son shot. I think your right....when you just have the one shot you concentrate a lot better.

 

[Royal27]

I tell you what, after watching @tarbe shoot his No 1 I've told him if he wants to use one for buffalo he should. No question.

I'm going to have to buyour a no 1 someday, but still need a couple of other rifles first.

 

[matt85]

I tell you what, after watching @tarbe shoot his No 1 I've told him if he wants to use one for buffalo he should. No question.

not sure id want a single shot rifle for buffalo, everything ive read says they tend to require more then one shot to bring down quickly. too many stories of heart shot buffalo still running a fairly long distance.

-matt

 

[BRICKBURN]

That be a big mule.

The guys at the range wanted to know who was hurting their ears.

Good luck with your taming plans for the beast.

 

[Velo Dog]

My very best good friend, Jeff Loffert has a decent collection of Ruger single shots, in various calibers.
He uses a leather butt cuff of his own making that holds six cartridges on the buttstock and he practices mightily with same.
He can run his 9.3x74R nearly as fast as I can run my Brno 602 in .375 H&H, in terms of accurate follow-up shots.

 

[Royal27]

not sure id want a single shot rifle for buffalo, everything ive read says they tend to require more then one shot to bring down quickly. too many stories of heart shot buffalo still running a fairly long distance.

-matt

Without back-up, I would agree. But if the PH is comfortable with it (and I know many would be, some may not) I see no issue. Now is it for me? Nope. But I see nothing wrong with it. Maybe the PH is a little quicker to put a shot in knowing the client won't have a quick second shot? I guess that would depend on both the PH and what he thought of the first shot.