broken grips

[B. Dudley]

45-70 is kind of the safest cartridge one can use for a double rifle build due to its low pressures. Nearly any action would likely handle it just fine.

[William Davis]

My opinion, worth what it cost, 405 Winchester is a great cartridge. Most double rifles are foreign and foreign caliber more suitable. Prices of double rifles weak you could probably buy a 400/450 less than converting a Parker.

Best action for the 405 is the 1885 Winchester High Wall. No issues with anything, plenty strong and a factory original caliber. 1895 Winchester too but I never could get to like the action. Less money Ruger # 1 which could be the best for hunting due to the Ejector. Never shot a moose but doubt if a real fast 2nd shot is needed. Good single shot can be reloaded very fast, not as fast as 2nd shot out of a double rifle. In a single shot 405 is not limited to the factory 300 gr bullet. I know several guys using the 405 case (calling it a 40/70) with 400 gr bullets in BPCS. It can be loaded to 400/450 ballistics in a strong action. 400 gr bullet at 2100 fps or so would need a well stocked gun.

At the Fall Vintage Cup I helped run the Double and Single shot rifle event. It's amazing how well some of the experienced shooters handle a single shot. Follow up shot accurate and plenty of time to re load and place the bullet properly. They shoot double rifles pretty good too.

William

[Gary Laudermilch]

At our club we hold a running deer shoot every weekend in November. The target runs at 100 yards and about the speed a real deer might run. Two markers 60 yards apart and the shooter is to fire two shots between the markers. Lots of time for bolt gun users.

I have a Ruger No. 1 in 7x57 and have been working up the moxie to try it on the running deer. I practiced at home with dummy rounds to perfect a technique that might enable me to reload fast enough to get off a second aimed shot. This past fall I finally gave it a try and to the wonder of all in attendance I not only managed to get the two shots off but got them on target. Now that was fun!

[C.O.B.]

I don't pay much attention to the Julia auctions but IIRC there is a Parker double rifle advertised as a prototype or one of a kind. I would think the cost of building one would outweigh the cost of buying a vintage rifle.

Double rifles are definitely fun to shoot and I got caught up in it two years ago at Hausmanns.

[William Davis]

We have a running target rig at our club too. Fellow PGCA and Gun Club member set it up at the Vintage & I was the helper, we ran 30 or 40 relays. One that impressed me most was an older fellow on the Drilling target, added two thrown clays to the course of fire. 7x57 and 16 G.

Three rigs, one crosser left and right, one incoming & outgoing. One turning target stationary, exposed for varying times depending on how it’s set. Shoot them a fair amount, I do best with a Lever Action, in fact nearly everybody shoots it faster and better with a lever gun, but can get off a pretty good 2nd Shot with my O3 Springfield Arsenal Sportier, Lyman 48 Peep, run without the aperture insert. It’s a very smooth bolt action.

Club member goes to Alaska on a Bear Hunts/Fishing trips. Used a 375 H&H Mauser, got so he could hit the charger pretty well. For fishing We set it up again, he cast a fly rod, dropped it drew a 44 Magnum pistol and went after the charger. What I saw I am not counting on a holstered pistol against Bears

I am after a good Single Shot game gun, have 3 all target rifles, not suitable for running targets. Don’t find an original I like will get a Ruger # 1 in 405 first choice 400/450 2nd

William

[Dean Romig]

You certainly can't beat Ruger's version of the Farquharson falling block action for strength.

Mine is in .270 and it's a great single shot carbine.





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[edgarspencer]

I did some consulting work for Bill Ruger (Jr) and he gave me a Number One. I should have given more thought to it when he asked me what caliber I'd like, as I have had lots of .405 guns and have dies, cases and bullets.
But I also had all that in 9.3x74, and that's what the gun he gave me is chambered in. It's a powerhouse and about equal to a 375 H&H FLANGED Mag (not belted). Come to think of it, I don't need a gun in either caliber.

[Harry Collins]

I have 45/70 inserts for 12 gauge. They are about a foot or so long. The shots crossed horribly. I couldn't get 500 grain bullets at very low velocity to come close to convergence. If bullets out of a double rifle cross they are too light or too fast. If the shoot apart they are too heavy or too slow. They are held in with O rings. I though of shaving a side of the O ring and twisting the insert until I was hitting point of aim. Never got around to it.

[William Davis]

Way the Vintagers run the event two single shot classes Stalking and Stopping. Light and heavy calibers with some complicated rule on bullet weight and velocity. 405 makes Stopping class just barely or so I am told. No 1s have been made in several interesting Calibers. Light in 257 Roberts, 6.5 x 55, & 7x57 all good choices. Heavy calibers that interest me are the 405, 9.3 & 400/450. I used to shoot a lot of 45/70 and while a good choice for hunting or targets lately like the 40s better . Switched my BPCR to 40/65, big case you don't need unless using black powder.

Another one to think about if a 1885 Winchester is 30/40. Lot of old time hunters liked it a lot. 220 gr 30 caliber bullet has a very good sectional density and is about as powerful rifle as most game needs.

Really lot of things work, best get what you like.

William

[edgarspencer]

There are three 450-400 cartridges; 2 3/8", 3" and 3 1/4".
I had a Royal grade double in 3.25, and I'm not sure I'd recommend that it a No.1, unless it was loaded way down.