Ruger #1 50-90.............

[Michael458]

50-90 was introduced in 1872 at the peak of the bison hunting, or massacre I should say....... it is .510 caliber and 2.5 inch case and became known as the "Big Fifty" in those days.

I love big bore guns. It is extremely difficult for me to get any interest at all in bore size less than 458 caliber. I have to work at it. There are some small bore we like, mostly because of the
platform and the intended use of, such as 223 and a few various .308 caliber cartridges, these have utility and a purpose. I have some 338s and 358s that are great medium caliber cartridges, but it is only after you cross that .45 caliber threshold that I truly get very interested in........Recently I discovered 450 Bushmaster, and adding bullet tech to this cartridge has really enhanced it to another
level. Another friend of mine in TX decided to sell his Rossi Puma 454, this being a `16 inch gun, I did not hesitate to get it on the way, should have it in hand in a week or two............

A friend of mine decided to sell some of his rifles, a 458 B&M, 50 B&M, and this 50-90 Ruger #1. The big rimmed 2.5 inch .510 caliber cartridge caught my attention, and I love single shots as well, both Ruger #1s and Winchester 1885s......... I could not pass the 50-90 up.

50-90 was designed in the day of big lead bullets and velocities of 1500-1700 fps or so, 600 gr Lead bullets was the bullet tech of the time.............. From days gone by, I have several hundred big 500-535 gr Cast Performance bullets on the shelf, I might play with those some and have some easy light shooting at or around 1500 fps or so.............. But, my goal is to up the game in this rifle with Bullet Tech. We have 510 gr CEB Solids and its matching 475 gr Raptors, these would be very effective at 2200 fps or so, but of course there is no data on such, so I will have to make my own data. But have a good start with some ideas I will bring over from the 500 B&M, another 2.5 inch case, but RUM and .500 caliber designed for Winchester M70s........... Should not be much of an issue if I can get time to spend on the range with it..........

I am sure it is hard for most of you to relate these cartridges, most have never seen a 50 B&M Alaskan or 500 B&M, so this morning I took some quick photos that maybe you can relate to a little more........

And here is the gun, it sports a 24 inch barrel, which is a little long for my taste...... I think I also need to do something with the sight system as well...........but the blue job on this gun was done by Brian at SSK Industries, and it is incredible...........

 

[cubrock]

Is that a factory barrel or a custom? If the latter, someone nailed the Ruger look to it.

The 24” barrel is none too short for black powder loads, but I assume your smokeless loads won’t need that much length?

 

[cold1]

Is the case design of the 50-90 similar to the 45-70 in that it can withstand the higher pressures?

 

[Michael458]

Is that a factory barrel or a custom? If the latter, someone nailed the Ruger look to it.

My buddy Ken told me that the gun was a 416 Remington, he said he had it "rebored" to .510 caliber and 1:15 twist rate...... So, with that, I assume it is the Ruger barrel that was .416.
I have zero experience with "rebore"......... I have always had new barrels installed....... now you know what I know, which for that is not a lot.

The 24” barrel is none too short for black powder loads, but I assume your smokeless loads won’t need that much length?

Yes, correct, I won't have any need or use for black powder, and not much for even cast bullets. We can very easy achieve my goals with a shorter barrel, say 20 inches, and using bullet tech and modern powders. My goals here are not lofty and trying to get Max everything. I believe in the Ruger #1 it will be rather simple to achieve what I am after, around 2200 fps or so with the bullets I want to use. Now I will also makes some light plinking loads with those left over Cast Performance bullets, but the main issue there is they probably won't have the same POI as the Raptors and CEB Solids.......... And I do not intend to shorten the barrel, as it would be just more effort than reward for my purposes with the gun.

Is the case design of the 50-90 similar to the 45-70 in that it can withstand the higher pressures?

I believe so in a strong action like the #1. I suspect my goals of 510 CEB Solids and 475 Raptors at 2200 + will only be 50000 PSI or so, and would be well under what the capabilities are in a #1. I have 140 pieces of new Starline brass to work with, but will not use anywhere near that. Borrowing some ideas from my 500 B&M which is a 2.5 inch RUM case and .500 caliber, I intend to play with IMR 8208 to see where I can go with it. I won't be looking to do complete data, just to get to the point I want with it. Probably use IMR 4198 for the lighter loads with Cast Performance bullets........

The sights on the gun are just not suitable either. I am hoping for a red fiber optic, and some sort of Ghost ring rear........ this I am going to have to study a bit, I probably have some white bead fronts, and even that would be a huge improvement..... something we just have to investigate as time allows......

Should be a really fun gun to play with, and in the process be effective in the extreme..........I have seen 475 Raptors used on buffalo at 2150 fps in 500 Nitro, and buffalo just stand, quiver, and fall over....... and of course lots of elephant have been taken with the 510 Solids with extreme penetration.......

 

[MacEntyre]

That sounds like lots of fun, Michael.

My father used to have a Rossi 92 trapper in 480 Ruger. I reloaded that cartridge for him, and helped him empty them on 100 yard targets. That was a wonderful little thang, and wicked accurate for such a big bang! It's why I want another trapper, probably 45 Colt.

 

[Michael458]

@MacEntyre , yes I am looking forward to getting that little 16 inch, stainless, Rossi Puma in 454. I honestly never paid much attention to them, being a Winchester sort of chap. But a friend of mine in Alaska bought a 20 inch gun recently and has been putting some heavy loads through it, zero issues....... In those sort of guns (M92, 1886, and M71s) with the two locking lugs in the rear, I always stopped at 50000 PSI or so, well 454 is 60000 PSI +......... and the Rossi seems to be handling more than 50000 without issues...... It is a M92. When my pal in TX decided to sell his, why not, give it a go..... I already have some heavy 45 Colt loads for it anyway.......I love my Win 94 in 45 Colt, at 16 inches, this is just more of the same but a little different.. HEH.........When I get it, I will start another thread on it alone.....

This 50-90 is a nice looking cartridge..... like a short 500 Nitro...........

It is throated to handle the big 50 BMG Bullets as well, but that does not float my boat.........

 

[cubrock]

My buddy Ken told me that the gun was a 416 Remington, he said he had it "rebored" to .510 caliber and 1:15 twist rate...... So, with that, I assume it is the Ruger barrel that was .416.
I have zero experience with "rebore"......... I have always had new barrels installed....... now you know what I know, which for that is not a lot.


Yes, correct, I won't have any need or use for black powder, and not much for even cast bullets. We can very easy achieve my goals with a shorter barrel, say 20 inches, and using bullet tech and modern powders. My goals here are not lofty and trying to get Max everything. I believe in the Ruger #1 it will be rather simple to achieve what I am after, around 2200 fps or so with the bullets I want to use. Now I will also makes some light plinking loads with those left over Cast Performance bullets, but the main issue there is they probably won't have the same POI as the Raptors and CEB Solids.......... And I do not intend to shorten the barrel, as it would be just more effort than reward for my purposes with the gun.


I believe so in a strong action like the #1. I suspect my goals of 510 CEB Solids and 475 Raptors at 2200 + will only be 50000 PSI or so, and would be well under what the capabilities are in a #1. I have 140 pieces of new Starline brass to work with, but will not use anywhere near that. Borrowing some ideas from my 500 B&M which is a 2.5 inch RUM case and .500 caliber, I intend to play with IMR 8208 to see where I can go with it. I won't be looking to do complete data, just to get to the point I want with it. Probably use IMR 4198 for the lighter loads with Cast Performance bullets........

The sights on the gun are just not suitable either. I am hoping for a red fiber optic, and some sort of Ghost ring rear........ this I am going to have to study a bit, I probably have some white bead fronts, and even that would be a huge improvement..... something we just have to investigate as time allows......

Should be a really fun gun to play with, and in the process be effective in the extreme..........I have seen 475 Raptors used on buffalo at 2150 fps in 500 Nitro, and buffalo just stand, quiver, and fall over....... and of course lots of elephant have been taken with the 510 Solids with extreme penetration.......

I hadn’t thought of it being a rebored .416. Makes sense.

Very interesting project. Thank you for taking us along for the ride.

 

[Michael458]

Finally got to the range today for some load data............

Was not happy with the way IMR 8208 behaved, and I had high hopes for it......... H-322 did very good, still need to tighten up ES on the 510 Solids, but the 475 Talon Tipped Raptors were extreme.......... Very pleased with that load. I think going to 83/H-322 for the 510 Solid will tighten that ES up.

Also found I had a White Bead front sight to replace that tiny little brass bead which I could not even see..........

 

[Michael458]

OK Some New updates on the 50-90…… and I am pretty much finished with most of my Primary Goals…….

As I suspected going to 83/H-322 with the 510 #13 would pull that ES Down, it almost disappeared….. I wanted to retest the 475 Raptors in NEW Brass as opposed to Fired, they came out basically the same, which is great…………

This gun Knocks the crap out of you, Ruger #1s just kick like mules, and this thing almost don’t have a recoil pad and its nearly as hard as the wood. Also knocks my right thumb up on the safety where it cuts a piece of meat out, little duct tape on the thumb gives me some extra skin in that spot…………

I quickly tried a 535 Cast Performance and it does not hurt too much at all, rather easy on you compared to the others….. Nice and easy 1500 fps…….. But 4 inches high at 25 yards………

Pretty spiffy, and sure enough plenty of power ……

 

[THE PUNISHER]

That sounds like lots of fun, Michael.

My father used to have a Rossi 92 trapper in 480 Ruger. I reloaded that cartridge for him, and helped him empty them on 100 yard targets. That was a wonderful little thang, and wicked accurate for such a big bang! It's why I want another trapper, probably 45 Colt.

What I would give for a Rossi 92 in 480 Ruger, or a Ruger #1 in 475 Linebaugh/480 ruger!!

 

[Mr.Gadget]

I have a 416 that looks the same. Maybe I should give that a try.
What was the cost on the barrel boring?

 

[NCFubar]

Thumpers with a rimmed black powder pedigree have a special intrigue for me … like beautiful old doubles. They have regal look and feel today’s everyday “stuff” just doesn’t have … kinda like a ‘70 C-10 beats the hell out of the new stuff on the road when it comes to style. A range day with the No. 1 or such rifles for a limited (if not just for the umph factor) number of rounds beats the hell out of boring blasting with todays stuff.

 

[Michael458]

I have a 416 that looks the same. Maybe I should give that a try.
What was the cost on the barrel boring?

Oh I have no idea, my buddy Ken had that done........ and I don't know how long ago either...... I know he sent it to SSK and Brian did the blue job on it......... I have never rebored a gun. Sorry not much help on that........

What I would give for a Rossi 92 in 480 Ruger, or a Ruger #1 in 475 Linebaugh/480 ruger!!

I have a Rossi Puma 16 inch gun on the way in 454........ and I have a lot of #1s in big bores..............Not much on .474 or .475 calibers, have 475 B&M and 475 B&M Super Shorts on bolt guns.........

 

[THE PUNISHER]

Best thing about big bores, you can go from mild to wild and have fun doing both.

I’m talking pistols by the way…. Biggest rifle I have is 7.62 caliber and down. Not much “large”needed for anything around here…