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Question about No. 1 458 Liberty Year

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2018 5:33 pm
by JeffD
Hello all,
First post on this board; I joined mainly for the Single Shot forum. I have spotted a .458 Tropical, 1976/Liberty Year, at a dealer. It has the older style checkering on the grip. The rifle is a bit unusual in that the receiver is color case hardened. The dealer has stated that it was one of a small number that was given to people in the industry, and that one like it went to the late Col. Charles Askins. I am aware of a much earlier batch that went to O'Connor, Keith, and maybe a couple of others. Can anyone provide any additional information, or perhaps confirmation that there were some case colored rifles from the liberty year group? The price seems pretty good and I may snag it.
Thanks, and glad to have found this resource.

Re: Question about No. 1 458 Liberty Year

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2018 8:13 am
by Ruger1nut
Jeff this is the third time I have heard this rumor. I have never been able to factually prove it but they have always been liberty era rifles and 458 Win or 375 H&H.
Either way they are great rifles. I would just not pay too much of a premium for it.

I passed on one from a very reputable dealer years ago. The story all sounded right but without the paperwork to back it up I was not willing to pay the asking price and risk it.

Good luck with your decision.

David

Re: Question about No. 1 458 Liberty Year

Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2018 10:06 am
by JeffD
Interesting. As with your experiences, there is no letter of any sort from Ruger to substantiate anything. On the plus side. It’s priced pretty decently, and not any different than one would expect to pay for a big bore liberty rifle.

Re: Question about No. 1 458 Liberty Year

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:17 pm
by Ruger1nut
Jeff with that in mind I would take the chance if you are in the market for one.
Someday we may uncover the "proof" we are looking for

Good Luck
David

Re: Question about No. 1 458 Liberty Year

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2019 11:18 pm
by JeffD
Hi David,
I did go ahead and buy the 458. It included a set of Redding dies and a box of factory ammo, for $1,100. Seemed no more than any of the 458s would run, particularly a pre-warning Liberty year rifle. I'll enjoy having it whether the rumored pedigree is ever confirmed. Here in California we have a 10-day waiting period so I can't bring it home for about another week.
Jeff

Re: Question about No. 1 458 Liberty Year

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2019 10:39 pm
by JeffD
Just a quick follow-up. I picked up the rifle this week and plan to visit the range tomorrow. It came with about a half a box of Remington factory loads. Judging by the box, these are probably from the 70s. 510 gr. soft points.

Re: Question about No. 1 458 Liberty Year

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 9:19 pm
by zebra55
might want to pickup some newer loads.The 458 started getting a bad rap with inconstant igniting from African PHs.. the problem was later corrected, but early on the powders they were using did not like the compressed loads required in the 458. The way I understand it the cartridge's had short shelf life and after time the powder would become almost solid and not entirely ignite..

Re: Question about No. 1 458 Liberty Year

Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:08 pm
by JeffD
Yes, I've read that as well. Today I went to the range and shot six rounds of these old factory rounds. I noticed the recoil varied somewhat from round to round. Definitely not usable for anything serious, but as long as they go bang I'll finish off the box. After this the cases will be useful for some reloading. It was fun shooting the gun. The range has a swinging gone at 110 yds and it wacked that in a very satisfying way. It kicks of course, but my memory of shooting a 416 Rigby and a 416 Rem Mag is that they were worse.