I was wondering if I could shoot a 410 out of my Ruger #1 in 45-70 for up close grouse during the deer season. I know there was a contender barrel that shot both, but don't know any details about it. I know it will spread fast with the rifling in the barrel, but I just want it for up close if I happen to get the opportunity for a good dinner ;) .

If yes, what length of shell?

Thanks,

5Shot

Can't speak to the adviseability, but my grandfather had a trapdoor springfield that he took many a skunk with, according to legend. I don't know that I'd do it to in this day and age, however!

Respectfully, Gordon

The cartridge cases are of significantly different dimensions. The .410 is much smaller than the .45-70. I suspect you would run the risk of .410 case failure, with possible damage to the rifle or you.
Why not a round ball load for the .45-70? Safer, they can be accurate, and would work well on grouse or rabbits.

Nope, the .410 casehead is far to small to headspace properly, it will fall thru the chamber.
You CAN load shot in .45/70 cases, though. It won't make your rifle into a shotgun, but it will work at close range.
The Contender barrel was .410/.45 Colt, not .410/.45/70.

A .45-70 shot load could certainly be cobbled up, but it's effectiveness would be doubtful. Shot loads and rifled barrels generally don't go too well together. The rifling imparts a spin that usually results in a very poor pattern beyond a few feet, taking on a "doughnut" form that leaves a big hole in the middle getting rapidly bigger as the range increases. If I recall, the Contender barrel actually had a "choke" designed to counteract the spin.

But, who knows? You might get lucky, and if I had a mind to try it out it would certainly be a fun project to play with.

Nope, the .410 casehead is far to small to headspace properly, it will fall thru the chamber.
You CAN load shot in .45/70 cases, though. It won't make your rifle into a shotgun, but it will work at close range.
The Contender barrel was .410/.45 Colt, not .410/.45/70.

Well then - I guess I was messed up - could have swore it was 410/45-70.

I thought about trying a load with gas checks and some shot, but the round ball idea might be better.

I have a 1-4X Leupold on it, which might make hitting a close target a little rough, but on 1X you can see the whole world through that scope.

Thanks for the replies.

5Shot

Well then - I guess I was messed up - could have swore it was 410/45-70.

I thought about trying a load with gas checks and some shot, but the round ball idea might be better.

I have a 1-4X Leupold on it, which might make hitting a close target a little rough, but on 1X you can see the whole world through that scope.

Thanks for the replies.

5Shot
You might have been thinking of the work Marshall Stanton did with the .410 in the .444.

Snow.