I'm considering a #1 in 458 and have a couple of questions.

Is there a peep sight, tang mounted or otherwise, that you would recommend?

Considering it's a 458 and a Ruger #1, what scope/mount combo would you recommend?
I don't mind looking for a discontinued model of scope, either.

Lastly, would I be excommunicated from a "#1 Lovers" group for putting a muzzle brake on this? The #1s are just so beautiful as is (except maybe for the SS/laminate stock model) that I might prefer putting up with the recoil. I might even get a lead sled for sighting this thing in. I would not want to ruin the value of the gun.

I had a #1 years ago and ,like a dummy, sold it. I found that with an elastic cartridge holder on the stock, I could rechamber and fire about as fast as with a bolt action.

Thanks in advance.
JT

The 458 is a fun thumper but pulling the trigger can wear on you. The NEG peep is great and stout for a lifetime of service. The Ruger scope mount system is good and the 458 does not need a scope stronger than 4x. A fixed power in 2or 3X would be perfect to my thinking if a scope is used. On a 458 I prefer plain express sights and see no need to sight in past fifty yards.JMHO

i had a williams receiver sight on mine and could shoot cloverleaf groups at 100 yards. i put a mercury recoil supressor in the butt, which seemed to help balance the rifle. the other modification was putting on a thicker recoil pad. from the bench the rifle kicked, but i really did not think it was to bad in the field. i had thought about scoping with an extended eye relief scope, but decided i could not improve on the accuracy i was getting with the receiver sight.

the Leupold VX2 1-4x20 is a great scope for that set up or the New England Custom Guns peep. Ive used both on my #1Tropical .375 H&H. Have a Leupold VX1 2-7x33 on it now.

Replace the recoil pad. NO muzzle break! LOL.

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I also have a 2-7x33 Leupold on my #1 in 45-70 and it looks and works well there. Other scopes I'd say that would likely work and look as well would be the low powered straight tube models like the 2.5X Leupold Ultralight (5" of eye relief!) or a 1.25-4x20 30mm Leupold European (or 1-4 VXII or 3). I prefer low turret models on a gun as handsome as the #1.

This one is easy.
For a scope, Leupold VxIII 1.5-5 x or the VxII 1-4. The VXIII 1.75-6x may give you fitting problems in standard rings. Use Warne Ruger QD rings.
Do NOT cheap out on the scope. You not only want but need 3.5 inches of eye relief. Shorter than this and you will be getting your eye stitched up.

For a peep, NECG makes a dandy that fits on the rear scope base. Obviously you cannot use both at once but it is a real dandy sight.

I had to brake my .416 Rigby No.1 after a shoulder problem developed and KDF did an excellent job putting one on. It reduced recoil greatly and they also include a nice TP for when you don't want the brake on there.
Mag-Na-Porting will reduce muzzle jump a lot, my M77 .458 Winny is ported, but it does very little to reduce recoil. It also does not have the muzzle blast that the brakes give.

Get a Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad or Limbsaver. The Ruger pad is really playing loosely with words by calling it recoil pad. IMO it is worthless as boobs on a boar hog.

Don't add weight to the stock. It is already a heavy rifle and either load 400 gr. bullets, which reduce recoil greatly, brake, port, or learn to live with the recoil. IMO if you cannot shoot the rifle without braking, then you really should reconsider the caliber. Once my shoulder healed the brake came off my Rigby. Porting, like I said, really reduces muzzle jump a tremendous amount and will keep your rifle in the rest and on target, but recoil reduction? Not that I can tell.

My recommendations are not based on magazine articles. This is what I run on my rifles. The No. 1 rifles wear Leupold scopes and I know the 1.75-6 x will give you fits. I had to go to extended rings and could not use the Warne QD rings because of the limited ring spacing you will have. Get the 1.5-5x or the 1-4x and you will be much happier.
I have the NECG peep on my .458 M77 and it works great. Very easy to put on and very sturdy. Midway sells them.

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I do all of my big bore shooting from the standing or sitting position to include sighting in. It gives me full confidence in the field