Ruger #3 to .50-70

[Swampman]

I know there are several companies that can EDM a barrel to a larger bore and rechamber it. Could a Ruger #3 in say .45-70 be bumped up to .50-70?

 

[Boge]

Owning three 50-70's I can assure you that it is a wonderful cartridge......for REAL blackpowder. Forget about smokeless. I will assume that this will kill the dream. :wink:

 

[captainkirk]

I know there are several companies that can EDM a barrel to a larger bore and rechamber it. Could a Ruger #3 in say .45-70 be bumped up to .50-70?

Following some recent threads about bumping up a #1 to .50 led me to believe there would not be enough metal in a #3 to do that. The #3 barrel in 45-70 is pretty light to start with.


captainkirk

 

[Swampman]

I can use BH209 or Trail Boss.

 

[Boge]

I can use BH209 or Trail Boss.

:roll: Right, and it will never shoot worth a damn. Trust me.

 

[Swampman]

Ken Waters, Pet Loads #2 P-505

50-70, Shiloh Sharps Carbine

370 gr Shiloh 33 gr 4198 1200 fps near max cast
490 gr 515142 33 gr 4198 1199 fps maximum cast
300 gr Colorado 32 gr 4198 1151 fps normal jacketed

He says the middle one is the most accurate and best load tested.

 

[Boge]

Ken Waters is not a BP shooter and has no idea what a 50-70 will do with REAL BP. The 45-70 is one of the few, if not the only, BP rifle ctgs. that lends itself to smokeless decently, and even then a good BP load will be far more accurate.

However, it's your money. Just remember what you read here. :wink:

 

[Rockrat]

Measure you barrel thickness, I think those that rebore want at least 0.100" barrel thickness per side, so 50 cal would need a muzzle diameter of about 0,710"

A 50-70 in a #3 will kick the %$#@ out of you. I have a #1 that had been rebarreled by SSK, and you can load it quite warm and it is brutal.

You could also , possibly, go to 50 Alaskan

 

[Lee Martin]

It's hard to beat caliber and bullet weight. I agree....the 50-70 is a real thumper.

 

[bluedot54]

the ruger no. 3 in 45-70 is the most punishing gun i own or have ever shot. this with 400 grain bullets. and a moderate loads,not near max.
for what its worth. inc. 338 mag 7mm mag 375 h&h 45-70 ruger no.1 and a mariln.

 

[Swampman]

I love mine. I don't think it kicks much at all. I love the .375H&H and the 300 Weatherby too.

I'm sure smokeless will work fine. I hate cleaning guns.

 

[bluedot54]

dear swampman: don't know about you but hope you are a young man. as for me I'm in my mid sixty's and the shoulder, just is not what it once was.
with warm regards.
Ron Tait

 

[buckeyeshooter]

you could go 50 alaskan. It shoots smokless fine, has more power than a 50-70 and the case size is more in line with a 45/70 -- its based on a 348 winchester so, conversion is easier.

 

[cas6969]

I've said a number of times I would like an iron sighted, Ruger #1 in 500 Linebaugh. I think that would be a great little woods rifle.


(often people will chime in that 50 Alaskan would be a better choice, but I think the the Linebaugh would be simple enough, powerful enough and punishing enough.)

 

[buckeyeshooter]

Well you can load the alaskan to Linebaugh specs but not the Linebaugh to 50 ak specs. Guess you like the 44 special version better than the 44 mag version, not that that in itself is wrong.

 

[tek4260]

Just a thought, but Boge is probably right about the BP. I once had a 50-140 that wasn't accurate with 500gr boolits and 130gr of 4831(I believe), but was very accurate with a case full of BP. Too bad you couldn't keep sights on it with the absoulute brutal recoil of the BP in that 8lb or so rifle.

 

[cas6969]

Well you can load the alaskan to Linebaugh specs but not the Linebaugh to 50 ak specs. Guess you like the 44 special version better than the 44 mag version, not that that in itself is wrong.

I wanted interchangeability with my revolver.