#1 or #3 for my 444

[Joe S.]

Sorry about all these posts on 444 builds. But someone mentioned having a #3 done instead and I got to looking around at them. I've noticed they seem to have mostly straight stocks instead of the curved stocks like the #1s have.

I love straight stock guns. So I'm curious. Are the #3 actions as strong/ stronger than the #1's?

What is the difference in them? I know the lever looks different (simpler). I love the #1 but I really like the #3's I've seen too.

I want the 308 in #1 (one day) so maybe I should go with my custom build in 444 off the #3 action?

They seem more rare. Is that true or am I mistaken? Is it gonna be harder to find a #3 as a basis for a build?

I've been offered a #1 action already. But I've really been eying that 30/40 krag #3 in for sale section. If the money presents itself before it sells... Who knows

Thanks

 

[four70nitro]

exactly the same action as the No. 1, the lever is different, and no trigger guard, but otherwise the same

though it would be a shame to tear apart a .30-40 No. 3 as they are relatively uncommon -- if you want to tear one apart to make a .444 use a .45-70 or a .223.....

Dave

 

[gewehrfreund]

I agree with Dave about not tearing a nice 30-40 apart. There are hundreds of 45-70s available for every 30-40 you'll find. And you can probably get a well used one a lot cheaper.
Since the actions themselves are exactly the same (notice nitpickers that I said actions and not levers), you can add a #1 stock or any aftermarket #1 stock to a #3 action and have any style grip you want. The #3 stock in a 444 would not be a fun situation; the architechture/ergonomics is just not there for any cartridge with any sort of recoil.
Lance

P.S. If you want a #1 in .308, you'd better find one sooner rather than later. I would not be surprised if this were the last time Ruger chambers a #1 in 308 (or that it will be gone next year). They have tried it 3 times now since 1967, and it has been dropped for lackluster sales.

 

[Joe S.]

That's good info there. Thanks. I'm just tryin to get it all together in my head what I want to do.

Even tho the 308 wasn't a big seller and is a limited run, I still have a better chance of happening upon one of them than a 444... I would think...



Thanks

 

[Corbi]

I would use a 1s for a 444 build.

Corbi

 

[picketpin]

For what it's worth the actions for a #3 and a #1 are identical when it comes to strength.

The difference is the not JUST the lever but where the lever actually locks.

The #1 lever is operated by the separate piece in the lever of the locking lever that has a hook that latches into a cutout in the bottom of the trigger guard. The trigger guard is a separate piece of the rifle.

The #3 has a one piece lever that forms the trigger guard for the rifle. Thew locking is accomplished by a spring loaded plunger that is at the rear of the bottom of the lever on the right side. It also has a centrally located in the bottom of the lever that goes up between the breech blocks and latches.

You can not swap the levers from the #3 in to a #1 or the other way around.

The #3 lever is designed around the straight wristed #3 stock. (To the best of my knowledge there are no pistol gripped #3s from the factory) If you use a #3 action and a #1 stock it fits fine. BUT the way the rear of the #3 lever falls is quite awkward if you are using something that recoils as much as the 444. It works fine in original form on light recoiling stuff 17 Mach IV, 222 FB etc but your little finger and ring finger on your gripping fer end up grasping the levr in a odd way and they can get the Hell smacked out of them under recoil.

I alter the levers on #2s to follow the pistol grip if I use a #1 butt stock. Then form a small 180 degree hook that can be hooked with the little finger to cycle the action.

As mentioned by others the #3 stock is designed around an older stock style and different geometry. It does not handle recoil as well as the #1 stock and the #3 stock or one similar shaped would not be my choice for a heavy recoiling cartridge.

I have altered the #1 buttstock to a straight wrist and used the #3 actiuon/lever in stock form a few times. MOre often I use unaltered #1 wood and alter the lever.

As far a strength there is no advantage to one action over the other. It really depends on your goal. To be quite hinest simply rebarreling a #1 to handle the 444 would be the easiest and least exspensive way to go.

You can certainly use a #3 but then you are probably looking at some alteration to the levr and the wood and still will need the barrel. The #3 route will be quite a bit mopre exspensive and difficult than simply using a #1.

I really boils down to just how much you want to use a #3 and the #3 lever.

I have 6 or 7 custom/semi custom #2s that started rifle as #3s. Every ine cost more than simply re-chambering or re-barreling a #1 would have. But they were built for ME and I wanted very specific rifles and was willing to bear the additional exspense.

The best

Ross

 

[Joe S.]

Cool thanks for the info. I will have to try and fondle a #3 before actually deciding then. I really like the straight stocks but not sure I want to get my fingers beat up by the lever. Ho-hum...

Something to think about.

Thanks

 

[picketpin]

Joe: It's real hard to explain what you end up with using a #3 action and #1 wood in unaltered form and the "problem". I'll try and e-mail you a picture of a #2 that's "Stock" and try and point out the problem.

Of course you could go with a #3 and put a #1 butt stocvk on it and THEN decide if you want to alter the lever or the buttstock.

One of my personal favorites is a #2 with a altered #1 stock to a straaight wrist AND altering the #3 levr to follow the wrist after the trigger gaurd portion with the hook at the very tip.

It's really a matter of personal choice and what works for you both physically and estetically.

the best

Ross

 

[WebleyMan]

I saw a .444 Ruger No. 3 in one of my local haunts last year.

I was really excited when I picked it, thinking it was a .44 mag...then saw the extra ".4". I presumed it had been converted from a .44 mag.

I can understand the appeal of such a gun, but I don't think I'd want to fire the beast.

 

[DavidMc116]

This may be what you're after, but it's a 45-70 and it weighs in at just a touch over 5lbs. With cowboy loads its pleasant to shoot.

 

[Joe S.]

See I like that! Just the wrong caliber.

 

[Floridaoutdoors]

I found that my Ruger No.3 .375 Win Big Bore produced a much bigger recoil wallop than my Ruger No.1 Intl. 30-06

 

[Joe S.]

Rats.

This project maybe on hold for a little bit. To be continued

 

[Floridaoutdoors]

As luck would have it,in various recent Forum threads ( No.1 30/30) I have noted my personal experience is that the No.3 stock,metal butt plate .375 Win.Big Bore is less comfortable than No.1 International 30-06.

I did find a rubber recoil pad replacement for the No.3 but could not bear to leave the contraption on......