#3 RSI in .218 bee?

[Uncle_tom79]

I'm new to the Ruger single shots, but not to Rugers in general. I've recently purchased a #3 that has me stumped. It's definitely a No. 3, has the lever that forms the trigger guard and is marked No. 3 on the reciever. It's also chambered in .218 Bee, which I can't find anything to suggest Ruger ever offered in a No. 3. It also has beautiful checkered walnut furniture with a mannlicher style forend, suggesting a RSI, also from what I've found, No. 1 only. The gun looks all original in very good condition. Can someone set me straight on this oddball? Someone's rechambered and re-stocked custom No. 3? Or an oddball factory gun?

 

[gewehrfreund]

Almost (can never bee 100% certain with Ruger) 99.99% certainly a custom gun, but more importantly


WE NEED PICTURES!!!


It sounds like something that I'd find too enticing to resist. Probably a rechambered 22 Hornet barrel if it's a Ruger barrel and not a full custom barrel.

 

[Uncle_tom79]

All I have on my phone. It is a Ruger barrel, possibly rechambered. Picked it up for $650 with 50 rounds of ammo and a Japanese Tasco 3-9x32 scope. Think I made out ok? Ordered dies, on the lookout for brass.

 

[gewehrfreund]

First of all, welcome to the forum (forgot to say that before)!

It looks like a nice rifle and is definitely not any sort of factory production. I don't think you overpaid, but then I'm a great fan of the 218 Bee and mannlicher fore ends.
It will be interesting to see how it shoots. If you reload, the accuracy will probably surprise you, though, if it's a rechambered 22 Hornet barrel, there will be some excess freebore ahead of the 218 Bee chamber.

 

[5of7]

I have a #1 in .218 Bee, so it is sure possible that Ruger chambered the #3 in .218 bee.

As to the wood and finger lever, I would suspect that it is a #3 with #1 wood.

Or a special run of #3s for a distributor perhaps? 8)

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Custom build.........has a cheek piece stock. Sounds like a heckofa buy to me....... 8)

 

[R1895]

Beautiful rifle and at a descent price.
I have to agree with HAWKEYE#28, in that it appears to be a custom job. It's not #1 wood and although it's not impossible for Ruger to have let a #3 go out the door in .218 Bee, there's a greater chance they didn't.

 

[chet15]

The #3 was discontinued about four years before the #1 was chambered in .218 Bee.
Chet15

 

[SteveRuger]

How does it shoot? I love 218 Bee taken many a critter with that caliber!

 

[Uncle_tom79]

Managed to put 5 rounds through it before it got dark my last time out, shot really well. Wind was up pretty good and I was shooting factory ammo that was who knows how old. Still put all 5 within 2" at 100. I managed to find 100 pieces of new brass, some 40 and 50 grain bullets and some dies. I have some H110 to try, but I'm looking for some Lil Gun.

After some closer examination, the original markings have been milled off the barrel and re-stamped. The chamber is long, so I guess my questions are answered. Thanks to everyone for helping me figure this one out.