Ruger #3 rifles

[Chubbo]

Is there a section of this forum dedicated to the #3 rifles?
Thanks.
Chubbo :?:

 

[picketpin]

Nope, just here in the long gun/shot guns along with the #1s

RWT

 

[Chubbo]

Here is my Ruger #3 in .22 Hornet. Bought it several years ago, as I liked the .22 hornet cartridge, and iliked my #1 in .243, and thought I would try a #3. I put a scope on it, bore sighted It, and never shot it. Also found a steel butt plate and installed it. Maybe I'll get around to shooting it some this summer.

 

[golferboy426]

nice one

 

[Rumrunner]

Now that's will power.

 

[mohavesam]

Have a couple 45/70 No. 3s I'd let go of. took awhile to find them in nearly-new condition. Cost-wise, what's the consensus on those these days?

 

[picketpin]

I see them while trolling for #1s. I'd see them in the common calibers for $600 in great or like new I've paid as little as $350 for "project" #s that are either apart or messed up.

I have owned 7, All were rebarreled and made into #2s.

RWT

 

[mohavesam]

Surprising. Know of any available now ("great or like-new") for $600-ish??? :?: :?: :?:

 

[picketpin]

Sam: There are 4 on GB right now. The first is a 222 that was punched from a 22 Hornet and the fore end "modified". Current bid $350 with one bid. Buy it now $800 but it's met reserve and he'll never get close to $800.

The next is a 223 that looks pretty darned good . Current and only bid is the only bid $650, with 12 minutes to go.

The other two are a bit more based on caliber a 375 Win with a buy it now of $900 and no bids and a 30-40 with a buy it now of $900 and no bids.

Yes, I regularly see 45-70s, Hornets in particular go for right at $600

RWT

The 223 just sold for $650 with the single bid.

 

[mohavesam]

Not concerned with GB (always add another $50+ for shipping & transfer) - thought maybe you had a line on a LGS with a gun-on-the-shelf, maybe...

Too bad about the bubba job on that 223/222 gun. :shock:

 

[picketpin]

Nope any LGS is about 150 miles from here and other than pawn shops there are only about 3 maybe 4 stores that sell used guns at all. Cabelas, Boise Gun and...................okay, maybe two. We already know about Cabelas prices that leaves Boise Gun and the pawn shops. I can't think of anybody within 350 miles that actually stocks #1s. There were two, both went under when Sportsmans Warehouse and Cabelas hit town. Okay, MAYBE Salt Lake but I seldom if ever have reason to go there. Portland from time to time.

RWT

 

[gabbyone]

Here is an example of what you can do with the factory stock. I put on a flat buttplate, carved cheek panels and added a Schnabel to the fore end. Only the factory wood was used.
This #3 is a .223 tack driver, and can shoot 1/2" groups all day at 100 yds.
Unfortunately it no longer exists, having been destroyed in a house fire.

 

[219DW]

The .223 No.3 in the center of this pic is another example of a modified No.3 stock. I found it at a local gun show two years ago. I was looking for a .22 Hornet, but couldn't pass this one up for $575 since it also had a Kepplinger set trigger.

Dave

 

[barracudadave67]

I have two #3's. One is 45-70, stock the way it camefrom Ruger, and the other was a .44 mag that was rebored to .444 marlin. They are buried in one of my gun lockers. I have had them for many years.

barracudadave67

 

[chsparkman]

I have a #3 in .223. This past summer I developed a load using a cast 40 gr bullet over a light charge of Green Dot that will group into one hole at 50 yards. Just got lucky with this one. Had fun popping squirrels with it this past Fall.

 

[gewehrfreund]

I have two #3's. One is 45-70, stock the way it camefrom Ruger, and the other was a .44 mag that was rebored to .444 marlin. They are buried in one of my gun lockers. I have had them for many years.

barracudadave67

Ouch! To those of us interested in the rarity aspects of these rifles, that one really hurts.


(but as I often say, it just makes the unaltered ones that much rarer and more valuable :wink: )

 

[barracudadave67]

Blackhawk
Yeah the .444 was that way when I got it, in the early 80's. I havn't shot either of them in years. The recoil on them left a lot to be desired. I know I could not get the .444 to shoot as good as I would have liked, but then I was just getting into reloading. I should try again with some friendlier loads.
barracudadave67

 

[cat1870]

I have a #3 .45-70 with a Weaver 2.5x scope, 200th Yr., and I'd say it's between 95-98 %. I may still have the box but will have to look tomorrow. I do have the manual.
Would anyone be interested? I'm thinking $800.00.
Comments are appreciated. And the Ruger is located in south west Utah.

Cat

 

[montana outfitters]

I had a #3 in 45-70...........planned to use it as a guiding rifle during big game season but soon learned what happens when you try for 1800 fps with 405 gr Remingtons in a 6 pound rifle..............wow........it kills on BOTH ends and soon resolved to find a #1 in 375 H&H and convert this into a 22BR....looks cool,packs light but god have mercy on the guy that tried to load this up to what a 45-70
can comfortably do in a #1-3 action..................

 

[cat1870]

I had a #3 in 45-70...........planned to use it as a guiding rifle during big game season but soon learned what happens when you try for 1800 fps with 405 gr Remingtons in a 6 pound rifle..............wow........it kills on BOTH ends and soon resolved to find a #1 in 375 H&H and convert this into a 22BR....looks cool,packs light but god have mercy on the guy that tried to load this up to what a 45-70
can comfortably do in a #1-3 action..................

AKA: "The Atom Smasher"

 

[mohavesam]

The Leverrevolution ammo really makes the 45-70 into a deer hammer out to 200 yards, without having to see your masseuse for a week. Extends the range a bit also due to the lower drag coefficient of the 21st century bullet. A truckload more energy than a 454Casull (handgun) and will whack anything smaller than a mastodon.
Place the shot. I hate tracking in the dark.

 

[freewaydan]

if anyone is looking for a #3 in a .375 I have one for sale

 

[dfletcher]

A quick question on the No3 trigger - is it the same as the "pre-79" No1 trigger and can really be adjusted, or is it the nearly non-adjust type found on newer No1s?

 

[gewehrfreund]

A quick question on the No3 trigger - is it the same as the "pre-79" No1 trigger and can really be adjusted, or is it the nearly non-adjust type found on newer No1s?

You'd think that Ruger would have put the three-screw trigger in any pre-1977 No. 3, but apparently, they didn't, and when I have asked before, I was told that all No. 3s came with the 2-screw (aka not truly adjustable) trigger.

 

[dfletcher]

^
Thanks. That would make sense, too bad Ruger skipped on it.