Ruger No 3 caliber conversion

[PotatoJudge]

I'm thinking of having my No 3 sent off for a rebore and rechamber. It's a 22 Hornet reamed to 223, so basically anything 338 and larger that'll clean up the 223 chamber should work. I'd keep it as-is, but the twist rate favors lighter bullets and I don't really need a varmint gun. I'm favoring a larger bore to help lighten the gun. Even with the little carbine barrel the thing is a brick in 22 cal.

I talked with JES Reboring yesterday and they will do it for $225, including return shipping.
www.35caliber.com/8.html

I'm considering:
338-06
357 max
35 Whelen
375 H&H
414 supermag
445 Supermag
454 Casull/460
500 Linebaugh/Linebaugh Long
50 Alaskan

Or anything else really. Gun is boxed up, but I can't decide.

If it was yours, what caliber would you go with?

 

[357Maximum]

357Maximum

 

[357Maximum]

Sorry for the short answer. After owning a number of #3 in the 80's. I know due to their stock design they are better suited to cartridges that don't recoil too much. I just aquired one that's been rebarrled to 257 Roberts

357

 

[Sagebrush Burns]

I'd be inclined to think about something like 30-40 Krag or 30-30.

 

[rugerjunkie]

Does that price include everything such as redoing the extractor?

Id be all over a 357 max! Loads out of a carbine can equal 35 rem power.

 

[cellar701]

My choice for that carbine would be 35 Remington.

 

[Kanook]

Another vote for .357max. I've been saving for a max barrel for my T/C Encore.

I'm hoping to see an American in .357max

 

[pruger45]

22-250.

 

[gewehrfreund]

I cast my vote for the 357 Max. too.
Enough power for deer/bear when loaded up, and all sorts of potential (and cheap) fun when loaded down.


Alternatively, since you appear to like oddballs, I'd say 356 Win. (or 358 Win. in the rimless, less oddball version)

 

[Big Old Boy]

I would also go with the 357 max.

 

[steelshooterco]

Do they have any kind of accuracy guarantee after the work they do in terms of group size, and how many shots per group, distance, etc?

 

[Mike Armstrong]

Rebore accuracy depends on the quality of the job, like any rifle barrel. The smith you mention has an excellent reputation, and so does the .357 Max!

My own favorite for this kind of deal would be a .25-35, but you'd have to consult your micrometer to know if it would clean up the .223 chamber. (I'm GUESSING it would).

 

[jn 41]

35 whelen or 358 winchester

 

[winman1550]

357 Max!

 

[PotatoJudge]

357 Max it is. Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. I went with the max for ease of reloading, I already load the round for a SBH and Contender so no need for new brass and dies, and light recoil so my nieces can shoot it.

 

[Don Lovel]

454/460 carbine would be fun and be able to shoot heavy cast load 45 Colt too. I am so tempted to do that to my #1 but could not find any barrel makers with carbine barrels in 455 reamer

 

[dfletcher]

357 Max it is. Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. I went with the max for ease of reloading, I already load the round for a SBH and Contender so no need for new brass and dies, and light recoil so my nieces can shoot it.

So 351 WSL is out of the question? :wink:

I just got my first 357 Max barrel - for a T/C Contender, went with a 17" shorty and small scope. I must admit being inclined to not like the cartridge for some reason. I thought the "wow, great fps" routine and accuracy was over rated. But I really like it and of course it's a breeze to reload.

 

[PotatoJudge]

Got the gun back today, right at 3 weeks. They rebored, rifled, crowned, remarked the caliber, and recut the ejector. The chamber seems tight trying a few different 38/357 reloads. Some need finger pressure to chamber. Everything looks good so far.

I'm going to put together some 180 grain jacketed loads to test accuracy.

The rifle used to be very muzzle heavy but now it's 6.6 lbs and balances just forward of the receiver. Still not as svelt as my Browning Low Wall in 45 Colt, but it's a definite improvement and I appreciate the tang safety for hunting over the 1885.