vol423
Bearcat
I've heard of them in .22 Hornet, .223, 30-40, .375 Winchester, 44 mag and 45-70. Which is the rarest? What are the relative values in today's current market?
Which is the rarest caliber in a NO 3?
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RUFFBIRD
Blackhawk
From what I gather over the yrs, the .44 mag seems like the rarest calibre cataloged, of which only about 200 were ever produced.
TWalker
Bearcat
As has already been mentioned, the .44 Magnum is the rarest of the standard six catalogued No. 3 's. They sell in the $850-1,000 range if unaltered in 98% condition. I consider the .375 Winchester and the 30-40 Krag the next hardest to find and value them at $750-850. The rest aren't particularly difficult to find and I value them in 95% or better condition at $600.
gewehrfreund
Buckeye
I believe there were a few 30-06 #3's produced, and these would have to be the rarest, even though they were never catalogued.
Mike Armstrong
Hunter
.45-70s used to be common in great condition; people would buy one, shoot three factory rounds thru it, and sell it off or put it in the back of the safe. Kills on both ends! And the shape of the buttstock didn't help a bit.
pete44ru
Hunter
I don't know how many (few) were made, but the onlyest .30-06 #3 I ever saw was accompanied by it's framed Factory letter - so you can be sure at least that one was made by Ruger. 
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flatgate
Hawkeye
I was part of the RCA Exhibit at the NRA Show in Seattle back in the early '90's. We did #3 Rifles. Leo Shuck, may he Rest In Peace, loaned us his .30-06 rifle. Ronnie Burke loaned us his "Viper" trainer which was a "rocket launcher" with a #3 action and short barrel that was chambered in, IIRC, a .30 Carbine tracer round.
We had several other "neat" #3's, including all the cataloged calibres, etc.
I thought our Exhibit was very nice. We had very minimal interest from the public.
Rats.
flatgate
We had several other "neat" #3's, including all the cataloged calibres, etc.
I thought our Exhibit was very nice. We had very minimal interest from the public.
Rats.
flatgate
Last spring, I missed a 44 Mag due to lack of funds. It sold for $400.
I am lucky enough to have a 375, 30-40, and a 223. I had a 22 Hornet that I traded for another project. Someday I hope to fill the remainder.
Dave
I am lucky enough to have a 375, 30-40, and a 223. I had a 22 Hornet that I traded for another project. Someday I hope to fill the remainder.
Dave
63November
Single-Sixer
flatgate":2eoqbift said:
As is, sadly, often the case with excellent stuff that is not well understood.
chet15
Hawkeye
63November":1q3wbly2 said:
And the exact reason I'm sure the #3 isn't made today.
Chet15
Otony
Blackhawk
I have a friend who swears the #3 was made in limited numbers chambered for 7x57 Mauser. He is not a Ruger collector type, but he did work in a gun shop for quite a few years.
Always wondered if he was right or if it was a mistaken memory on his part. He is not a gunshop commando, just an average joe/retired cop who hunts and fishs more than anyone else I have EVER known.
Always wondered if he was right or if it was a mistaken memory on his part. He is not a gunshop commando, just an average joe/retired cop who hunts and fishs more than anyone else I have EVER known.
TWalker
Bearcat
I think he is mistaken. I have never heard of this variation before even though it would be a wonderful choice of calibers for a No. 3.
vol423
Bearcat
I just bought six of them: 2 Hornets, a .223, .30-40, .375 and a 44 Mag. All are new, no box. Now all I need to do is find a .45-70 in like condition.
mohavesam
Hawkeye
Those 375 Winchester No. 3's make one of the finest shoulder-guns for treestand hunting anywhere in the great lakes region!
TDF
Single-Sixer
mohavesam":2qdadpk1 said:Those 375 Winchester No. 3's make one of the finest shoulder-guns for treestand hunting anywhere in the great lakes region!
Good to hear. I bought one that I haven't shot yet. Put a Leupold M8 4x (that I got on a garage sale for $20) on it. Need to get off my butt and work up a load for this years deers season, before it's too late.
TDF
vol423
Bearcat
I just posted a 44 Mag and a 375, both new, no box, for sale on Gunbroker. Let's see what the market says they're worth.
vol423":34e6713q said:
Your choice of course, but why not sell them here.........?
Dave
vol423
Bearcat
I didn't know there was a for sale forum here. I have an extra .22 Hornet and a .223 No 3, also new, that I haven't put on auction yet.
vol423":rd4shvbf said:
Yes sir, just navigate through the forum index. I'm sure you will get some interest here. Give it a try!
Dave
