It is a Ruger No. 3 with an aftermarket Ruger No. 1 laminated stock on it and a Lilja 26" stainless steel barrel. The caliber is a wildcat based on the 30-40 Krag case. The case is blown out straight, the shoulder is moved forward, and it is necked down to 7mm. The internal volume is 67.0gr of water, almost identical to the 280 Remington and 284 Winchester. Naturally, custom dies came with it. It also came with 880 Sierra 7mm 168gr target bullets.

It had been on sale for between 6 months and a year at a local gunshop. I made an offer on it, it was turned down, and it was or was not sold to someone else, but it never left the shop. In the meantime I looked at a small Martini and a Wicklife single-shots, but did not buy. About 3 months after I gave up on it, the gunshop guy asked if I still wanted it for my last offer. I said yes.

I robbed a Leupold 3-9x40 Vari-x II from one of my hunting rifles to sort it out. Started out with IMR4831 powder. Worked up to a compressed load of 51.5gr. Even compressed, there were no signs of pressure -- not even as much as factory 30-06 loads. I went to IMR4350. With it slightly compressed (51.0gr), the primer started to show the same signs I see with factory 30-06 loads -- but no excessive pressure signs. I have not decided if I am going to try a faster powder or not.

Haven't got it completely sorted out yet, but it looks like it has potential. Every group except one has been under 1" at 100 yards. I will be moving that out to 200 yards soon for further testing.

I have two other Ruger No. 3's (in 30-40 Krag and .375 Winchester) and I can say without any hesitation that the No. 1 stock reduces the felt recoil dramatically.


<img src="http://www.hunt101.com/showphoto.php?photo=448574&size=big&password=&sort=7&thecat=500">

Photos require the "other" image code:

[img] url.jpg [/img] -- only no "spaces." Would be nice to see a photo. Photo of the ammo would be good.

That is a nice looking package.Sounds like a shooter too!