Hey
How strong are these actions? I have only seen them chambered in a couple of calibers like 45/70. I was thinking of doing a build up with one but would like to know what pressures this action can handle with regards to newer cartridges. Thanks in advance

Aren't they the same actions as the No 1's with different levers? If so, then you can build almost anything on them. I'm no Ruger expert so maybe someone else knows more.

Yup. Same action as a #1. and even though the #3 was only built with rimmed cases, there is no such limitation on a rebarrel. The extractor works for rimless.

Sorry, but I have an original .223 #3.

.22 hornet,.44 mag, .30-40 krag, .45-70, .223 were the original calibers I believe.

Same basic action as a number 1. They are great rifles,just never understood why Ruger wanted to make it look like some sort of stubby military gun with a plastic butt plate and bad sights.

quote:

They are great rifles,just never understood why Ruger wanted to make it look like some sort of stubby military gun with a plastic butt plate and bad sights.

And wouldn't they have sold a boatload of them if they had offered it in 30/30?

Nord
You would have bought one in 30/40k wouldn't you. I've got one in 30/40 great deer gun.

quote:

Originally posted by huntersdad:
Hey
How strong are these actions? I have only seen them chambered in a couple of calibers like 45/70. I was thinking of doing a build up with one but would like to know what pressures this action can handle with regards to newer cartridges. Thanks in advance

The #3 will handle any round the No. 1will handle, ie., any cartridge that is not too fat to allow it to be properly chambered in a barrel that will fit the action!

quote:

Nord, You would have bought one in 30/40k wouldn't you

No question but that the 30/40 is a great cartridge for all sorts of game, but I actually passed on several No.3 carbines in 30/40 back in the day when they were actually pretty inexpensive. I'd have bought one in 44 magnum if I'd ever seen one. I still think a 30/30 No.3 would have sold like hotcakes.

They were also made in .375 Winchester. My collection includes one of them.

The Ruger #3 is an extremely strong action.
Without knowing it I shot some published loads for the 458 Winchester. A Strong Action!

quote:

Originally posted by MADISON:
The Ruger #3 is an extremely strong action.
Without knowing it I shot some published loads for the 458 Winchester. A Strong Action!

In a .45/70?? What happened????

How'd you get all that powder in the 45-70 case? That's like tryin to haul 2 ton of fertilizer in a 1 ton truck!

My loaner is a #3 in .375 rechambered to H&H.
The original aluminum recoil pad has helped with keeping bore wear to a minimum.

quote:

Originally posted by Ewin:
My loaner is a #3 in .375 rechambered to H&H.
The original aluminum recoil pad has helped with keeping bore wear to a minimum.

a 375 H&H in a #3? I imagine it hasn't had very many rounds at ALL down the bore. I bet that thing flat THUMPS you....

The recoil of my #3 45/70 was so bad I considered it (for me) unshootable and re-barreled to 6.5mm. I can't imagine shooting full-house 375 H&H ammo in that 5 1/2 lb. rifle with it's 22" barrel. Bet it's fun to watch though!

Jon

A few years ago I rebarreled a #3 in .45-120. I milled an octagon for it that was 30 inches long, 1-inch flat to flat at the muzzle. I made a custom set of scope bases for it. It shot very well and the recoil wasn't bad. The barrel added a lot of wieght and the balance wasn't that bad. Interesting project...

I used to have a #3 in 45-70. It was the most uncomfortable rifle to shoot. The stock configuation is better suited as a canoe paddle than it is a rifle. The action is fine, but the stock is a throwaway.

quote:

Originally posted by brianbo:
I used to have a #3 in 45-70. It was the most uncomfortable rifle to shoot. The stock configuation is better suited as a canoe paddle than it is a rifle. The action is fine, but the stock is a throwaway.

I agree!!! In 1995 I sold a matched pair of No.3 45-70's (#s 55,555 and 55,556) new and unfired in the boxes for $550 for the pair just because my third one was such a poorly stocked gun for pleasant shooting with anything like modern loads.

Part of that I felt was also due to the lever design of the No. 3, which I detest. With a No. 1 style lever (made into what is locally called a Ruger No. 2) and with a better stock they ARE the basis for a really nice gun.

MHO, YMMV.

Another on a #3 in .45-70. My mama only raise one afool an' he live in Michigan!