duplicate post

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From Wyoming where gun control is how well you can aim.
Kenneth A. Crips Radio Station W7ITC, ARRL, Life member of the NRA

Wasn't there a barrel band on the #3's? Also lesser wood and stuff. More of a "utility rifle" in my memory.

I never have owned one. Got to shoot one chambered 45-70 years ago. It shot real well (even by me).

I think Ruger was just trying to "tap" into two markets at the time. #1's were beutiful. #3's were so-so. Both strong as a bolt gun. Or stronger.

Moderator Ribbonstone and I disaggreed about the looks of the two rifles. He prefered the #3 over the # 1. I was the other way. Nothing happened about that. Just personal opinion I guess. Perhaps this "#2 concept" is a way to go!

Dead tough rifles, both of them. Tear either one down and re-assemble to see that. Both stronger than most common bolt-rifles in my view. NOT SAYING BETTER. Just stronger.

I remember Brownell's selling the actions for near $450 Hindsite.

Cheezywan

Here is a full view of a No.3. Plastic butt plate, aluminum barrel ban, functional but ugly iron sights, mud plain wood. etc. If you also have No.1's such as I have they are almost painful to look at. But having said this they are excellent shooters. The No.3 I have in the 22hornet is a sweet heart which has some where around 3,000 rounds through it. I have long contemplated having it reamed for the .22 K Hornet. The "K" by the way stands for Lysle Kilbourn but with a 1 in 16 twist there really isn't any point. When the No.3 was introduced it was chambered in just three cartridges, .22 Hornet, .30-40 Krag, and the 45/70 Government.

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From Wyoming where gun control is how well you can aim.
Kenneth A. Crips Radio Station W7ITC, ARRL, Life member of the NRA

I have a suggestion for those of you who might be looking to get a 45/70 in a No.1. Take a look at the .450-400 Nitro Express 3" instead. The No.1 is chambered in this quintessential English express cartridge. It shoots a 400 grain bullet at 2,100 fps. I am a huge fan of the .375 H&H in fact in a No.1 Tropical Rifle is really is the only hunting rifle I use and it has been so for over 25 years. These cartridges are so versatile when handloaded. Loaded as a 38/55 Winchester with a 255 grain bullet at 1900 fps I have a first rate deer rifle. The .400 NE can be loaded as one of the .40 caliber Sharps cartridges .40/100 etc which makes just as good a deer cartridge. Yet you can step things up for Grizzly Bear, Moose,and Elk (Wapiti)

__________________
From Wyoming where gun control is how well you can aim.
Kenneth A. Crips Radio Station W7ITC, ARRL, Life member of the NRA

So just the trigger guard and lever are the only parts one would have to change to go from #1 to #3? Then the wood?

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MikeG

Hey Mike G,

The bottom tang of the Ruger #1 contains the trigger guard. The bottom tang of the Ruger #3 has no trigger guard, the lever serves as a trigger guard.

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom

OK, they have a separate tang like a Marlin..... think I got it now! Thanks for your help. I've been intrigued by the Ruger #1 for a while, but have never owned one.

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MikeG

Hey Mike G.,

Go to page 3 on this thread and see Signalshifter's pictures of #1 and #3 Rugers. It plainly shows the difference between the #1 and #3 levers and trigger ring.

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom

I do appreciate you pointing that out, thanks!

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MikeG

Mike G,
You owe it to yourself to pick one up and look at it. The Number 1 is a piece of art. Bill Ruger got it right.

I've got 4 Number 1s now and a Number 3. Have a friend who is itching to buy my Number 3 though. It would make room for another Number 1 though.

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Be popular? Heck, I have enough friends.
and...
"That way lies madness".

There are several #1s at a local gunshop with spectacular wood, and prices to match. Some sort of special run I think.

On of them in .338 Win Mag is just beautiful.... I want it just for the stock!

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MikeG

I know what you mean, Mike, the local gunstore had a cicassian walnut (sp) number 1 in 45-70 with the 26 inch barrel. I just could not spring 900 + dollars for a third 45-70.

Once again:

Ruger #3 .375 JDJ with Ruger #1 wood
Weaver Mounts
Leupold weaver style QD rings
Leupold Vari X-III 1.5x5 scope, duplex crosshair
This rifle was originally chambered in .375 Winchester, JD Jones at SSK Industries did the re-chamber job
100 pcs of brass, about half are loaded
RCBS dies from JD Jones

Price: $1200

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom

The cartridge that the above rifle is chambered in, the .375 JDJ, is a simple case to form. Using the RCBS dies that come with the rifle, you simply run the .444 Marlin case through the full length sizing dies and wipe off the lube. Bingo, instant .375 JDJ cases. Chamfer inside and outside of the case mouth as you would with any new case and load. No fire forming or massive trimming operations to do.

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom

PS: Cases should last a long time as this is a relatively low pressure cartridge because it was designed to be used in the T/C Contender. Most sane loads operate at below 45,000 psi. Since the Ruger #3 can handle loads up to 65,000 psi, some interesting load combos can be loaded and used in this rifle. Comprehensive pressure tested loading data comes with the rifle.

Dave, have you checked with the guys over at Ruger Forum?
There are a few of us over here but they are the real Number 1 nuts. Fun to listen to too because they just know so much about these guns. I've learned probably about as much about Ruger firearms, in specific, there as I've learned about general shooting stuff here. Another good site with good people.
You may have better luck there with your sale.


Neat rifle though. Hope she finds a good home.

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Be popular? Heck, I have enough friends.
and...
"That way lies madness".

I have a custom barreled Ruger no. 3 in 6mmbr and I get very good accuracy out of it. I average between 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch at 100 yards with no problem. I have a 6-18x40 Nikon scope on it and I really like the little rifle.

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Patron member NRA, Life member TSRA, HGCA, Whittington Founders club.

There's gotta be someone out there that could use a Ruger #3 with #1 wood chambered in .375 JDJ. It is a good large game rig for the lower 48 and anything in Alaska and Canada up to grizzly.

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom

OK, a price reduction on the .375 JDJ Ruger #3 with #1 wood. How about $1000 for rifle, dies, scope cases and loaded ammo.

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom

Dave,
Please take it to the Trading Post.

Trading Post - Shooters Forum

Thread closed.

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NRA Endowment Member
SCI Member