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Ruger no 3

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7 comments

  • rufe-snow
    #3 was the less expensive light carbine version of the #1. As far as I know they been out of production for years.

    Knew a guy who had one in 45-70. Instead of using light handloads, he shot it with commercial ammo. It bout beat him black and blue, and gave him a permanent flinch.
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  • Hawk Carse
    A friend has a No 2 (No 3 barrelled action with No 1 wood, looks nice.) It is a barely 1 moa rifle; .223 rechambered from .22 K Hornet rechambered from .22 Hornet.

    Another friend has a No 1V that does much better.

    Good luck.
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  • 22hipower
    Lots of variation between individual guns I'm sure but generally speaking I think you'll find the #1 better than the #3 from an accuracy perspective. I had #3s in 22 hornet and 45-70 and never could get either one to shoot close to MOA. My experience with #1s is better but if you want MOA or tighter you're likely going to have to play with loads and perhaps add some tuning by a gunsmith. I've generally had better results with the Browning 1885; currently have one in 22-250 that routinely shoots 1/2 MOA. In my opinion looks as good as the Ruger and what could be more classic than John Browning's 1885.
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  • richarda
    Forend is on a hanger. Finger lever is different shape, and there is no separate trigger guard. Barrels only came in one weight & length (22"). No rib on barrel. Much plainer, less expensive stock & forend.
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  • RCrosby
    Richarda nailed it as far as the main differences. Never fired the family "3" in .223 enough to know what it could do. My No. 1, unmodified, would typically keep 5 rounds in 3/4". 1/2 on a very good day, 1 1/4 if I was off my feed. Never had the stringing problems you read a lot about. Maybe shouldn't have let it go, but it was heavy, and as I get older I turn more to lighter rifles and quieter rounds; .257 and .222 mostly.
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  • gruntled
    One difference is in the buttstock. The #3 has a curved steel buttplate instead of a recoil pad. My #3 45/70 can be fairly painful
    even with only mildly heavy loads.
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  • 62fuelie
    With my #1 .25-06 it took a bit of searching to find the load that it wanted, but once I tried a 117 grain Sierra BTSP with 49 grains of IMR 4350 it is a dream. I can't imagine the #3 giving better accuracy, velocity, or shooter comfort. My only experience with the #3 was a 45-70 with "trapdoor" loads. It was most uncomfortable!
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