Ruger Number 3

wooly booger · February 26, 2013, 10:08 PM

I know this is one of those pie in the sky wishes.
I would love to see Ruger reintroduce the Number 3 in some of the cool new cartridges that are available today....especially the .17 Hornet, .460 S&W, .500 S&W, .480 Ruger. The old chamberings would be great too....22 Hornet, .223.

I had one in .45-70 for a short time and kick myself for getting rid of it. They were cool little rifles that were ahead of their time IMHO.

chiefr · February 27, 2013, 09:17 AM

They were great little rifles. I had one in .223. Fit and finish was exceptional.

I asked the question as to why they quit making them many years ago to a Ruger rep. He said, poor demand. If people wanted a singleshot, they would buy the #1 instead.

I thought I would add one question. When did they stop making the #3? Must have been over 30 years ago.

PetahW · February 27, 2013, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefr

When did they stop making the #3?

1987

.

VTRich · February 27, 2013, 08:18 PM

Great rifle. I have one in 30-40 Krag. Here is a shot with my No 1, also in 30-40 Krag.

AK103K · February 27, 2013, 08:34 PM

I recently inherited my dads old #3 in 45/70. I used to hate the thing when I was was younger, as he didnt reload for it, and all we ever shot out of it were heavy factory loads. After a half dozen or so rounds of that, I always wanted to just throw it in the creek. Its biggest downside, is its stock. Its like shooting a 10/22 or Mini 14, in 45/70.

I was close to just selling it off, when I started looking into reduced loads for it. Its now one of my favorites, and Ive been shooting the snot out of it. 300 grain LRNFP over 14.0 grains of Trail Boss, and its a puddy cat, and an accurate one at that. Fun stuff now.

**44 AMP** · February 27, 2013, 10:46 PM

I have 3 No.3s, .22 Hornet, .30-40 Krag, and .45-70. Fine little rifles.

On my .45-70, which was my first, (1983) a smart previous owner had a nice ventilated recoil pad installed. It tames the recoil of factory 405grloads nicely. With an equivalent handload, using a 400gr cast bullet, it will put three shots in two holes at 50yds.

And, if you are a recoil junkie, you can push jacketed bullets up to within about 300fps of the .458 Win Mag. In the light Ruger, you might even worry about detaching a retina, but what ever you hit gets hit! And so do you!

bamaranger · February 28, 2013, 05:47 AM

Ruger now makes plastic guns that sell cheap. All the old school charm, appeal and mystique that made Ruger what it is, that made it special, died with the old man as far as I'm concerned.

Yeah, they came out with the Ruger Scout....about 10-15 yrs too late. I think I read somewhere that Bill did not like the Scout concept.

About all of their really interesting guns are now discontinued. The .44's, the 96 Levers, Old Army, the No. 3 ...did I hear the shotgun line is done too? And who the blue blazes designed the improved accurized target Mini....yuck.

They are riding the crest of the current madness, but it would not surprise me if the No. 1 goes south as well, .....soon.

A No.3 in .22 Hornet for the novelty, or .223 for the practicality, is on the list, but will likely never happen.

kraigwy · February 28, 2013, 09:56 AM

I think the 30-40 Krag is an underrated cart.

I'd love to find a #3 in 30-40 to go with my 1898 Krag.

McShooty · February 28, 2013, 05:52 PM

Keep looking Kraigwy, it will be worth it. I agree the .30-40 is an underrated round. The No. 3, .30-40 that I bought new some years ago has always been a great shooter. I have a couple Springfield Krags and they also shoot well, even with corroded bores, a common feature of Krags, but not as well as the No. 3. The Ruger is also very strong, allowing for a greater range of safe experimentation with handloads. I am afraid prices are going up, and I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Ruger to bring the No. 3 back to market.

February 27, 2013, 09:17 AM	#2
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	They were great little rifles. I had one in .223. Fit and finish was exceptional. I asked the question as to why they quit making them many years ago to a Ruger rep. He said, poor demand. If people wanted a singleshot, they would buy the #1 instead. I thought I would add one question. When did they stop making the #3? Must have been over 30 years ago. Last edited by chiefr; February 27, 2013 at 09:24 AM.

February 27, 2013, 10:46 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,818	I have 3 No.3s, .22 Hornet, .30-40 Krag, and .45-70. Fine little rifles. On my .45-70, which was my first, (1983) a smart previous owner had a nice ventilated recoil pad installed. It tames the recoil of factory 405grloads nicely. With an equivalent handload, using a 400gr cast bullet, it will put three shots in two holes at 50yds. And, if you are a recoil junkie, you can push jacketed bullets up to within about 300fps of the .458 Win Mag. In the light Ruger, you might even worry about detaching a retina, but what ever you hit gets hit! And so do you! __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

February 28, 2013, 05:47 AM	#7
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,302	darn ruger Ruger now makes plastic guns that sell cheap. All the old school charm, appeal and mystique that made Ruger what it is, that made it special, died with the old man as far as I'm concerned. Yeah, they came out with the Ruger Scout....about 10-15 yrs too late. I think I read somewhere that Bill did not like the Scout concept. About all of their really interesting guns are now discontinued. The .44's, the 96 Levers, Old Army, the No. 3 ...did I hear the shotgun line is done too? And who the blue blazes designed the improved accurized target Mini....yuck. They are riding the crest of the current madness, but it would not surprise me if the No. 1 goes south as well, .....soon. A No.3 in .22 Hornet for the novelty, or .223 for the practicality, is on the list, but will likely never happen.

February 28, 2013, 09:56 AM	#8
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I think the 30-40 Krag is an underrated cart. I'd love to find a #3 in 30-40 to go with my 1898 Krag. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

February 26, 2013, 10:08 PM	#1
wooly booger Junior member Join Date: February 22, 2013 Location: on the edge Posts: 143	Ruger Number 3 I know this is one of those pie in the sky wishes. I would love to see Ruger reintroduce the Number 3 in some of the cool new cartridges that are available today....especially the .17 Hornet, .460 S&W, .500 S&W, .480 Ruger. The old chamberings would be great too....22 Hornet, .223. I had one in .45-70 for a short time and kick myself for getting rid of it. They were cool little rifles that were ahead of their time IMHO.

February 27, 2013, 08:18 PM	#4
VTRich Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 288	Great rifle. I have one in 30-40 Krag. Here is a shot with my No 1, also in 30-40 Krag.

February 27, 2013, 08:34 PM	#5
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	I recently inherited my dads old #3 in 45/70. I used to hate the thing when I was was younger, as he didnt reload for it, and all we ever shot out of it were heavy factory loads. After a half dozen or so rounds of that, I always wanted to just throw it in the creek. Its biggest downside, is its stock. Its like shooting a 10/22 or Mini 14, in 45/70. I was close to just selling it off, when I started looking into reduced loads for it. Its now one of my favorites, and Ive been shooting the snot out of it. 300 grain LRNFP over 14.0 grains of Trail Boss, and its a puddy cat, and an accurate one at that. Fun stuff now.

February 28, 2013, 05:52 PM	#9
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	Keep looking Kraigwy, it will be worth it. I agree the .30-40 is an underrated round. The No. 3, .30-40 that I bought new some years ago has always been a great shooter. I have a couple Springfield Krags and they also shoot well, even with corroded bores, a common feature of Krags, but not as well as the No. 3. The Ruger is also very strong, allowing for a greater range of safe experimentation with handloads. I am afraid prices are going up, and I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Ruger to bring the No. 3 back to market.