Talk me out of a Ruger No. 3 in 45-70

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ACP

ACP

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I've read all the reviews -- curved metal buttplate "kills on both ends."

But there's something about the slightly used Ruger No. 3 in 45-70 at my LGS that calls to me -- single shot, huge bore, trim and light, and adjustable, high-visibility iron sights (also D&T for a scope mount).

Would $750 OTD be a waste of my money?

And -- yes -- I do plan on handloading for it.
 
Cann't talk you out of it cause I have one with s Shielen barrel and No1 butt stock and reshaped the orignal forearm to the shape of a Sharps, get it and enjoy it!!!
 
Talk me out of a Ruger No. 3 in 45-70
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Now why would I want to do that??

The #3 is no longer made, and can only increase in value over the yeras.

If it kicks too hard?
Get a PAST shoulder pad, or handload lighter recoiling ammo.

But don't pass it up if you want a unique firearm never to be made again!

rc
 
ditto,,,why would I want to do that. I have one also. The 350 gr bullet over 50gr of re7 is a killer,,but only on the important end. Fun fun fun
 
I own Ruger no. 3s in .223 and .22 Hornet.....in .45-70 you will get the snot knocked out of you in that carbine....enjoy...keep smiling and tell everyone how much you love it.
 
rcmodel, I have to say, I always appreciate your input. I read a lot of your posts and you seem extremely knowledgable (can you tell me how to spell that?) and I believe we have similar tastes in firearms.

As I told on of the shop employees, I'm looking for something different -- I almost went with an Brno Effect break-action single shot in .308 but the sights are miniscule and the price -- even with a discount -- was about $1700.
I missed a chance a month ago for a Winchester 1885 Hi Wall sporter in 45-70 -- gorgeous wood, straight stock, iron sights, rubber recoil pad for $1000 NIB. It was gone by the time I made up my mind. Looking for shooting steel and maybe some large game in the future. Plus, I'd be getting into reloading with the 45-70, which I understand is fun and easy to reload for.
 
Every0one needs at least one .45-70, and the Ruger #3 is a classic. With handloads you can tame the recoil or learn to suffer creatively. Go for it. You can't usually pay to much for guns, only buy them too soon.
 
Talk you out of it, are you out of your mind, NO.

I understand that the Buffalo are making a comeback, never tell when you might need it. (LOL) (just in case you needed a reason, but who needs a reason?)

Jim
 
Talk you out of it?!!! Why on earth would I do a silly thing like that? I can't even talk myself out of spending more than I should on guns. Everyone should have at least one .45-70 in their collection, mine is an ancient Marlin lever gun.
 
wlewisiii, it ain't even in your time zone, so don't even try! :D

thanks for the input... now I gotta run this by my hunting partner this morning, I don't imagine he'll say "No"

Now if I start to handload for 45-70, I may as well go ahead and get the Ruger Blackhawk Flattop in .44 Special (also at an LGS!) and make the handloading investment really worthwhile, right? And then explain to the wife all those new gadgets on the basement workbench...
 
It's a neat gun, but that's a Ruger #1 kind of price and not a Ruger #3 kind of price, at least in my neighborhood. See if you can chat 'em down on the cost.....
 
I second the notion buy the little beast. A No 3 is the same action as the No 1 but minus the fancy loading lever and wood. And who says you have to load ammo to nuclear levels,400 gr bullets at 1200 -1300 fps will anchor almost anything in the lower 48 short of brown and grissly. I was having a pistol worked on by a gunsmith and he told me he had a customer that had a No 3 rebored to 470 NE. Talk about biting at both ends,OUCH
 
Ok I'll try. Don't buy it. Instead, buy the one on Gunsamerica.com. They have one for $725 and it say's " never fired ". ;)
 
cool guns but to me a piece of elegant furniture first and gun second. If that is what you are after get it. $50, $75 or $100 bucks extra isnt going to make or break most folks and often worth the ticket price for instant gratification. When it comes to single shots Encores and Contenders rule if you want function over fashion.
 
Sorry, I can't talk you out of it. Too bad for you, I guess you'll have to buy it now. What a shame.
You'll love it. It's a very versatile caliber that can be loaded way down for almost no recoil, or jacked up and it'll take down anything on the continent. Handloading is the only way to go with one of those cannons. While I don't own a #3, I do have a couple of 45/70's and really enjoy the caliber.
 
no,no misery loves company. i don,t want to be in be rehab all by my self. eastbank.
 

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Price depends on condition. I consider a #3 or #1 barrelled action, "as new" worth about $500. As far as 45-70 recoil goes, it depends on what you load in it. With the #3 in 45-70 you can learn the true meaning of the phrase "just because you can do a thing doesn't mean you should". "Ruger only" 45-70 loads will be fierce. Trapdoor level loads are fun and effective. Mine loves 300gr bullets at 1800fps and that does everything I need it to do. A 400gr load at 1300fps is similar in recoil and effectiveness.
 
Grab it up! The No. 3 features prominently in "40 years with the .45-70" and is not easy to find at all anymore. Awesome piece for the BP and moderate power .45-70's. If your shoulder is strong and retinas secure, you can amp it up as well. Though you really don't need to.

The price would have been high 5-10 years ago, but not anymore.
 
Why not?

Ihave a Marlin in 45-70 that is bad medicine for elk in dark timber. I told my dad you can load 45-70 for Ruger#1's so what does he do but run out and duy one. Then he says load me some of those higher loads for it. I only loaded five cause I knew how much mine kicks and the Ruger was way lighter to boot. So next time I seen him I asked him how those loads shot. He said god don't load anymore of those cause when he shot it he dropped the gun. Thought maybe he was holding it wrong so shot again and same result. So he has played a trick on three people and got them to shoot the rest of those loads. By the way they were safe and showed no signs of pressure issues. Regular loads are just fine for him now. Twogun
 
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