PRICE CHECK - Ruger No.3

[Bruce Scott]

How much would you expect to pay for a #3 in VGC. I have seen a nice one in 45-70 going for US$530.

[Lefty Dude]

Thats about the going price.

Saw one this past Saturday at the Phoenix Gun Show #3 45-70, asking price $495.00

Last year I sold my #3 30-40 krag for $500.00.

[Blaine]

Have you shot it? For some reason #3s in 45-70 seem to kick about twice as hard as other 45-70s with the same loads.....I thought it was just me, but others have commented on that as well. Nice rifle, just not an all afternoon plinker

[Bruce Scott]

Have you shot it? For some reason #3s in 45-70 seem to kick about twice as hard as other 45-70s with the same loads.....

Nope....

I'm expecting it to thump but it seems like it would make a nice handy scrub gun for pigs.

[Bear 45/70]

The straight stock on the #3 is a recoil amplifier. I've shot both a #3 and a #1 in 45/70, one after the other. Makes me glad my #3 is in 22 Hornet.

[Old Savage]

Friend of mine shoots pigs with a #3. I didn't find it too bad for hunting duty.

[Blaine]

Friend of mine shoots pigs with a #3. I didn't find it too bad for hunting duty.

+1.......Don't let me talk you out of it, that will be a dandy hunter..Ya never feel or hear anything shooting at something that could bite back

[Old Savage]

You know Blaine - if possible, I think it would be a good idea too shoot one before you buy.

[model55]

I'd buy just because you rarely see them any more-should roll pigs just fine!Hope you had a good Anzac day!

[Streetstar]

Just get it and shoot factory spec loads out of it -- no need to shadow .458 Mag ballistics for pigs (unless they are over 500 lbs or something)

[Idiot]

Have you shot it? For some reason #3s in 45-70 seem to kick about twice as hard as other 45-70s with the same loads.....I thought it was just me, but others have commented on that as well. Nice rifle, just not an all afternoon plinker

Triple T is right on. The man who designed the Ruger #3 in 45/70 Govt. should be beaten to within an inch of his life, and then kicked in the face. The Ruger #3 in 45/70 the most miserable rifle to shoot of any rifle I've ever owned. Even with standard 45/70 loads it will jump up and bust you right in the cheek while crushing your knuckles at the same time. I'm not sure what it does to the shoulder, the other beatings were too distracting. I've owned and shot, extensively, several 375 H&H Magnums and 416 Remingtons. My elk and similar sized game rifle is a 340 Weatherby throwing 250 grain bullets at 2800 fps. These rifle kick, but they don't hold a candle to the brutality inflicted by the rotten, ill conceived, poorly designed piece of junk called the Ruger #3 in 45/70.

After finally getting rid of my #3 it was years before I'd even try to shoot another 45/70 Govt. Then an old sage by the name of Grizz convinced me it was safe to go back into the woods and suggested a Marlin 1895. I bought one cheap and took it out to shoot. The Marlin machine turned out to be a pure pleasure to shoot. I've spent entire afternoons shooting round after round at rocks of all sizes. A finer plinking rifle and load has yet to be created. I've even shot very heavy loads out of the Marlin with no problem with recoil at all. Heck, dove loads out of a 20 gauge inflict more pain than the 45/70 out of the Marlin.

The moral of the story is this, the Ruger #3 isn't worth owning even if the seller paid you $500 to take the misery stick off his hands. Walking around with a fresh pile of dog poop in your shirt pocket while someone big continues to punch you in the face would be more pleasant than owning that abomination. You savvy?

[Streetstar]

[The moral of the story is this, the Ruger #3 isn't worth owning even if the seller paid you $500 to take the misery stick off his hands. Walking around with a fresh pile of dog poop in your shirt pocket while someone big continues to punch you in the face would be more pleasant than owning that abomination. You savvy?

WOW Idiot feels pretty strong about these! i guess my only comparison is my Marlin as well. With off the shelf cartridges it recoils less than a 30-30 (is magna-ported tho) It appears that is not the case with the Ruger

[MrMurphy]

Friend of mine has killed many hogs with his No.3, he has said nothing of recoil and he's not a big guy.

[Bruce Scott]

I'd buy just because you rarely see them any more-should roll pigs just fine!Hope you had a good Anzac day!

They are not common here and of those that came, many have been made up into custom rifles.

A replacement No.1 buttstock is also an option.

Thanks for your thoughts

[Bruce Scott]

Have you shot it? For some reason #3s in 45-70 seem to kick about twice as hard as other 45-70s with the same loads.....I thought it was just me, but others have commented on that as well. Nice rifle, just not an all afternoon plinker

Triple T is right on.

The moral of the story is this, the Ruger #3 isn't worth owning even if the seller paid you $500 to take the misery stick off his hands. Walking around with a fresh pile of dog poop in your shirt pocket while someone big continues to punch you in the face would be more pleasant than owning that abomination. You savvy?

I'm beginning to get the impression that there may be a recoil issue with these.....

[Old Savage]

Apparently that affects people differently. You probably have to shoot one yourself to see.

[Swampman]

I'd have to disagree, the Ruger #3 is a great rifle and about the only Ruger I really care for. It only kicks bad if you don't know what you're doing.

[2X22]

Shoot, buy it if you like it and produce a load that makes it 'pleasant'. I am sure that it will be a great hog gun.

2x22

[Streetstar]

Old thread alert

[Hecter]

My first 45-70 was a Ruger#3 with the best looking wood any Ruger had on it. BUT IT KICKED ME TO DEATH. Sold it and bought a #1 and love it. Best not shoot any stiff loads in it.

[AJMD429]

Shoot, buy it if you like it and produce a load that makes it 'pleasant'.

Yep.

It's not like there isn't a huge spectrum of tried and proven .45-70 loads out there, and even the 'mild' ones are like little lead freight-trains when bullet meets target.

In a single-shot like that, you can use as long or heavy a bullet as you want, so consider a really heavy bullet just gently pushed out the barrel, unless you really need a 'flat' trajectory (in which case get a 7mm Rem Mag instead). Just keep shy of the twist-rate limit and watch for keyholing.

[wolfdog]

Love my #3 in 45/70. I have not found a load it does not shoot well from 300 grain JHP to 525 grain cast.
With the stouter loads, a lot of people do not want to shoot it a second time though.