doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Ruger #3

I came across a #3 chambered in .30-40 krag today while browsing the local sale rack with an asking price of $300. The stock has been cut/refinished (which really doesn't bother me since I would like to use the action for a semi custom build) and there is some light freckling to the metal. Can an action be found cheaper than $300? Buying this gun would give me a chance to shoot a caliber I have not yet had the chance to try. I would also like to know how the members feel about the #3 action as a basis for a custom gun? I really like the Dakota action but I cant afford one so I figure the #3 is the next best thing. Best-JB

The Ruger No. 3 is probably my favorite Ruger product, even more so than the No. 1, on which it is based. I rebarreled mine from .22 Hornet to .30 cal. 32-20, and stocked it as a Schuetzen rifle. I fitted a loop pistol grip lever from a Browning BLR-81, a Moulds, Ltd. speedlock hammer and a Kepplinger single set trigger. Haven't figured out how to post photos on here yet, but if you pm me with your email address, I'll be glad to send some to you.

David
Montezuma, IA

J.B:

I don't expect you will ever find a #3 action for less than $300. Original condition #3's seem to be worth more than #1's as there is something of a collectors market.

Glenn

I have a #3 in .30-40 and I assure you that I will not sell it for $300 or even $600!
The .30-40 is similar in power to a .308.

FYI: The No. 3 did not have a quarter rib. The barrel is drilled and tapped for scope mounts. At the time when new, Redfield made the special two piece mounts for them. These mounts a not available today and it would be rare to find them. A gunsmith would have to make them from "gunsmith" mounts today and fit them to the rifle.
I have at set on my No. 3 and a 3 power scope mounted. Makes for a nice combo.

I have a similar #3 in .22 Hornet purchased in 01 to get the action ($325). It has never been taken apart because I like the look and feel of it as is. Unfortunately, accuracy is not great, I suspect the barrel which appears to have tight and loose spots. Factory scope blocks which take Ruger rings are still available and for some reason the better looking Buehler bases are fairly common NIB on fleabay. If the action finish can be easily repaired (no serious pitting or scratches) I would jump on it.

I absolutely love #3's. All of them have cost me more than $300 apiece. I buy them for the actions, have them rebarreled and stocked (English style) in nice walnut. I favor them over the #1's, strictly for appearance, and they make-up into a handsome little package. If I could figure out how to put photos on here, I'd love to share them with all you single shot fans.

Second what you guys say about #3s. One benefit is that the #3 lever, aside from looking more traditional (if you're a Yank, that is) doesn't catch on brush and clothing nearly as easily as the #1 lever. That can lead to a malfunction when you try a quick shot; lever is slightly open--no bang. Doesn't happen often, but even once with a big game animal and your morning is blighted. #3 is slightly slower to reload, tho--lever gives less leverage, so to speak.

The #3 wood isn't much, IMO. Sometimes it is decent enough wood, but the form is not very functional. The vestigial barrel band caused problems and looks like hell when you remove it, which sometimes helps accuracy. The carbine butt looks traditional but doesn't help with the recoil of the .30-40 and .45-70. And its buttplate shape makes alterations to add a fuller recoil pad kind of a nightmare. I always replaced the plastic buttplate with a steel aftermarket one (can't remember who made them, they may actually have been for the 10-22, but they were a nice little upgrade).

Cherry #3s should be left original, I believe, because they are getting rarer by the day and there are avid Ruger collectors out there. Worn or altered #3s deserve to be made into a neat custom single shot of your choice, tho. If I found one for $300 (fat chance in CA), I'd have those Benjamins out so fast they'd smoke. Hope you got, or do get, that one.

.30-40 Krag is worth testing before you re-barrel. Ruger barrels of that vintage are a crapshoot. You might find a good 'un.

The #3's are problematic, bad carbine stock, bad forend with band, I believe all three caliers had the same barel contour, I'd have little interest in owning one as is.... that said, I'd prefer the lever a hundred times over a #1. I had a Hornet for years and got it to shoot very wel. The guy I traded it to still ahs it, with #1 butt, altere forend, still shoots well.

Here is my much altered, very custom .30-40 Ruger #3 sidelever conversion in Namibia. I've been hunting with it every year for about 15.... there are a lot of pictures of this rifle in my Custom Rifles book.

IMO, the Ruger No. 3 is one of those guns that has gained "cult" statis.

Mine has the older metal butt plate and barrel band. Aluminum I think.

Does anyone know if they can be dated from the serial number or how to read the number and determine the year built?

A post about a real singleshot! Cool!