Ruger No.3 .45-70

[4fifty8]

I've loaded my No.1 .45-70 with 500gr bullets 1800 fps mv no problem.

.45-70 Ruger can be loaded to high muzzle speeds example dropped trophy Bull Elk with No.1 .45-70 & 300gr X bullet at 2600 fps mv impact speed ~2200 fps 1 shot DRT.

 

[barbarossa]

I had a Ruger no 3 in 44mag one I should never have sold

 

[450yukon]

I haven't been lucky enough to find one in 45-70 at a good price but I do have the #3's in 44mag and .375wcf.

 

[4fifty8]

• older Ruger .45-70's longer throated than newer ones noted in Speer reloading manual #12 1994
• checked 500gr in my No.3 way long throat COAL can be up to 83mm / 3.267"
• Hornady handbook 3rd edition 1981 lists 2.925" COAL likely seated at cannelure
• could go with 500gr for hunting @ 1600 fps mv in line with my .450 Marlin No.1 & BLR

 

[mkrnel]

Ruger No.3's in .45-70 are not rare, they are actually the most common and most manufactured ones. The rarer and smaller number made ones are in .375, .30-40 Krag and .22 Hornet.

Serial Numbers: Mass consumer production spanned serial number ranges starting around 130 through to 50,000. Ones below 130 are said to be pre-production development rifles/actions not sold to the public.

 

[4fifty8]

Total No.3 production estimated ~30k for the world market about 1/2 in .45-70. As new unfired ones like mine a rare find.