Ruger #3 in 45/70 gov

[Cuz]

Anyone have experience with the Ruger #3 Falling block in 45/70?
Have been 'dreaming' of going into 45/70 for some time and have found a very nice #3 FB. I am just guessing mind you, but I expect it will support smokeless, but I would prefer to go with BP in this cartridge for personal reasons. The cartridge came out BP who am I to just up and change it??

[popplecop]

Had one when they first came out.  It was a fun rifle, til I started using some heavier handloads.  Kicked like a mule. I already had some orginal old 45-70s and as long as I used those loads it was fine.  Finally went to a No. 1 for the heavy handloads.  Wish sometimes I had kept the No.3 just to play with, but alas it's long gone.  Still have my originals and No. 1 tho.

[John Traveler1]

The Ruger .45-70 single shot rifles are terrific fun!  I shoot the Number One and have shot several Number 3 rifles many times.  

Several years ago, a Canadian won the national black powder cartridge rifle long range (600-1000 yards) competition using a stock Ruger Number 3 with adjustable sights.  This was the FACTORY 22" barrel!

True, the .45-70 kicks noticeably in the carbine-style number 3, especially when using heavy 500 grain loads. The action is fully as strong as the number 1, and that can handle loads approaching .458 Winchester Magnum energy and velocity!

It should be very manageable for you using blackpowder loads.

[marlinman93]

Holy cow John! Now that's a guy who can shoot for sure! A #3 with a stock 22" barrel shooting longrange, with such a short sighting radius! Just goes to show that a great shooter can win with a good gun, without all the extra bells and whistles!

[Lone Star]

...I am just guessing mind you, but I expect it will support smokeless...

Yes, the Ruger falling blocks will support the highest pressure loads listed in loading manuals.  But the No 3 is so lightweight that it kicks terribly with hot loads.  You can expect heavy recoil with BP too - the Army even loaded a special low-recoil load for the Trapdoor Springfield carbines carried by the cavalry in the 1870s due to the objectionable recoil from the service load.  You may be happier with one of the NEF Buffalo Classic single shot rifles in .45-70, they have a long barrel and weigh about 8 pounds.  Ditto the T/C Encore rifle.  But they lack the "class" of the Ruger, IMO anyway.

[the jigger]

in my experience the ruger #3 will stand up to anything you want to feed it. the major question is whether or not you want to stand up to what a light carbine will give you?!!! i had a #3 in 45/70 in the mid seventies and loved it; however, it did not take me long to decide that i did not want to shoot 20 rounds in a session. i now have a #3 in 250/3000 ackley imp. that weighs just under 13lbs. what a joy!

[Florida Jim]

By all means, get the #3. I've had mine for quite a few years. It's my Favorite carry gun for brush hunting. It does kick like a mule though. I put a "Decelerator" Recoil pad on it. I load it with a "Nosler partition" 300gr with a bunch of IMR3031 powder. It's deadly for deer.
I would recommend you get the book "Forty years years with the 45-70" by by Paul Mathews. After reading that book, I bought my #3.
Get the Ruger!!! :agree:

[Slamfire]

The thickest recoil pad I ever saw was on a #3 in .45-70. The shop owner said the guy who put it on consignment thought it'd make a cute .458. It was still there the day the shop closed.  :roll:

[Redhawk1]

Not one think wrong with a Ruger #3 in 45-70. Great gun.