Author Topic: Ruger No.3 357max, 454casull or ??? (Read 2194 times)

Libraryhound · « **on:** February 13, 2013, 02:12:52 AM »

I have a Ruger No.3 action and want to rebarrel with a carbine length barrel (16" to 20") and a rimmed straight walled medium/big bore cartridge. I was thinking 454casull or 357max what others am I missing? I will be using it as a brush gun on deer and pigs.

curteric · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2013, 04:16:29 AM »

.445 Super Mag.

jedman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2013, 02:01:37 PM »

I am rebarreling a antique ( 1881 ) W H Davenport 12 ga. falling block shotgun into a .357 max rifle. It has been a challenging project but I decided on the .357 Max. because its a true strait wall ( carbide dies ) has about the highest velocity and lowest breech thrust of any of the powerful " pistol cartridges ". A great selection of bullets from .357 & .358 dia. and relatively flat shooting and a great range of uses being able to shoot 38 spl. 357 mag & 357 max.
Just plain and simple " What it is " Heres a pic of the gun I mentioned getting reamed today.
jedman

deer140 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2013, 01:36:16 AM »

The 357 Max is a fine choice. However the 460 Smith & Wesson is possibly a little better. You can shoot 45 colt, 454 casual and 460 Smith & Wesson. I have an encore and Ruger number three in 460 S&W really enjoy them both. Sent you mentioned the 454 casual might as well go with the 460 S&W would give you a choice between three different rounds to shoot. The same as with the 357 Max.

Libraryhound · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2013, 01:07:31 PM »

I like the 445 super mag but brass can be hard to get.
I am going to think hard about 260sm.
Jedman that is cool custom! My dream gun is a modern falling block 16ga with a paradox styled barrel.
Thanks for all the suggestions

spartacus1239 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2013, 04:32:02 AM »

I have a #3 in factory 44 mag. would LOVE to have a #3 in .357 maxi. My favorite round in my Handi and Encore rifles. very versatile round.

curteric · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2013, 08:55:11 AM »

Most of my .445 brass is head stamped 30-40 Krag.

petemi · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2013, 12:05:21 AM »

Quote from: curteric on February 15, 2013, 08:55:11 AM

Most of my .445 brass is head stamped 30-40 Krag.

A lot of mine is too.

The Maxi, .445 and .460 will all work fine for what you want to do, and are all versatile. My .45 Colt is still a .45 Colt and not a .460 only because I have the other two. If you do a lot of shooting as we do, I'd go for the Maxi. It's more efficient and economical.....more bang for the buck, lighter recoil.

My wife and I have two 16.5 inch Handi Maxis and love them. They're the most used rifles we own. The Maxi works very well from a short barrel. I have an 18.5 inch Savage 24 Maxi/20 ga. also.

The cartridges in the butt stock holder are loaded with the Hornady 180 gr. SSP over Lil' Gun for 2150 fps.

Pete

Libraryhound · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2013, 03:51:47 AM »

I was able to shoot a 444 marlin H&R. I was impressed. The recoil was manageable with heavy loads. I was under the impression that 444 marlin and 45-70 where mules on both ends. Now don't get me wrong I have seen people shoot heavy heavy loads and have the crap kicked out of them. That is one of the reasons I have stayed away from them. I am looking at the 444 marlin or 45-70gov for my re-barrel.
Libraryhound

garbler · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2013, 09:48:27 AM »

Quote from: Libraryhound on March 03, 2013, 03:51:47 AM

I was able to shoot a 444 marlin H&R. I was impressed. The recoil was manageable with heavy loads. I was under the impression that 444 marlin and 45-70 where mules on both ends. Now don't get me wrong I have seen people shoot heavy heavy loads and have the crap kicked out of them. That is one of the reasons I have stayed away from them. I am looking at the 444 marlin or 45-70gov for my re-barrel.
Libraryhound

Hi I am new here but lurking for while until I saw this post and can't help myself. Anyway I have a lovely custom Ackley built #3 chambered in 444 years ago from a brother who had a couple of Ruger single shots built by Parker back when he was alive and running his shop in Salt Lake I think. This is a very sweet piece that will go to the grave with me and will consistenly shoot 3/4" or better with most of my loads. This big straight walled case is really forgiving and pretty easy to load for performance and accuracy. Why Bill Ruger never chambered any of his single shots for this round is a mystery to me and has never been explained. I once wrote to Frank de Hass, who loved the cartridge, why this was so and he really couldn't answer the question but I would love to hear the story some day.

My gun has a fairly heavy #6 contour 25" barrel with an 18" twist — one of PO Ackley's. I will handle almost all of the jacketed bullets but really performed well with the heavier Barnes bullets that are no longer available. I should have slugged the barrel and chamberd casted and had mould made for the gun since I would love to shoot lead but maybe someday. With off the shelf lead she performs okay with 4198 or 4227 but nothing to write home about. I took a good size moose a number of years ago with the Barnes 300 grainer and blew out both shoulders and anchored her before she could take off for some really ugly wet ground. She went down so hard and so fast that by the time I cleared recoil I couldn't find her — she was down that fast.

My big game load is a full case of H-335 and one of those big Barnes' and it will flat shoot and jerk the slack out of you at the other end. But the case handles lighter more sociable loads just fine and they are easy to shoot all day from the bench. The cartridge is really a fine design that unfortunately suffers from a lack of good bullets for single shots. They are all designed for lever guns so maybe a good hard cast gas checked lead bullet is the answer. Maybe somebody here knows a source for good bullets — if there is any site that will know it would be here from what I can see. What a resource this forum is sorry I didn't find it sooner. So if you want my opinion build a 444 and don't look back.

Regards

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2013, 02:54:39 AM »

another big fan of the .444

kynardsj · « **Reply #11 on:** April 06, 2013, 03:05:19 AM »

My vote is for the 454 Casull. I never realized how powerful they were until I owned one in a rifle and reloaded for it. When a 300 gr XTP mag is running around 2000 fps the end result is awsome. Nothing on the North American continent that I would be afraid to hunt with it. On the other hand, if all you plan to use it on is deer and hogs, the 357 max will do a great job too.

jy951 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2013, 11:22:02 AM »

I'd go with 454 Casull. You can handload it you like, or there is alot of factory ammo available reasonably cheap. If for some reason you think you need more power, you can easily ream to 460 S&W.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2013, 11:58:42 AM »

44 Mag
Or what about
460 S&W and you can have the option of 460, 454 Cas and 45 Colt.
I have a No3 in 45-70 and it is a dream to tote around in the swamps.
The 405 shoot high and hte 300 grainers shoot right on the slower the bullet the higher the impact.
ther cool options could be 375 Winchester. I know these are not strait wall but also great brush gun.
30-30 Win, 30-40 Krag, or 35 Remington.

Nobade · « **Reply #14 on:** April 22, 2013, 01:04:32 PM »

500 S&W. Great entertainment and very effective on game.

geezerbiker · « **Reply #15 on:** April 22, 2013, 11:53:28 PM »

I think the .454 Casull makes the most sense. Brass is easy to come by, you could also shoot .45 Colt rounds. There are many bullets to choose from or cast your own...

Not that things like this are logical... Go for something that tickles your fancy.

Tony

Libraryhound · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2013, 03:06:52 PM »

I ended up choseing 444 Marlin. Now its a waiting game with the gunsmith. I will report and post pics once I get it back.
Thanks for all ya'lls help.
libraryhound

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #17 on:** May 12, 2013, 02:36:30 AM »

A great choice on the 444, it's an excellent round. I have one of the #3's chambered in 375 Win. and she's sweet to shoot, not quite as much snort as the 444, but very effective. DP

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #18 on:** May 12, 2013, 05:54:30 AM »

Quote from: Libraryhound on May 08, 2013, 03:06:52 PM

I ended up choseing 444 Marlin. Now its a waiting game with the gunsmith. I will report and post pics once I get it back.
Thanks for all ya'lls help.
libraryhound

You may be happeir by starting with 44 mag and then if the easy to find, multiple ammo selections of the little pistol round that is very effective out of a carbine. Shooting my 44 mag revolvers the gun is easy to control. When I put the same ammo in my 14" contender the ammo get to be wild and the recoil and speeds increase. When I shoot the same ammo out of my 99/44 Ruger carbine the ammo works well with little recoil out of the 20" barrel. Ammo for the 44 mag is easily available in all gun shops and big box stores.
Burt if you dod not like the results of the 44 Mag you can always have it reamed for the 444 Marlin. that launches the same bullets a couple hunderd feet faster that a deer will never know.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #19 on:** May 12, 2013, 06:02:54 AM »

i would go with what ever handgun i were to carry

357 max shootint 38s is a great small game load
and i carry my 357mag LCR every where

BAGTIC · « **Reply #20 on:** May 19, 2013, 03:24:29 PM »

I have Ruger SS in 357 Magnum, .357 Maximum, 45-70. My .444 is a a Browning M78. I am not fond of the #3 because of the stock design and it is not as comfortable with heavy 45-70 loads as the #1. Personally I enjoy the .357 Maximum the most. There isn't much likelihood of me drawing an elephant tag here in Missouri and the .357 Maximum will handle anything in the state, comfortably, quietly, and economically.
I put a lot more holes in paper and pine cones than T. Rex, my ego hasn't needed a boost for a looong time, and I haven't felt the need to impress anyone since I started wearing long pants..