Author Topic: Ruger#3 converted to M.Loader ? (Read 727 times)

oso45-70 · « **on:** September 03, 2004, 11:09:18 AM »

I have a chance to buy a ruger that has been converted to a M. loader.
Its a Ruger# and for the life of me i don't know why any one would do such a stupid thing to start with. It was one of the ones made in 1976 and it is stamped on the barrel.
Mu question is,, Can the barrel be cut and set back to get away from the
primer insert, rethreaded and rechambered. If so how much trouble would this be ? I would like to have the gun but don't want to go through a lot trouble to get it done. Gunnut if you can shed some light on this for me i would appreciate it . Thanks.....Joe...........

gunnut69 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2004, 06:56:10 AM »

I'm assuming the caliber is 45-70 and that someone installed a breech plug with a nipple for some kind of primer or cap. First are you certain there's just not a casing suck in the chamber? I know it sounds dumb but I too can't for the life of me think of a reason that rifle would have been convertedd to a muzzleloader except a damaged receiver. Check the receiver over carefully to make sure the receiver ring wasn't damaged creating a reason for convertion to a muzzle loader. It is possible to line or sleeve the rear of a chamber to remove the threads from the breech plug, assuming the threads don't go further than the length of a 45-70 chamber. It would most likely be simpler to rebarrel than to attempt to set the existing barrel back.. First though remove the breechplug and verify the condition of the bore and if there is any of the chamber that waasn't threaded... the N03 is a really nice action and would rebarrel to nearly any caliber one could ask... Adjust the price to allow a rebarrel and have fun..

oso45-70 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 04, 2004, 08:29:44 AM »

Gunnut69,
Thans for the come back, I have checked the gun over and can't find any indication that there was ever a problem with it, I think some jerk got a wild hair and decided to make a smoke pole out of it not realizing the gun wouldn't work and would be worthless after all. I will see if i can get a barrel sent and be done with it. Thanks again for your insight, Have a good day and stay safe........Joe.........

bgjohn · « **Reply #3 on:** September 04, 2004, 09:12:24 AM »

:shock: Turn around and run away as fast as you can. Let the guy eat it.
JM :?

gunnut69 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 04, 2004, 09:00:19 PM »

Don't be too hasty... If the price is right and the bores not pitted you may be able to save those barrel markings. The rear of the chamber can be bored and fitted with a press in sleeve.. The sleeve must be large enough that it's outside diameter will clean up the threads for that breech plug.. The rear of the chanber is then recut.. mainly just the rime recess.. Polish the chamber chamber and you should be back in business. Take it to a gunsmith who can tell you if the bores usable.. If it is great if not rebarrel.. I my self have a real hankerin' for a 45/120!! I know, I know...don't really need all that space but don't them cartridges look cool!! Anyway if the price is right and the barrel is saveable, you should come out OK on the deal!!

oso45-70 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2004, 09:36:15 AM »

Gunnut69.
Thank you Sir, Now to find a Gunsmith which is hard in my area, Will have to go to either Albuquerque NM or Amirillo TX, Thanks again.... Joe....

gunnut69 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2004, 08:46:27 PM »

Good luck sir. I have a friend who does great work with a lathe and mill. If he's available he would be my suggestion. I can't help right now as I'm completely buried.. I'll speak with Josh and get back if your interested?

Steelbanger · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2004, 11:57:03 PM »

My first thought is about the extractor. Is it removed or deactivated? Has it been modified to extract the percussion cap or shotshell primer? Make sure you can pick up a new extractor for whatever caliber you intend to go with. I assume that the No. 1 & No. 3 use the same extractor so they should be available.

I'd sure like to see this conversion since I've never heard of one being done but you won't see me changing my No. 1 45-70 to a muzzleloader.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2004, 09:23:34 AM »

Actually one wouldn't even need to thread the chamber to retain the breech plug. The falling block of the No.3 would easily hold the plug in place. It may be as simple as a pressed in plaace plug to hold the nipple of hole for the primer. The extractor could simply be left without a rim to grab onto and allowed to move as it wished. This would be a best case senario, allowing removal and restoration to 45-70 with nearly no work.. If the pluf were threaded into place the threads in the chamber would need to be removed and a sleeve pressed into place to allow the chamber and rim recess to be recut. This will work just fine as long as the sleeve doesn't extend past the end of the case being chambered for. I've used this technique to restore 22 rimfires with chamber rims ruined by dry firing and an incompetant repair attempt.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2004, 05:02:37 PM »

gunnut69,
I would be greatful if your friend could do something with this thing, I Just hate to loose this barrel since it is a 200 year mod. 1776 was a good year for America, Any way thats the way i feel about it. I would appreciate any
help you can give me. You can answer here or pm me, but i will be watching the Gunsmithing forum. Thank you sir........Joe..........

gunnut69 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 07, 2004, 04:56:00 AM »

Have you tried to remove the breechplug.. That would give you an idea of what's gonna be needed.. If it's just pressed in then there may not be a need for any smith!!

oso45-70 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2004, 07:10:05 AM »

gunnut69,
As near as i can tell the insert is screwed in, I used a brass rod and whacked it fairly hard and nothing moved, The man i got the gun from said
the guy he got the gun from said the insert was threaded. I have a hard time trying to figger out what was going on in this persons mind when he decided to screw up a perfectly good gun. Theres just some things that completly elude me when it comes to stupid stuff like this. I have an idea that is why he sold it to my friend who knows less about a gun than the one he got the gun from. Anyway now that i've blown off some steam lets see what can be done to fix the little #3 ruger. I guess if it takes a new barrel or sleeving it or what ever its obvious some thing must be done.
So,,, What is your suggestion ? The ball is in your court, You tell me what and i will do it, Thank you sir for taking the time to get me out of a jam.
..........Joe............

gunnut69 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2004, 08:08:30 AM »

Well if there is no obvious way to remove the breech plug such as a screw slot or a hex wrench hole or even a couple of holes for a spanner I suppose the thing to do would be to send the rifle to a smith and let him check. The breech plug has to come put. Usually they are threaded in and there is a screw slot or the hole for the primer is a bit oversized and eight sided for a hex key(wrench) to fit into..on the rear of the breec plug itself. In this case it could even be that the plug just gets knocked out.. but that didn't work. Is there a visible means of getting a wrench attached at the rear of the plug? If not I'll speak with Josh and get his address. You can ship your gun directly to a smith for repair or adjustment and he can ship it directly back to you... I see if Josh is available. He's in the NationalGuard so sometimes gets the call and leaves in a big hurry.. Surely the idiot that installed the plug provided some provision for removal for cleaning or repair... Then again he was kinda slow.. Did you check the bore? Black powder can be hard on chromoly steel..

oso45-70 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 07, 2004, 11:27:48 AM »

gunnut69,
I have give it a close going over and can't see any grooves or hex head.
The only break in the face of the insert is for the extractor. I tried again with a long brass rod to loosen the thing up to no avail. This is a job way above my capabilitys and there is no one around here that i would trust to mess with it. If Josh would give it a going over i would appreciate it very much. If we must go with a new barrel i would send him the money to take care of every thing. If you would like i will pm you my e-mail ad and then and you can send Joshs phone number and i can call him and see where we stand from there. Thanks Again sir I appreciate this very much.
I'll buy you a pink milk shake the next time i see you..........Joe.........

oso45-70 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 16, 2004, 08:28:12 AM »

Not to worry, Got rid of the contraption. Thanks for all the help.
.........Joe.............

gunnut69 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 16, 2004, 11:14:50 AM »

Sorry for not getting back sooner but Josh is very hard to reach. He is national guard and didn't want any more to do. He's been gone a lot. Probably security getting ready for the elections in a couple of months. If there was no place to get hold of the insert, how did they screw it into the chamber? Wish you hadn't gotten rid of it. I'd have liked to look at what they'd done. Oh well, sorry I wan't more help.. I've been busy as all get out. Trying to get a bit ahead so I can do a bit of hunting. I've a couple more to get out and I'm goin' to shoot a couple of squirrels for supper....Maybe this weekend.. I'm scheduled for a training session Friday nite and Saturday Morning.. After that perhaps, the squirrel woods or maybe even the bow and into the deer stand.. Somewhere anywhere it's a bit quieter!!!!