Author Topic: new H&R 45LC Classic Carbine vs used Ruger #3 (Read 2984 times)

lctrcjim · « **on:** January 24, 2010, 08:20:02 PM »

I know this is a case of apples vs oranges, but, any H&R owners out there own or ever own a Ruger #3?
A used Ruger is still approx twice the price of a new H&R - are they twice the gun?

?
Any thoughts, advice, input would be appreciated - thanks!!!

Spanky · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2010, 09:26:46 PM »

I don't know if I'd say they're twice the gun but #3's are real nice rifles. I like the look of them better than the #1.
I'd like to have a #3 in 30-40 Krag.

Spanky

wreckhog · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2010, 02:42:29 AM »

Rugers can handle heavier loads.

ham7777 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2010, 02:53:24 AM »

I have had two #3(22H) over the years and they shot great could do a 3 shot group almost one hole at a 100 yards with hand loads. They are both long gone now,we had a 157 Hornet at home that shot just as well,my brother has it now.
I just bought a 158 off Gun Broker,but have not gotten to shoot it yet. I paid 247 for it with a 6X scope I never heard of,but seems nice and clear.
I think a #3 alone would be 600 to 800. I would love to have them both back and a 45-70-,44mag. and of course a 30-40. I have a CC 45LC but have not shot if beyond 25 yards yet.

Later Tom

gcrank1 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2010, 03:20:04 AM »

Someday I'll have another one I suppose, but meanwhile I have 3 H&Rs and a swap barrel maybe growing into #4 as a complete rifle. All fun, all different.

GrampaMike · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2010, 03:40:59 AM »

I have more than 30+ H&R/NEF rifles, (a real bad case of handi-holic-ism). BUT, if I could only have 1 rifle, it would be my Ruger #3 in 45-70 w/leupold 2.5x scope. It knocks you silly when you fire it but I have only ever used it for hunting. It has never missed and never failed to be DRT. I have some Ruger#1s too, but my #3 is the best.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2010, 09:00:00 AM »

Quote from: wreckhog on January 25, 2010, 02:42:29 AM

Rugers can handle heavier loads.

Not true a handie can handle any load the Ruger can. I can't thou.

moorepower · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2010, 12:55:48 PM »

The Handi can't digest the Ruger load level very long, not safely. You do not need Ruger level loads in North America, as the Marlin Guide guns have shown in Alaska.

Swampman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2010, 01:01:50 PM »

Point in case I have 2 Handi Rifles with scopes & 2 Pardners I'd trade for a clean #3 in .30-40 or .45-70.

I've owned both.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2010, 01:44:52 PM »

Quote from: moorepower on January 25, 2010, 12:55:48 PM

The Handi can't digest the Ruger load level very long, not safely. You do not need Ruger level loads in North America, as the Marlin Guide guns have shown in Alaska.

You do realize he is talking .45 Long Colt and not .45-70? The handi can handle 500 S&W loads, I think it can handle any .45 LC loads you can safely shoot in any Ruger.

Swampman · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2010, 02:03:57 PM »

Was the #3 ever chambered in .45 Colt?

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2010, 02:11:56 PM »

That I don't know Swampman, makes me wonder if the original poster really ment .45-70.

Tallwalker · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2010, 02:30:25 PM »

I am pretty sure Ruger never chambered a No.3, or No. 1 in .45 Colt. They did make some .357's, and .44 Mags though.

S.E.Ak · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2010, 02:30:57 PM »

I have the #3 in 45/70 for brown bear and moose. I have a 45colt BC for everything else over a hundred pounds and an H&R 22Hornet for the critters. Quaility goes to the Ruger but for the money the H&R is a lot of bang for the buck. If I ever get the 45colt rechambered for 454 or 460 the moose will be added to the list

lctrcjim · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2010, 03:34:38 PM »

Guys, to clear up any misunderstandings I may have created by not being more specific in my original post..........

I'm looking to buy my wife a rifle. She wants an 'old-timey' 'cowboy' looking rifle & I want to find her something in a caliber that's not going to beat her to death every time she shoots it - she doesn't want a lever action "we already have one of those" so I thought a single shot might be cool.........I've been poking around on the internet seeing what's out there that might fit the bill & my two choices have come down to the H&R 45 Colt Classic Carbine or a used Ruger #3 in 44 magnum.............leaving aside pro's & con's of the cartridges themselves, I was just looking for user & owner info & feedback on the two rifles themselves - if you guys thought the Ruger was worth a few hundred dollars more than the H&R............

as it so happens, I have a line on a used #3 in 44 magnum - I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out - that's Plan A - if I can't buy it, Plan B will be getting her the H&R & maybe getting a 44 mag or 30-30 barrel for it......

And, even if I do buy the Ruger, that little H&R looks so darned cool, I'm gonna start saving my nickles & dimes and will probably get one some time later this year.

Thanks for all your help & advice & comments & info!!!

wreckhog · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2010, 04:26:36 PM »

Never shot a #3. I consider the .45LC BC to be the lightest and best balanced centerfire Handi. Ammo is a bit underpowered/$ unless you reload. Cowboy? I'd buy a 16" Rossi lever in .357. Got one and it is lighter and better balanced than the .45LC BC if you can believe it. I'd also ask if any of these rifles actually fit your wife?

S.E.Ak · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2010, 07:04:01 PM »

If you can get the #3 for $600.00 or less get it. Of course then you need to make a 444 out of it

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2010, 11:47:19 PM »

For your stated purpose the .45 carbine would be most excellent.

moorepower · « **Reply #18 on:** January 26, 2010, 06:50:02 AM »

I don't think you could go wrong with either. A Ruger #3 will keep going up in value, if you can swing it.

lctrcjim · « **Reply #19 on:** February 04, 2010, 04:28:41 PM »

guys, thanks for all your comments & thoughts & help & advice!!! I found a ruger #3 in 44 magnum & it's on the way.............but, after careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that the correct answer to my original question is that I actually need one of each - so, I'm saving my nickels & dimes & am going to be buying an H&R 45 Colt Carbine some time in the next few months - thanks!!!

manatee1947 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 04, 2010, 04:37:06 PM »

They are still making Handi's, Rugers are gone.

S.E.Ak · « **Reply #21 on:** February 04, 2010, 06:33:49 PM »

You you twist my arm and say please I'll trade you my 45colt BC for the beater #3

Big Blue · « **Reply #22 on:** February 06, 2010, 03:38:03 AM »

Now here's a real coincidence. When I went to my gun shop yesterday to pick up my new BC carbine, I looked around a bit and there in the rack was a used #3 in 45/70. Very nicely balanced rifle and nowhere near the weight of the #1s. He was asking $685, but unfortunately my wallet was already empty.
Don

tallyho · « **Reply #23 on:** February 06, 2010, 08:09:48 AM »

Quote from: lctrcjim on February 04, 2010, 04:28:41 PM

guys, thanks for all your comments & thoughts & help & advice!!! I found a ruger #3 in 44 magnum & it's on the way.............but, after careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that the correct answer to my original question is that I actually need one of each - so, I'm saving my nickels & dimes & am going to be buying an H&R 45 Colt Carbine some time in the next few months - thanks!!!

[img width= height= alt=" border="0]http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif[/img] [img width= height= alt=" border="0]http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif[/img] [img width= height= alt=" border="0]http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif[/img] Yup you have found the answer! One of each!

mike@nds · « **Reply #24 on:** February 06, 2010, 10:27:45 AM »

From the Ruger website:

No. 3 Single-Shot Rifle
(Manufactured from 1973 to 1986)
Calibers: .22 Hornet, .223, .30-40 Krag, .375 Win., .44 Mag., .45-70 Gov't

I've got one in .22 Hornet, it shoots into a dime at 100 yards w/factory Winchester 45gr. HP. Got it about 6 years ago for $400.

I found another Hornet for my buddy last year for $375. It was in way better shape than mine.

My Handi covers the "need", but I'm trying to resist the urge to rebarrel or rebore it to .357 Max.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #25 on:** February 06, 2010, 12:47:58 PM »

IMHO it's not TWICE the gun but it is a nice rifle. I have heard some sad stories from people who have a #3 in .45-70. It seems that there is something about the stock design that make it really want to transfer that recoil in a bad way. I doubt you'll have that problem with the .44. That should make you wife a nice little rifle that will hold it's value well.

BE sure to post your results after you get it.

Frank V · « **Reply #26 on:** February 06, 2010, 01:02:21 PM »

I have had Ruger #3s & they were a very good rifle, they can handle loads that are very heavy ( they are a modified #1) They are bringing huge ammounts now as collectors like them. I think they are a very classy rifle I had one in .30-40 Kraig & one in .223 I wish I hadn't traded them. I think you will like them. Are they twice the rifle? That's probably in the eye of the owner, I think so.
Frank

S.E.Ak · « **Reply #27 on:** February 06, 2010, 02:26:30 PM »

All parts from the #1 and #3 will interchange. When new there was a fair price difference but now they bring about the same money, Many have put a #1 stock on the #3 and call it a #2 but Rugers vission of the #2 was the finest of them all

dw06 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 06, 2010, 02:46:34 PM »

Quote from: tallyho on February 06, 2010, 08:09:48 AM

Quote from: lctrcjim on February 04, 2010, 04:28:41 PM
guys, thanks for all your comments & thoughts & help & advice!!! I found a ruger #3 in 44 magnum & it's on the way.............but, after careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that the correct answer to my original question is that I actually need one of each - so, I'm saving my nickels & dimes & am going to be buying an H&R 45 Colt Carbine some time in the next few months - thanks!!!

[img width= height= alt=" border="0]http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif[/img] [img width= height= alt=" border="0]http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif[/img] [img width= height= alt=" border="0]http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/Themes/babylon/images/post/thumbup.gif[/img] Yup you have found the answer! One of each!

Man you guys are slipping, $:-\$ I thought for sure someone would of told him, you need both!!