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Post by magnumwheelman on Nov 4, 2022 10:10:03 GMT -5
so I have a Ruger #3 that is already currently not stock ( I bought it as a 22-250... a long range cartridge on a short handy carbine seems like a miss match ) I had posted a thread a month or so ago, about the feasibility of making it into a 480 Ruger... I have a rifle length .475" Pac-Nor barrel, that I bought several years ago, & that has now been rough profiled, to cut down on some of the high dollar gunsmith time... I'm thinking a 20"... since this is a single shot, with the chamber actually cut into the barrel, this should be a "short" light carbine... I'm wanting to have this as a companion gun for my Super Blackhawk in 480, & since that is a pistol cartridge, the #3 will likely be used in 125 yards & less... now I just need to decide, do I scope it, ( it currently wears a scope, & it kind of hinders loading with how it hangs past the breech, or keeping with the short light carbine thoughts, I may just put a full set of fiber optic sights on it... I'm getting older, & even my Super Blackhawk has a red dot on it... so I could do that as well on the carbine, since the receiver is already tapped... but I've been thinking a set of Williams Fire-sights, with the rear sight on the rear ring location ( giving me the longest possible sight radius ) & perhaps some plug screws in the front ring location, would keep things smaller & lighter, & not require any batteries... Finish thoughts??? the receiver has turned "plum", so at best, it's going to be 2 toned, if the barrel is blued, unless the receiver gets re-blued at the same time... since it's counterpart is a stainless revolver, I've been considering doing a silver coating on everything, once the machine work is completed... the revolver has a set of Zane's grips on it... the stock of the rifle actually matches the revolver grips quite nicely, however it's got that thick glossy finish, & several handling marks / scratches on it, so if I had the stock refinished in a finish, like Zane put on the revolver grips, it would further the matched look... my 480 revolver with the Bisley grips & red Dot sight... Ruger #3 project rifle... ( Simmons scope came on the rifle, when I bought it ) thoughts on sighting systems, & finish color appreciated
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Post by magnumwheelman on Nov 4, 2022 10:29:22 GMT -5
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Post by potatojudge on Nov 4, 2022 10:43:54 GMT -5
I'd probably go 16-18 inches on the barrel, but 20 inches is still a relatively short gun. Big bores do well with short barrels. I'd also go for a light barrel profile. I have big bore rifles with heavy and lighter profiles, and the lighter ones carry much better. For me, rifles without scopes almost never get hunted with. If you want this carbine to do something that revolver can't do, it'll need good optics. You could consider a Skinner rail with rear peep sight then use a QD mount with your scope. Dovetail or screw on front sight and you're set, or do a Nimrod style front sight/band arrangement. Best of all worlds, except expense and a little bulk. www.skinnersights.com/scope_mounts_31.htmlWith a scope, you want to minimize needing to reach in the breech. A modified safety helps cases eject without getting hung up. You can modify the factory safety or buy this: www.legendaryactionworks.com/Ruger-No-1-Safety-p/rug1.htmFor finish I think all blue (or blue and plum in this case) still looks the best on a No 1/3. Lots of these are rebarreled with stainless and they always look a little meh. You could spend more on the fancier versions of all this, like Recknagel swing mounts and some Turnbull finishing, but the above is practical and relatively economical.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Nov 4, 2022 10:52:51 GMT -5
I have been thinking about 18" for the barrel length, but think that will look really short in this style of rifle... ( if anyone has pictures of 16" #1 or #3's I'd like to see them )... & Thanks... I've not seen one of those safeties, & not shot the rifle enough to know about that problem ( although I expect a rimmed cartridge increases the issue, & it might not be readily visible in the 22-250 chambering, like it would a factory 45-70, or this in 480 )
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Post by bisleyfan41 on Nov 4, 2022 11:31:58 GMT -5
Ok, I realize I'm probably in the vast minority with this and will probably be thrown off the site for saying it. I've never understood the draw of a matching rifle and handgun. Do you carry them at the same time and they have to match each other, like your hat and shoes when you go to town?
I guess the idea had merit 150 years ago when having your Winchester and SAA chamber the same ammo made sense, when you had to carry it around in a saddle pack and you only owned 2 guns. I guess. I don't know. There's no right or wrong.
In the past I've happily paid a premium for Rugers that had a vibrant plum color. The plummer, the better! To others, the plum is an unsightly factory mistake that must be fixed. To each their own.
My opinion doesn't mean anything, but since you put it out there. I'd keep the plum receiver, add the barrel at whatever length suits you, live with whatever bluing color difference there happens to be as a result, and put whatever sighting system will allow YOU to shoot to the best of your abilities with that rifle. Even if it is sacrilege to put a modern scope on this classic design. Form follows function.
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Post by bigbrowndog on Nov 4, 2022 11:37:02 GMT -5
A small reflex sight like a FastFire or Burris RT1 would make a nice handy and quick sight, and plenty accurate out to 150. A CCH receiver would look nice with a blued barrel, look at some of the old single shot stalking rifles for inspiration. Trapr
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Post by Encore64 on Nov 4, 2022 11:42:17 GMT -5
Well, there can be no downside to this project. But, I always recommend the Weaver Style Slotted Mount.
That way, as we age, scopes, red dots, peep sights, etc can be mounted without changing the base.
Age changes us mentally and physically. So, best to be ready to adapt.
I'd think a TC Encore Base would be just about right for that barrel contour...
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Post by magnumwheelman on Nov 4, 2022 11:57:03 GMT -5
Well... "bisley41" I asked for your opinion to which I answer... because I can ( I have a big enough collection, that cartridges overlap between some rifles, & some handguns ( used to do a lot of CASS shooting, where it was really nice to have one box of cartridges to load both 6 guns & the rifle... ( it wasn't necessary... I used to shoot against another guy's wife, she had the hand-me-downs, 2 different revolvers, different barrel lengths, different chamberings, & when I 1st started, she could still out-shoot me with my 3- 45 Colts... If I'm going hunting, say Alaska, it could be nice to have a revolver & rifle in the same caliber, requires less ammo to travel with... since I'm making these hunting sets, if custom work is required, & in this case, it's probably about the same cost, to match them up... when it comes time to sell them perhaps they would be worth more, as a matched set??? BTW... in my previous thread about the feasibility, I asked about the plum color, & I don't think anyone thought the gun would be worth more, or be "better" leaving it that color... been deer hunting many times, where I carried 2 guns, of different calibers, & with different finishes, it did not effect the outcome of the hunt, but when it comes to custom stuff, & with the price firearms have reached the last several years... why not???
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Post by Encore64 on Nov 4, 2022 12:42:39 GMT -5
I'd say 99% of custom guns are built to suit what the custom wants. The remaining 1% may be built because it's needed.
I always marched to my own tune and think others should. "Because I want it" or "Because I can" are the only two acceptable reasons for customs.
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Post by bisleyfan41 on Nov 4, 2022 13:36:45 GMT -5
Well... "bisley41" I asked for your opinion to which I answer... because I can ( I have a big enough collection, that cartridges overlap between some rifles, & some handguns ( used to do a lot of CASS shooting, where it was really nice to have one box of cartridges to load both 6 guns & the rifle... ( it wasn't necessary... I used to shoot against another guy's wife, she had the hand-me-downs, 2 different revolvers, different barrel lengths, different chamberings, & when I 1st started, she could still out-shoot me with my 3- 45 Colts... If I'm going hunting, say Alaska, it could be nice to have a revolver & rifle in the same caliber, requires less ammo to travel with... since I'm making these hunting sets, if custom work is required, & in this case, it's probably about the same cost, to match them up... when it comes time to sell them perhaps they would be worth more, as a matched set??? BTW... in my previous thread about the feasibility, I asked about the plum color, & I don't think anyone thought the gun would be worth more, or be "better" leaving it that color... been deer hunting many times, where I carried 2 guns, of different calibers, & with different finishes, it did not effect the outcome of the hunt, but when it comes to custom stuff, & with the price firearms have reached the last several years... why not??? And that's fine. We all have different tastes. I love the plum finish, many do not. I pretty much only hunt deer with a handgun so I never carry a rifle with me. For me, it's one more thing to tote around. In your scenario, it makes sense. Theoretically, it's nice to have one load feed both revolver and rifle, but I've never had much luck finding a load that shoots well in multiple guns. A load that does great at 25-50 yds in a Blackhawk that also shoots well enough in a rifle at 100+ yds. Could be my lack of luck with these things in general. I am far from an expert. I'm certain the rifle will turn out great whatever you decide. And I look forward to the pics.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Nov 15, 2022 10:00:58 GMT -5
so... I've been accumulating parts, prior to taking the rifle in for starting... I have decided to go with an 18" barrel, with a medium profile and a NECG banded front ramp sight base, with interchangeable front sights, & starting with a red fiber optic insert... & fiber optic acceptable hood , And a Williams rear sight base, with their fiber optic ghost ring rear sight, & adding a Pachmayer Old English "grind to fit" recoil pad, which will replace the factory plastic butt pad... I will get the stock & forearm refinished in gloss to match my Bisley grip on my Super Blackhawk... the rifle will be Duracoated in stainless silver, except for the safety button, & the trigger, which will be black... & thanks to the link, a Legendary Action Works #1 safety button will be installed, to avoid the case rims, from getting hung up on the safety button... & of course the 475 Ruger chambering will be stamped at the base of the barrel... should look like a new gun, when it comes back, in about a year... for what it's worth, I did consider Williams "Ace in the hole" rear sight base, that would take the fiber optic ghost ring rear sights, that I really like, as well as incorporating a Picatinny scope base... but I'm trying to keep this "minimalist" & generally not a fan of unused Picatinny bases ( just too many rough or sharper edges )
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Post by magnumwheelman on Nov 16, 2022 9:03:03 GMT -5
... for what it's worth I'm still considering the "Ace in the Hole" rear sight base... the outer corners are smoothed to cut down on the sharp edges... thinking I'm going to order one, before the gun goes to the machinist to get a look at it on the rifle... I can still install the Fiber Optic Ghost ring rear sight I like, on the "Ace in the Hole" base, & get the best of both worlds, as long as the "Ace" base looks ok on the rifle... maybe if that base is Duracoated to match the rifle in silver??? www.amazon.com/Williams-Hole-Sight-Picatinny-Ruger/dp/B00SUECKYCif I decide to go that route, I'll probably install one of the Leopold Tube carbine red dots, like my BFR's wear... I'm really liking those sights... & old eyes ya know
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,622
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Post by jeffh on Nov 16, 2022 9:36:30 GMT -5
Ok, I realize I'm probably in the vast minority with this and will probably be thrown off the site for saying it. I've never understood the draw of a matching rifle and handgun.............. I get that, and I see the sound logic in it.
I see a handgun as a supplement to a rifle or alternate where a rifle is impractical to carry and appreciate the distinct advantages of a rifle over a handgun,... and vice-versa. Personal circumstances, geography, etc. make this ideal not as necessary for me.
That said a handgun in a handgun caliber and a rifle in a real rifle caliber is a very versatile and practical match one could hardly go wrong with.
BUT, my most-used handgun is a 357 revolver. My most-used rifle is a 357 carbine. The pair are not ideal for most situations, but there is an optimum combination of compromises with the pair, which covers 98% of my actual NEEDS pretty darned well. Happily, it covers 99% of my WANTS too.
The simplification of components and tooling is a plus if you're working in limited space and/or on a limited budget. I won't make a 400 yard shot on a coyote with either, but that requirement only arises every several years, and there's a 223 standing ready for that. Either may be a bit much for small game, unless you cast and handload, which I think many here do. The carbine is effective for up to deer, and is actually legal to use here. I've not shot a deer past 125 yards anyway and probably wouldn't take a shot beyond that - just the way I have always hunted.
Having redesigned my own personal battery around the odds of needing something ideal for an unlikely situation, I've looked at the most likely situations and focused on what works for them. It has been a major "declutter" project and is quite liberating.
To be perfectly honest, the vast majority of my shooting is for entertainment anyway, and I am greatly entertained shooting the less-powerful, less-perfect rifles these days. The flexibility is wide, though does not offer 100% coverage, which is ok for me. The economy is a boon. The simplification is wonderful. The challenge is all sorts of fun and to be boringly pragmatic about it, it really does cover 98% of my firearm NEEDS.
Not for everyone, so no, not everyone will see it in the same light. I'm always glad to have the opportunity to explain all this, because, NO, you're not missing anything. If it doesn't make sense TO you, it probably doesn't make sense FOR you. All the same, if you get bored, try it sometime. You'll have some fun if nothing else.
I DO still keep a shotgun and a center-fire rifle (or two...), because there's always that 2%. Those are set up to do what they do and they do it well, but I rarely need to use them. My wants have metamorphosed somewhat parallel to my needs, so I'm not as interested in the other stuff any more either. My best friend,... he likes to build elephant rifles (and handguns), but he and I both know he'll never shoot at an elephant, but we don't talk about that. We both have our fun though, and we both have what we need too.
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Post by magnumwheelman on Nov 16, 2022 13:48:29 GMT -5
Thinking about adding an Ebony Schnabel fore end tip in the place of the barrel band groove on the factory fore end, & eliminating the barrel band
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,622
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Post by jeffh on Nov 16, 2022 20:45:16 GMT -5
Thinking about adding an Ebony Schnabel fore end tip in the place of the barrel band groove on the factory fore end, & eliminating the barrel band
That, and a black recoil pad or butt plate would be a classy, very but conservative accent - not over-done.
Another nice feature would be a regular (black) butt plate or recoil pad. I never thought of a way to do that on a No.3 without buying a new butt-stock.
I wanted to rechamber mine for years, and couldn't make up my mind to what. It was a 223, but shot so well, I couldn't mess with it. I wanted another 257 Roberts or 6.5x55, but if I still had it, I think I'd do a 357 Mag, Max or 30/30.
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