Hmmmm - Thanks very much for this Mes.  I'm assuming yours still has the hanger and all associated bits. ?? The throughbolts are of small diameter and don't weight much.  The "weight" in the Ruger must therefore be in the barrel profile, which is an easily addressed issue if one wants to go there.  The problem that  (highlighted to me by another poster)  is struck in that the fitting of the forend to a small barrel profile is complicated because the channel need to be wide enough to accomodate the hanger and the ejector block.

Cheers - Foster

I just weighed my newly acquired Ruger #3. As issued, with just the folding rear sight and issue front, it weighs 6.0 lbs complete. It is in 45/70 caliber.

The .30/40 should not be over a half lb heavier (due to the smaller bore).

That is plenty light for me for a centerfire hunting rifle of serious caliber. That should also be financially friendly compared to most quality single shot rifles, IF you can find one in the caliber you want.

Dale53

Stevens52;
I have no illusions about recoil. However, I have a "long range" plan. I'll have a really effective recoil pad installed. I don't intend to shoot it much for fun unless I can find one of the old "collar button" moulds for 45/70. My intended hunting bullet will be from a 330 grain Gould HP mould.

Finally, I'll probably use a duplex black powder load. 10% duplex will solve the fouling problem and black powder should not be TOO bad with a light bullet.

I do know that I can load up a 500 grain bullet at 2000 fps but I have no need and definitely no interest in a load that severe in this light rifle.

After all, I am only going to use this on deer. All of my deer up to now have been with a .44 magnum revolver and it has done a stellar job. I just want to shoot at least one deer with a 45/70 before I make that trip to the Happy Hunting Grounds!

Dale53

Dale,
Elmer Keith's old load of 53 Gr. of IMR 3031 with a .060 cork wad behind the 330 Gr. Goulds is hard to beat....or beats you hard....depending on how you look at it.
Best,
Mike

Thanks mes and Dale53. The action is, then, lighter than I guessed. A nice work of casting by Ruger, given the action's bulk.   

It's been years since I owned a No. 1, so another question if I may: how wide is the forend hanger / mainspring assembly? Is this really narrower than a light barrel profile? In my mind's eye, it's less than a half inch wide.

Quote:

 
Yeah, but it shoots flat. It's not bad in a 10# rifle.
Best,
Mike
Central Va.

Thank you very much, mes, for those measurements. The width of the hanger near its base would indeed make it difficult to put a featherweight barrel on the gun, at least if the forend is to be installed from below. Using a keyhole cutter would allow for it, but that would make for some very tedious fitting work. Perhaps some metal could be removed from the hanger, esp. if the ejector is to be eliminated. This will require more study on my part. Thanks again.

Karl