I have a Ruger #3 custom wood and barrel (octagon) in 7mm-08 that does under 1/2" groups at a 100 yards (jacketed bullets).

I would like to shoot lead, so I'm considering having it cut and rechambered to something like 7mm TCU and breech-seating; OR I could trade for something in 30 caliber small chamber-ish.

A dilemma, I'd hate to part with such a good shooter, but 7-08 seems a bit over bore for Scheutzen.

I would try it the way it is. I never found large cases to be a problem, except for the safety angle(double charging possible), but I agree with Fred if you are serious about this type of shooting get a different rifle.

If you wish to be competitive in the Schuetzen game I would suggest you consider the equipment the top shooters are using.

The Ruger needs a lot of work to tune it up for Schuetzen and some argue it will still be too slow in terms of lock time and the vibrations set up by the forearm spring will always be an impediment. Rugers are great sporter rifles but there is a reason not many use them for the Schuetzen game. You would be better to sell your good performing Ruger and investing the cash in a custom rifle that meets your needs.

I suggest you select a Miller deHaas, a Yost, a Perigirine, a Hoch or a Hall action to mount a RKS gain twist barrel on. These falling block actions have fast lock times. Or you can go the route of customizing a Winchester Highwall to improve the trigger, speed up the lock time, and convert the firing pin with a Neidner firing pin and stabilize the stock with a through bolt conversion, install a set trigger and a forearm hanger etc. (if you have a lot of money and patience and can find a good gunsmith willing to do all of the necessary conversions. 

I believe over 95% of schuetzen competitors are using a 32 caliber in the 200 to 235 grain range and with twists of 1:14 to 1:11.5. Of course many argue the heavier bullets with tighter twists perform better in the wind.

I would definitely suggest you build yourself a custom rifle if you are serious about Schuetzen.

When tooling up for a new shooting style, a good way to go is to hang out, go to some of the bigger matches.

Doing so will get you exposed to new people that have a lot of gear and get you introduced to the gunsmiths of that group.

It won't be long and you will get to find a lot of gear that for one reason or another will be up for sell.

You can save a lot of money this way and have gear that is easier to sell when that time comes if you are careful. 

Just my two cents.

Cat_Whisperer wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2007 at 4:00pm:


That is a near-perfect example of a rifle that IMO, should you have the misfortune to get rid of it, you would regret and rue the loss for the rest of your life.

Been there, done that, 'cause I was young & dumb. Please don't make the same mistake, sell something else if you hafta but don't let a good shooter get away (unless you give it to a friend, of course)!
Regards, Joe

What price for the Ruger #3 if you decide to sell? Any pictures?
r3727

Well, since the rifle is accurate as it is with jacketed bullets, breach seating is in order.   

Selling is a MOST difficult decision; not in the cards this year.

Even rechambering it would take till at least October around here.

The trigger was done by the former owner, although I have had a Canjar trigger on another that I liked VERY much.   

Building or trading for something seem to be the realistic options

Hey, Cat,   

     First, let me say how happy I was glad to see you and your shooting partner Dale show up and shoot at Brushy Mtn.  As you saw, once bitten, forever smitten, it seems.  I would suggest you make haste slowly as far as selling favorite old pieces goes...I let a plain sporter high-wall and a basic 44 1/2 Stevens get away from me because I thought I wanted to get a competitive rifle right away.  Five years later I was still chasing and building, and would have loved to have both of them back!

     That big blaster you used here will be much more manageable if you hang the biggest, heaviest scope you can find on top of it and down load some rounds equivalent to the target 45-70.  As I recall, you are also in the midst of building something that will also be competitive...not on a "national" level, perhaps, but fun to get started with.  As others have said, you can order something from Ballard Rifle, CPA, or others as you decide what it is you really want to shoot long term.  If you go to many of the matches, there will be some rifles for sale at many of them as well.  I do know of people who have died waiting for that "perfect" rifle everyone said they should order while they could have been enjoying shooting a "lesser" rifle.

     I guess what I am saying is that you can spend a lot of time and money chasing the right rifle without a real plan for what you want to catch in the end.  I know I did.  Do some shooting at matches with what you have and are already building and have fun.  You will then be able to decide what you really want to go after rather than what everyone else tells you is what you need.  Stay in touch.

Froggie

PS  I guess I've been in a more introspective mood while I was writing this, and those who know me well will say it's a case of saying, "do as I say, not as I did."  As with all advice, it's worth at least what you pay for it, but that's my take on it this morning.  YMMV