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Double Rifles, Single Shots & Combinations >> Single Shots & Combination Guns
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Grenadier
.375 member


Reged: 20/02/08
Posts: 570
Loc: North of the Columbia, USA
The Ruger No.3 Goes Retro to Become .375 FL NE 2-1/2"
      #257009 - 20/11/14 11:49 AM

I had my Ruger No.3 re-chambered. It originally was a .375 Winchester but it now shoots .375FL NE 2-1/2".



Also, had the lever modified and rust blued. Then I stuck it in Ruger No.1 wood. Put an 8.5 ounce scope on it and now it weighs about 7 lbs.



I zeroed the scope today. This was the last group. After firing I dialed it left enough to where it should now be centered.

It ended up being short, light, big enough for elk and really sweet to shoot. With the 22" barrel it makes a handy carbine.



FYI - Jim Dubel of Delta Gun Shop did the re-chambering and lever modification. I am very happy with his work.

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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26488
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: The Ruger No.3 Goes Retro to Become .375 FL NE 2-1/2" [Re: Grenadier]
      #257011 - 20/11/14 12:42 PM

Well done!!
What are the ballistics?

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Rockdoc
.400 member


Reged: 07/12/06
Posts: 1212
Loc: NSW, Australia
Re: The Ruger No.3 Goes Retro to Become .375 FL NE 2-1/2" [Re: DarylS]
      #257012 - 20/11/14 12:45 PM

Looks great.

I too am interested in the ballistics.

What mounts did you use?

Cheers,

Chris

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Iowa_303s
.400 member


Reged: 22/03/13
Posts: 1014
Loc: Iowa, USA
Re: The Ruger No.3 Goes Retro to Become .375 FL NE 2-1/2" [Re: Rockdoc]
      #257013 - 20/11/14 01:00 PM

Well done Grenadier!
I too think the .375 flanged N.E. would make a fine deer/elk round.

--------------------
Matt

formerly known as Iowa_303

"Once your reputation is ruined you can live your life quite freely."

"Enkelkinder über alles"

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tinker
.416 member


Reged: 12/03/05
Posts: 4835
Loc: Nevada
Re: The Ruger No.3 Goes Retro to Become .375 FL NE 2-1/2" [Re: Iowa_303s]
      #257014 - 20/11/14 01:37 PM

Nice!

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Grenadier
.375 member


Reged: 20/02/08
Posts: 570
Loc: North of the Columbia, USA
Re: The Ruger No.3 Goes Retro to Become .375 FL NE 2-1/2" [Re: tinker]
      #257015 - 20/11/14 01:52 PM

Rockdoc - Weaver bases, rings, and scope. Thought I would keep it consistent. I can still see and use the metallic sights over the weaver bases if need be. Not the best glass, that's for sure. But more than adequate for 1-3x and I wanted to keep it lightweight.

Compare:
A 375FL NE 270 gr bullet at 2200 ft/s = 2900 ft-lbs energy
A .358 Win 250 gr bullet at 2200 ft/s = 2687 ft-lbs energy

Ballistics from a post a long time ago:

Load data from "British Single Shot Rifles, Vol. 5" by Wal Winfer
Quote:

235gr Jacketed Bullet, 49gr 4064, LR primer, 2,200fps
235gr Jacketed Bullet, 51gr 4064, LR primer, 2,300fps
270gr Jacketed Bullet, 46gr 4064, LR primer, 2,050fps
270gr Jacketed Bullet, 47gr 4895, LR primer, 2,200fps

He cautions: MODERN LOADS - Strong New Brass only!! Do not use old black powder or light nitro cases!! Use these at your own risk! He says, "We found that a velocity of about 2,000fps was required for double rifle loads".



This is from "Shooting The British Double Rifle, 3rd Edition" by Graeme Wright. Graeme's book also provides pressure data and some interesting insight on this, cartridge.
Quote:

Original Ballistics:
270gr Bullet, 40gr Cordite, 1975fps, 25" barrel
270gr Bullet, 40gr Cordite, 2050fps, 30" barrel
320gr Bullet, 40gr Cordite, 2000fps, 30" barrel

Bertam cases
Load 1, 270gr soft point, 46gr Varget (AR2208), Fed 210 primer, 2112 fps, 26" barrel
Load 2, 270gr soft point, 50gr Varget (AR2208), Fed 210 primer, 2230 fps, 26" barrel

Bertam cases
Load 1, 235gr soft point, 49.5gr Varget (AR2208), Fed 210 primer, 2242 fps, 26" barrel



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DoubleD
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Reged: 23/11/03
Posts: 2392
Loc: Retired in Oklahoma
Re: The Ruger No.3 Goes Retro to Become .375 FL NE 2-1/2" [Re: Grenadier]
      #257016 - 20/11/14 03:45 PM

If you are going to use this rifle for deer hunting I would look to the lighter weight and constructed bullets designed for the .375 Winchester. The heavier bullets for the H&H will not expand at the lesser velocities of the cartridge. They will "pencil" right through deer size game.

I say this from personal first hand experience-2 deer and a coyote. The animals did die, but not before traveling a long long way. Thank goodness for the open stubble fields of Montana. I was able to see the animals run away and lay down. There was no blood trail to follow. I had to walk and stalk to do finishers as all three animals-lung shot, were still alive.

--------------------
DD, Ret.

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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26488
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: The Ruger No.3 Goes Retro to Become .375 FL NE 2-1/2" [Re: DoubleD]
      #257026 - 21/11/14 04:20 AM

If you can get it to work, the 220gr. Hornady FN (small FN) is a VERY accurate bullet that works perfectly from 1,900fps up to 2,200fps. Above that speed, I do not know.

I was only pushing them at 1,940fps (42gr. H335) from a .375 Winchester M94 - 1st both shoulders (blade and blade) and under the hide far side. The second moose, bullet hit 3rd rib up, angled through the right lung, through the shoulder blade and under the hide off side.

Beautiful penetration and both bullets were perfectly expanded. Both moose were 90 to 110yards distance.

Barnes still sells the Old Style 255gr. in both .375" and 378" as well, IIRC.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Grenadier
.375 member


Reged: 20/02/08
Posts: 570
Loc: North of the Columbia, USA
Re: The Ruger No.3 Goes Retro to Become .375 FL NE 2-1/2" [Re: DarylS]
      #257029 - 21/11/14 05:13 AM

Thanks for the performance report of the Hornady 220gr.

I have:

220gr Hornady Flat Nose, Hornady lists "Temporarily Suspended", 1 box of 100
270gr Hornady Spire Point, 1 box of 50
270gr Hornady Round Nose Soft Points (discontinued), 1 box of 50
300gr Winchester Silvertips, old style rounded bullets, 2 boxes of 50


The old Silvertips had and a reputation for opening too easily in 375H&H. I am hoping to get those up to 2000fps in the 22" barreled Ruger but I probably won't hunt with them. They might be fun to try out on a hog just to see what they do.

FWIW, this will be my new little carbine. I am replacing my .243 cal BLR. Shot an antelope and a deer with that and it was adequate. Penetration was more than needed and it went straight through the deer at 75yds. But I've grown to appreciate bigger, slower bullets.

--------------------
~

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Sarg
.400 member


Reged: 20/01/07
Posts: 1365
Loc: Nil
Re: The Ruger No.3 Goes Retro to Become .375 FL NE 2-1/2" [Re: DarylS]
      #257031 - 21/11/14 05:24 AM

Yes the 375EX 2-1/2in seems like it has a heap of power for animals under Buff, even then with good shot placement & bullets it would work on them to .

I don't think those Westley Richards cartridges would fit in my Lee Speed 375Ex's mag by the looks of that bullet loaded in them, nor my Styer 375EX clip (when I get hold of it) ?

If I could get those Barnes Originals in .378 here I would give them a shot in my Speeder's worn barrel, Hornady 270's tumble, but the Wooleighs shoot point on .

Good luck with her !

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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26488
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: The Ruger No.3 Goes Retro to Become .375 FL NE 2-1/2" [Re: Sarg]
      #257063 - 22/11/14 04:43 AM

I would use the SilverTips - IF the tip of the bullet was cut off and the end hollow pointed with a center-drill, easily done on a little lathe. Stop the tail-stock feed when the forward angle on the center-drill touches the jacket - then every one will be exactly (within reason) the same weight. This worked for me on the 270 RN's I tested in my .375Win. M94. The bullet smashed the left top of the leg bone, angled forward into and stopped in the paunch. It was a bad shot by me, offhand at about 100yards, maybe 90, aiming for a centre shot to go right up the spine. The moose went right down at the shot but got up and buggered off with the cow. About 400yards later, he was moving very slowly, limping & I sacked him with the 220gr. through the 3rd rib and up through the right lung and blade. The 220's do work and deserve a test.

The weight should come out at 280 or so, grains and at 2,000fps would most likely work perfectly.

The 270gr. RN was usually thought to be tougher than the 300gr. RN Hornady.

In that rifle, if using decent brass, I do not believe you are not restricted to CIP or SAAMI standards for that ctg.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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