Why am I posting on S&W forum about a Ruger. Because I tend to get fairly impartial replies here. I have been offered a Ruger No.1 270 Win in exchange for my Marlin 1894 .44Mag.
Does this seem a fair exchange or should I include a cash payment? Stupid question, but any comments on the Ruger would be appreciated.
The guy with the Ruger insists it is 270 Mag but I cant see that this caliber exists. I know there is a 270 WSM, but I can't see that this rifle was ever made in this caliber. Has he got it wrong?

Two totally different guns for two totally different purposes. Cost wise assuming both new-a balancing payment might be due by you-BUT in my not so humble opinion, unless you are really jonesing for a #1 in 270-I would keep the .44. Much more useful as an all round gun-at least I would rather have it than a 270.

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From an English lawyer to a CajunLawyer, thanks for your speedy reply. I hate people who claim to have a "humble opinion" so you won me over with the words "not so".

Whilst I agree with your thinking, I also have a Winchester 94 in .44 Mag, so one of them is surplus to requirements. As I have a very small collection of Winchesters (4, in fact) I am reluctant to part with any of them, so if any have to go, it's the Marlin. I used to have a CZ 550 in 270 Win and I loved it. Regret parting with it. Never actually shot anything with it, but that's irrelevant. I liked the calibre. In the same kind of way, I just liked handling the Ruger. It felt good. And it would be nice to have something that fits in the gap between my .44 Mag and 30-30 Winchesters on the one hand and my .444Marlin Winchester on the other hand. Does that make sense?

I paid 500 something for my Ruger Number One Tropical in .458 Win Mag some time back (two years, three? Time flies...). The Tropicals usually sell for a slight premium. The Ruger Number 1 action has been used as a basic for all sorts of conversions and wildcats. It is likely possible to encounter one chambered for most anything. Given Marlin's uncertain business future, I'd keep the .44 myself. I don't know what Marlin is getting for new guns. I think the new .30-30s at Walmart are just under 400.

Ruger Number 1s can be hard to resell/trade off, particularly if one is in a niche caliber or wildcat. They're the sort of thing that either someone is really into or else they're not. I traded mine for a Model 629 4" if I remember right.

I'd keep the Marlin if it's an earlier model w/o the safety.
I had a couple of #1's. Bought early in the production and they were very nice rifles. Times and tastes change. A 270Win #1 just doesn't do much for me.

I don't keep up with the latest stuff but if he insists it's a 270 Magnum of some sort, perhaps it's a .270Win that's been rechambered to something like an Ackley Improved cartridge. Just a thought.

they made some in 270 weatherby in the #-1. that could be it.

Don't know why I didn't check the caliber when I had it in my hand. At that stage I wasn't too interested as he hadn't suggested an exchange. I think he has got it wrong and it is in fact a 270 Win. I'll phone him and get him to check the markings on the rifle or the paperwork when he bought. My Marlin is a recent model with safety.

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Kill it, cook it, eat it.

Personally, and this is purely personal. For an even swap, I would jump on the Ruger. I have a couple of #1s and love them. I don't like and have never liked Winchester and/or Marlin lever guns. I never kept the ones I had very long. The only lever gun I have ever liked is my vintage 1950 Savage Mdl. 99 in .250 savage. I am just not a lever gun guy.

Ok-so if you already have a 94 in .44mag and this is a new Marlin with the crossbolt safety and the #1 is 270 Win. then you have my permission to make the trade. Bonus points if the #1 is stainless
PS I DO love the #1 and have been keeping my eye out for a stainless one in 30-06. Do I need one-HELL no but, I do like the #1 and the 30-06 is my calibre.
PS: If you ever want to get rid of that 94 in .44 I claim dibs

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If it is, 270 Weatherby ammo cost twice as much as 270 Win.

If I were to buy or trade for a #1 it would be in a more common caliber such as 30-06.

Dollar for dollar I would go with the No.1 I have had both the No 1 to me is worth more even in 270 Win. Jeff

I have a no 1V heavy bbl in 223 and love it. The Marlin is a very nice gun. If you reload it would be cheap to shoot but if you buy ammo it would be expensive. Also have a Marlin 39 and its a neat little gun.Larry

Would you really come to France to buy my 94?
Do I need the #1?

Methinks the answer to both questions is the same

Don't know if I mentioned, but it is a #1 International "traditional European-designed rifle with full Mannlicher-styled stock" to quote Ruger.

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Kill it, cook it, eat it.

"Don't know if I mentioned, but it is a #1 International "traditional European-designed rifle with full Mannlicher-styled stock" to quote Ruger."

This changes things considerably
I like #1's and have 6 or so. I also like Mannlicher stocks but together in a Ruger, is problematic. My Ruger 77 Mannlicher stocked 308 is without a doubt, the most inaccurate rifle I have owned(6" groups at 100yds). Add to the reputation of #1's for vertical strings, and I definitely want to shoot this rifle before I traded for it.

I've owned four No. 1s since the mid-70s and presently have two. Great guns. So is the Marlin. I'd think that would be a fair trade assuming both guns are in similar condition. No 1s cost more new than 1894s, but Marlins are probably easier to sell.

My 1894 44 mag Marlin was minute of buffalo at 75 yards. I could easily miss a 5 gallon bucket at 100 yards with the Marlin and hit the bucket with a Ruger 44 SBH.

I have 3 Ruger #1's that are minute of mouse at 100 yards. Lose the Marlin and get the Ruger -- even if it is 270 Weatherby!

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S&WHF 366

I had a Ruger #1 in .270 Winchester and LOVED it! This was my all-time favorite rifle. Unfortunately it was stolen several years ago. If it were me I'd have already traded.

I don't have a No. 1, but I do have a No. 3. Same thing, just kinda scaled down, and more of an "economy model".

I like the No. 3. Do I "need" it? No. In fact the one that I have is a .223 Remington. Kinda of usless combination? Yes.....but what the heck. It's just neat.

You can always find a boat load of Marlin and Winny lever guns, but a falling block Ruger comes around less often

As to caliber, well a .270 Win makes a lot more sense than the .223 Rem that I have.

I'd go for it!

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G.P. Charlie

Thanks for all of your helpful comments. It's nearly time to make a decision.

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Kill it, cook it, eat it.

nah ... keep the lever gun 44.
if that #1 was drilled for 45 - 70 ... then the game changes

I took the plunge and exchanged my Marlin for the Ruger. I love it. And to make it a better deal it came with a telescopic sight. The seller said it had quite a kick, but I found it mild compared with my .444 Marlin Winchester 94. Sight was well out, but an hour at the range had it fine tuned. I also did a deal on a set of RCBS dies, so the increased cost of 270 Win ammo is no great problem.

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Kill it, cook it, eat it.

Some weeks down the line and I have put a few more down the barrel. Still love it. Exchanging my Marlin for the Ruger was the best deal I ever did. The gun came with one box of cartridges and 2 boxes of used brass. In addition I bought some new cartridges. Everything is reloaded now ready for the next few visits to the range. I would shoot it more, but I have so many other guns I want to shoot.

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Kill it, cook it, eat it.

How can you say a single shot .223 is a useless combination??????
If you want to get rid if that useless #3 give me a shout.

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LOL Cajun!

Let me tell you the story on this No. 3.

I was living in Salt Lake City in 1980. Wolfe's, local sporting goods store advertised in the Deseret News, Ruger No. 3s in .45-70....for $140.00, NIB.

I was at work downtown when I read the ad. I took the bus home after work and jumped into my car and quickly drove to the store.

Went up to the gun counter...(breathlessly)...and asked to see one of the Ruger No. 3 .45-70s. They guy behind the counter just kinda looked at me and grinned..."we sold out of those by 11:00 a.m. this morning."

Saw one, lone, No. 3 on the shelf. "What about that one?" He said..."that's just a .223...."

"Let me see it!" As he handed it across the counter, another guy standing next to me tried to grab it! Damn!

Well, I won, I had the rifle in my hands and said...."I'll take it!"

That was that. I didn't "need" a .223, however...that's what I got.

I've like it ever since....all thirty years!

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G.P. Charlie