Ruger #3 Scoping

[Drm50]

A Ruger #3 is worst gun in the world to scope. The rings are only
3” apart. The older generation scopes that have long tubes will work . Todays scopes have very little tube length to adjust for eye
relief. The objective bell or adj. turret blocks travel.
Rifle is 375Win. Just got a Leupold 2.5 x 20mm off a member. Had to remove the 1” stock extender to get eye relief but I think will make a nice rig for Ohio.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Ruger #3

I have a Leopold 2-7 on mine but put a Ruger #1 stock on it.
It's a 45-70.

 

[biku324]

Nice combo! The scope looks vaguely familiar...

 

[Imissedagain]

We sometimes use an Intermediate Eye Relief Leupold 2.5x28 on the No.1H.
Nice on the 6920 as well.

 

[Ruger 13]

My Ruger #3 in 45/70 isn’t drilled and tapped!

 

[Drm50]

I have a Leopold 2-7 on mine but put a Ruger #1 stock on it.
It's a 45-70.

Good you got it where you want it. You are plumb out of rear travel. I’ve put scopes on the #3 that I never pulled the trigger because I figured recoil would damage scope. A K3 will mount with front ring flush with Objective Bushing, not good. Other scopes front ring was against Objective Bell. Still other had rear ring against adj. turret. I don’t like any of those situations. #3 in 45/70 is harsh recoil. I would say unpleasant to shoot with any stout loads. 375Win comes in 2nd for recoil in #3s.
Ruger did sell scope bases for #3 but I’ve never seen a set. It would be nice to use Ruger rings. Ruger didn’t put much thought into sighting options for #3s. They didn’t make enough of them that aftermarket accessories were made. Uncle Bill Ruger must have been building rifles for munchkins because the 77 CF and #1s seem to be only long guns Ruger didn’t short stroke in the stock Dept.

 

[rockquarry]

I've had no problems scoping a #3 in .45-70 and another in .30-40 Krag. Old Weaver steel K models remain plentiful, cheap and work well. So do Weaver bases and rings even if they aren't the most attractive in mounting hardware.

 

[Drm50]

I've had no problems scoping a #3 in .45-70 and another in .30-40 Krag. Old Weaver steel K models remain plentiful, cheap and work well. So do Weaver bases and rings even if they aren't the most attractive in mounting hardware.

There is no problem putting the old long tube scopes on them. I’ve got a K12 on 223 #3. I can move it where I want it. I’m not paying $100-$150 for a old steel tube Weaver. The optics in the newer scopes are so much better. I have Weaver scopes bought new in 60s and early 70s still on same gun. My dad bought me a
Ruger 77 when they first came out & a new K6 Weaver, got K10s
on Custom 98 243 and a Rem 722. They were good scopes in their day. Now it cost arm and a leg to get one fixed. Today makes more sense to invest in good glass. With hunting opportunities getting sparse I don’t want to foul up with antiques.

 

[CH4]

I have a Leopold 2-7 on mine but put a Ruger #1 stock on it.
It's a 45-70.

I use the same scope on my #1 in 30-30. I believe it has the pig plex. My 45-70 currently wears an NECG peep.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

On my No 1 in 375 H&H I used a medium eye relief muzzleloader scope. Had eye relief to spare! So that would work on a No 3.

Ivan

 

[Drm50]

I use the same scope on my #1 in 30-30. I believe it has the pig plex. My 45-70 currently wears an NECG peep.

How about pic of 45/70 & peep sight.

 

[CH4]

How about pic of 45/70 & peep sight.

Here ya go
The peep comes with different apertures.

NECG Ruger Peep Sight N-100, Peep Sights | New England Custom Gun Service, Ltd.

I agree with the Drm50 et al. Trying to find a ring/scope combo for the 1 and 3 that gives proper eye relief and doesn’t look awkward can be frustrating. The NECG peep is a good alternative, if you have the eyes.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I use the same scope on my #1 in 30-30. I believe it has the pig plex. My 45-70 currently wears an NECG peep.

When I bought my NECG peep for my No1's it didn't come with extra apertures. I used it some with my 7mm No1, but never with the H&H or 218 Bee. As my eyes got older, I just use something with glass now, and don't know where I placed it.

Ivan

 

[rockquarry]

Many have never used or even seen an aperture sight. Out to 100 yards or maybe a little farther, depending on shooting skills and eyesight, these will work about as well as low-powered (2.5x -4x) scopes.

 

[Drm50]

There is nothing faster than an aperture sight. I hunt with the aperture in my pocket. Patridge blade front and shot through the frame. That’s why a lot of our Military rifles had aperture rears. A lot of people don’t know how to use one. They try to use it like a back sight. Others use a pinhole aperture which isn’t worth snot on a buck that is jumped out of a thicket.
I have/ had them on several deer guns. I had one on old 1895 Marlin and sighted it in and marked witness plate for ranges. I have one on 16” 30/30 that makes people walk away talking to themselves.
My official Turkey Shoot 22 has aperture sight. This one has custom sized apertures for the target at 100’. I modified a Weaver scope base as mount for sight.
I’m going to check out peep for #3. A aperture sight actually will increase your vision. Looking through a aperture at front site and target are 2 points of focus. Iron sights require 3 points.