A Ruger #3 in 358 Win ?

[Jack]

The #3 action is identical to the Ruger #1, internally- both are stronger than most bolt guns. The #3 was chambered in 22 Hornet, 223, 375 Winchester, 45-70, and maybe others.
30-40 Krag, maybe?

[Rapier]

Tried to get back but there was a problem on the site.

Some answers to several questions about the Martini Cadet:

The Cadet action is technically a BP action for a BP gun. However it was made in the era of smokeless powder. It is much stronger than 99% of the folks realize. It is as strong as the large action, however it is limited by the "turn" and that is you must have a cartridge that will go into the chamber, past the rear height of the action or bolt. One indication of just how much pressure a Cadet action can handle is the cartridge designed specificly for use in the Cadet, the 222 Remington modified with a rim or the 222R. I own one of these rifles and it is a 222 that you load as normal using a 38spl shell holder, very simple. But the gun uses standard 222 loads and the 222 case itself is rated as a 60K case, normally loaded to 46-47,000 CUP which is exactly how the 222R is loaded.

I believe that the largest diameter case head you can safely load in the Cadet is the 225 Win or 30-30 due to the chamber VS barrel minor thread diameter. There are a lot of 225s around and as with mine, the folks that own them stick to factory loads or equal and do not push the limits.

The secret to the 357 Super Mag guns is the use of rifle bullets as a flat sided pistol bullet will not make the turn into the chamber. You must also reduce the firing pin diameter and make a bushing to reduce the firing pin hole for high pressure cartridges. I use a small short bushing (about half way through the bolt face) with a shoulder, inserted into the bolt face with black locktite, firing pin hole drilled first. I create a shoulder on the firing pin and stop the FP on the bolt body, not the bushing. Make sure to shorten the pin so it does not extend past the standard smokeless extension. I also change the firing pin spring to a new spring just in case its old spring is worn.

The 357 SM guns, or Max if you wish have 16 inch barrels and both load as follows:
180 Hornady SP Rifle Bullet 24.5 Gr H-110 @ 2,140 fps .70 group at 100 yards this is a max load with slightly starting to flatten primers
200 Remington RN Rifle Bullet 23.5 H-110 @ 2,003 fps .50 groups at 100 No pressure signs at all

The 180 load is a bang flop load on a deer. It is a Bambi roller.

I just knew Paul would understand the idea of the 358 Win in a #3, expecially when new wood was added to the equasion, with a recoil pad.

The #3 was made in 30-40 Kraig, a buddy of mine has had two and still has one. He like Paul is a #1 nut and decided his life was not complete without a full set of #3s. He has a #3 he built is 45x120.5 that is an uncut cylindrical case at its full length, the extra .5

The #3 and #1 actions are identical, save the levers and lever parts. If I can get it to post I will show you my #13. A #3 22 Hornet with a #1 7mm RM barrel, #1 wood and a #1 mag extractor / ejector.
Here we go,
Ed

First is the 2nd 357 SM

[popplecop]

Savage 99s in 348 Win. was a favorite with the Canadian moose guides I knew. If it was a good cartridge for them it would be something I would sure consider. I had a No. 3 when they first came out in 45-70, even with factory loads it got my attention after about ahalf dozen shots off the bench.

[popplecop]

Just noticed my typo I ment 358 not 348, which is a great old cartridge too.

[Rapier]

This is the 222R gun. It Pushes a 53 Sierra HP out at 3,433 fps using a Lyman book accuracy load for .50 inches at 100.
Ed

[Rapier]

This is the #13 gun. It pushes a 140 Sierra out at 3,133 fps at .591 inches with 66 gr imr4350, a right out of the book load. The barrel is free floated.
Ed

[dovehunter]

I love the looks of your Martinis. With that wood your no. 3 looks more like a no. 1. It's a find looking piece. Have to be careful not to get drool on my keyboard.

[Ridge Runner]

Originally Posted by Jack

The #3 action is identical to the Ruger #1, internally- both are stronger than most bolt guns. The #3 was chambered in 22 Hornet, 223, 375 Winchester, 45-70, and maybe others.
30-40 Krag, maybe?

yep, but all rimmed low pressure cartridges, like the TC contender, no rimless cartridges larger than 223, thats why I was wondering, the most potent I've saw or heard of a #3 was a guy took a couple 375's and bored them out to 375 JDJ, but its also a round safe in the contendor.
RR