Need a Load for a Ruger .44 Carbine

[Bringsteen]

I am looking for a good load for the Ruger .44 Carbine. It is one of the old models made in the 1970's.

One problem is that I am going to use it for deer hunting in Northern Minnesota. This is a problem because Hodgdon H110 and Winchester 296 (the same powder, I know) can cause pressure spikes in very cold weather. So I need a powder that will operate more consistently over a range of temperatures.

Another problem is that because the carbine is gas-operated, I need to use a powder that will reliably cycle the action.

Any suggestions?

 

[buck460XVR]

What bullet weight are you shooting? I've had good luck with Lil Gun, 2400 and IMR 4227 with .44 magnum and a 240 bullet, either XTPs or Nosler JHP/JSPs. That said H110/W296 is still my go to powder in .44mag and I hunt in Wisconsin. I also use H110/W296 in my .460 S&W for hunting deer. I have never had any problems even in very cold weather, but I use Magnum primers and a heavy crimp.

 

[rcmodel]

H110/W296 does not cause pressure spikes in cold weather.

I may not produce as much pressure, especially when lit with standard primers, but there is no concern with "spikes" causing action damage.

Just follow buck460XVR's advice.

Use Mag primers, near max loads, and a heavy crimp, and you are good to go.

With that said, Alliant 2400 would also work well. It is likely what some factory loads were loaded with back when your Ruger was being made.

rc

 

[Bringsteen]

Well, if they work in Wisconsin, they should work in Minnesota. The cold weather pressure spike thing is something repeated by gunwriters. But as you've actually fired such loads in cold weather, I'll go with your assessment.

I was thinking of using a lighter bullet, perhaps as light as 180 grain. But I may go up to 240 grain.

I have used 2400, but I was looking for something with a little more power. As long as H110 doesn't cause pressure spikes in cold weather, I might as well go with that.

 

[loadedround]

I own two old model Ruger 44 Mag Carbines amd both of mine fucntion perfectly with both 2400 and 296 powder in all types of weather. FYI, I was told when I purchased my first one back in the mid '60's by two very knowedgeable people that the Ruger Carbines were designed around 240 gr Speer jacketed bullets and that bullet weight is all I use in my carbines...both solid and hollow point bullets.

 

[dmazur]

I also have two older Ruger carbines and I feed them an exclusive diet of Speer #1004457 240gr JSP's, with H110 and a firm crimp.

I had some fail to feeds, caused by an accumulation of gum in the magazine tubes, but this wasn't the fault of the ammunition. Same ammo worked fine after I got rid of the gum.

 

[Remo-99]

In my 44mag carbine, I've used 200gr and 310gr, imo the 44mag case just doesn't have enough room for doses of slow powder to make the most of it,(when 310gr bullets are seated to a depth that allow reliable chambering/feeding).

I'm in the opinion that bullets of around 240gr are a good balance of bullet weight and velocity, with a choice of a hollow flatpoint for more expansion or soft flatpoint if more penetration is called for.

My favorite load for it is a hardcast 250gr hollow cavity CG'ed with H4227.
2400 and H110/W296 are also very good powders for pushing ~240gr bullets hard in a 44mag. imo and as others have mentioned.

 

[Bringsteen]

I appreciate everyone's input. This dramatically simplifies my load development.