Ruger 44 Mag Carbine

[Bernie B]

Hey,

I am picking up a used Ruger 44 mag carbine (the old model, not the deerfield). A potential hog gun for the Florida swamps.

I was wondering if any one has had experiance with this carbine, what loads do they like? Will they cycle reliably with the heavier bullets? Are there any loads that just don't work well in them? Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,

Bernie

 

[saltydog452]

Ruger 44 Mag carbine..

I don't reload anymore, but when I did I learned to avoid 2400 powder for the Ruger reloads. Its 'dirty'. My Ruger definitely liked clean ammunition and it liked to stay clean and well oiled.

I picked up a steel barrel band to replace the aluminum one that lasted less than a year. The Ruger, a 629, and a 24-3 went camping with us a lot.

Ammo of choice now for the 44 Mags is Cor-Bon 180 grain @ an advertised MV of 1700 fps. I 'spect the velocity is a bit greater in the carbine and a bit less in the 629.

If I were buying a 44 Mag carbine again, it would be a lever action.

salty.

 

[ACP230]

The old Ruger .44 carbines are gas-operated and don't appreciate lead bullets.

I have just started loading for mine using Mag Tech 240 grain soft-point bullets and Unique powder. The loads I made shot well but weren't powerful enough to run the gun right. I'm going to try H110 in the next batch of loads.

I like the way the carbine handles and may do some hunting with it this fall.

 

[Shooter973]

Ruger 44 mag carbine's (Old Model)

I have 2 of these fine little rifles, and the thing I've discovered about mine is that they hate light weight bullets!!! Mine won't shoot 180 gr bullets worth a hoot. They both like 240 gr. jacketed bullets and full mag charges of 296 powder. XTP's have given me the best groups, and they will flatten a Mule deer in its tracks. Biggest gripe about them is they throw the brass about 20-25 ft and I seem to lose about 50% of it. I shoot my levers and my bolt 44's more now to stop losing the brass so fast.

 

[steveno]

Mine ejected rounds(reloads using H-110) out of the tube instead of into the chamber. Ruger replaced the fire control and it worked fine afterwards. I should have kept it but at the time it was the odd gun out in a trade.

 

[Bernie B]

Thanks

This gives me an idea of what ammo to start with.

Bernie

 

[Mike128]

I've only used mine on whitetail does. It likes the heavier bullets and works more relieably with them. Winchester 250 partitions and older Winchester Silvertips. All my does were shot at 50 yards or less and dropped in their tracks. Light recoiling for fast follow ups.
Take it to a gunsmith to clean the recoil assembley in the stock. That will help reliablity as most people never cleaned that area and older guns seems to have a lot of gunk built up there.

 

[ghostrider07]

They shot best with 240s at factory velocity.