Ruger 77/44 action strength

[Dan Forrester]

So about 10 years ago I picked up a box of Buffalo Bore .44 magnum 340 grain +p+ ammo to shoot in my Ruger Super Blackhawk.

Well the bottom line is I’m too chicken to shoot them out of my 4 5/8” barrel Super Blackhawk revolver but wouldn’t mind launching a couple out of my Ruger 77/44.

The 77/44 isn’t listed as an approved firearm for shooting but I suspect it should be fine. From what I read rifles with rear locking lugs are inherently less strong. But it should still be stronger than a Super Blackhawk right?

What are everyone’s thoughts?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[Jonny2guns]

Yah, wouldn't be launching them out of my Redhawk. Already have arthritis in my hands.

 

[Buzznrose]

I think you’d be fine but you can probably reach out Ruger for an answer.

EDITED: sorry. I was thinking the 77-44 was a stout bolt action, so my ignorance was to err on the wrong side of safe. I want to clear that up and acknowledge my poor judgement.

 

[someguy2800]

I think you’d be fine but you can probably reach out Ruger for an answer.

nearly guaranteed to get a lawyer approved answer

 

[JmacD]

I’m thinking that it has to be able to handle saami max… and I believe that the BBB ammo is at saami max? I’m curious about it as I saw one of those rifles on a used rack and wondered the same thing…

 

[Riomouse911]

The 1:20” twist of the 77/44 should stabilize a 340 gr bullet, if it fits in the mag and feeds. However; The 77/44 action isn’t a “Ruger 77” center fire rifle action per se, it is a modified 77/22 Hornet action with rear locking lugs ( Also used in 77/22 rimfires.)

But, even if it feeds, the Buffalo Bore website does not list the 77/44 as a rifle suitable for their round. From their site:



Just for reference, these are the SAAMI specs on the .44 Mag, so anything over 36,000 psi is +P and beyond.




So, based on Buffalo Bore specifically and emphatically saying “No!”, I would stay away from using that +P+ load in that particular rifle.

Stay safe.

 

[Dan Forrester]

Thank you for everyone’s responses. I’m going to play it safe and follow Riomouse911 advice and not pull the trigger on these in my 77/44. He is correct that Buffalo Bore is very specific with their list of approved firearms.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[CraigC]

Those loads are way over SAAMI pressure standards at nearly 50,000psi, hence the +P+ rating. No idea of the reason it's not listed on the BB website. It could be because it's too long to fit the magazine. I've heard the CPBC 320gr will fit and cycle but that's the heaviest. The Rimrock 340gr in that load is very long, nose to crimp.

I really don't have an answer, the Ruger 77/44 is an unknown. I would probably not shoot them in it.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I believe they are too long to cycle through repeater actions. That’s why every firearm listed is a revolver or single shot.

They “may” cycle in a 77/44 magazine but are of such high pressure I would not risk it myself. I would rather try them in an 1892 action.

 

[greyling22]

Personally, I'd pull one apart, measure the powder charge, then reduce it by 10%. Then do it to all of them. I find the whole concept of buffalo bores over pressured ammo stupid.

 

[CraigC]

Personally, I'd pull one apart, measure the powder charge, then reduce it by 10%. Then do it to all of them. I find the whole concept of buffalo bores over pressured ammo stupid.

That makes absolutely no sense. Far easier and cheaper to buy the bullets and just load them yourself.

 

[someguy2800]

That makes absolutely no sense. Far easier and cheaper to buy the bullets and just load them yourself.

Sure, but the OP already has the ammo and nothing to shoot them in.

I would just sell it on gunbroker.

 

[CraigC]

I agree, he'll be money ahead to sell them.

Gonna have a hell of a time pulling bullets with BB's crimp. Second from left.

 

[Caplock]

 

[Caplock]

You can send'em to us. I'll let Mojave Red put them through a Super Red Hawk.
(Youtube doesn't like kids learning about/shooting guns. Took the video down in minutes. )

 

[halfmoonclip]

Forty four Mag is one of those calibers that almost demand you reload to get maximum entertainment, unless you're simply going to zero it, and then hunt with it.
It is really versatile if you can turn the power up and down.
BTW, the acceptable list does indicate that dropping block lockup lever guns are acceptable; do those long BB loads present an issue feeding in a Win92/Marlin94?
Moon

 

[CraigC]

BTW, the acceptable list does indicate that dropping block lockup lever guns are acceptable; do those long BB loads present an issue feeding in a Win92/Marlin94?

Yep. They won't feed or stabilize in their slow twist. At least Ruger has fixed the twist rate issue. Feeding can be fixed through gunsmith tuning.

 

[StrawHat]

nearly guaranteed to get a lawyer approved answer

Yes, they also do not approve of handloaded ammunition!

Kevin

 

[Dan Forrester]

Yes pulling the bullets and reducing the charge did cross my mind. But the crimp is is absolutely ridiculous! Never seen anything like it.

Are the bullets loaded in these rounds available for sale somewhere or does Buffalo bore cast them themselves with a custom mold? It would be fun to reload a standard pressure version of these.

I did try to load them in the magazine but could only get the first round in and the magazine would not seat in the gun. I could manually drop one in the chamber and close the bolt though.

Thanks for the good conversation everyone!

Dan

 

[CraigC]

The bullets come from Rimrock, they are commercially available. The only data I remember off the top of my head was published by Brian Pearce in Handloader magazine.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Yes, they also do not approve of handloaded ammunition!

Kevin

Having no control over what handloaders might do, this is entirely understandable. But (luck of the draw) the right tech on the phone, you can at least get a sympathetic hearing, or even a discussion.
Speaking only for me, the only reloads I trust are my own.
Moon

 

[CraigC]

Yeah, there's no reason to call Ruger. It'll be a complete waste of time. They're going to give you the liability-conscious answer, which is to say that SAAMI spec factory ammo is what you should use. The BB 340gr is way over standard pressure. For example, from Ruger's perspective, the Redhawk .45Colt is no different from a blackpowder era Colt SAA.