[tmanwell]

Greetings:

New to the forum here...

I am in the process of purchasing an older Ruger .44 magnum carbine (4 digit serial #).

I have long wanted one of these, but am now somewhat worried after reading a few internet threads about ammo feed problems. I am not into reloading.....and simply want to be able to buy a box of ammo at the store & go shooting.

Am I in for major disappointments with this gun?????


TM

 

[Oberndorf]

It depends

I have an older Ruger .44 Carbine and it handles whatever ammo I feed it. The only problem I encountered was using Unique powder in some reloads. The rifle did not like the load. When I switched to IMR4227, she shot like a dream. Take care...
Oberndorf

 

[MMichaelAK]

The Deerfield/Deerstalker (cant remember which name but the old model .44) tends to prefer heavier loads so if you look for a +P round, you should have no issues at all.

 

[tmanwell]

I have an older Ruger .44 Carbine and it handles whatever ammo I feed it. The only problem I encountered was using Unique powder in some reloads. The rifle did not like the load. When I switched to IMR4227, she shot like a dream. Take care...
Oberndorf

Thanks!

Is there anything to the 'concern' of discharging rounds in the feedtube? (supposedly a prob with fmj type rounds)??

This will be my 1st 44 mag, so I'm unfamiliar with off the shelf ammo.

If you were to buy some off the shelf ammo for backyard tin can shooting ....what would you buy?

THANKS.


TM

 

[broom_jm]

Welcome to ShootersForum, TM.

Stick with 240gr flat nosed or hollow-point loads and avoid anything that hints at being reduced power or for "cowboy action" shooting. In other words, the most common, standard 44mag ammo that you'll find on the shelf of just about any sporting goods store.

To be honest, I'm not aware of any 44 mag loadings that come with a bullet which would be unsafe in a tubular magazine. Even the Hornady LeverEvolution rounds, with the FTX bullets, are perfectly safe for your gun.

One of the many benefits of learning to handload is that you are exposed to a lot of information about the various components that go into ammunition. It's a fun hobby that teaches you what makes a gun more accurate.

 

[mattsbox99]

I have the Deerfield version, which is a lot of fun and quite accurate. I get 1.5" groups at 100 yards with mine and 225 grain leverevolutions. I think you'll be quite happy with the Deerstalker.

 

[Davers]

I had a Ruger semi-auto in .44 Magnum way back in the late '60's. The accuracy was not really anything to brag about as it averaged about 3.5" at 75 yards with most factory loads. I read somewhere, a few years back, that early rifles & carbines chambered for the .44 Magnum had a slow rate-of-twist which was responsible for the type accuracy they delivered. Newer .44 Magnum rifles & carbines have a faster rate-of-twist which is more accurate shooting.

 

[Jack]

I have one of the old Ruger .44 autoloaders, and I like it very much. Mine is very reliable.
One thing to keep in mind: back when the Ruger was designed (before 1963), the standard load on the market in 44 magnum caliber was a 240 grain bullet- heavier bullet factory loads did not exist. That's the bullet weight the Ruger was designed to function with, and it does. BTW, Ruger recommended jacketed bullets only for that rifle, suggesting that lead bullets might clog up the gas system. I've read that some folks have good success shooting lead thru the rifle, so, if that's something you want to do, you may have to try it and see.
If you run into function problems, there is one thing to check: it is possible to mis assemble the rifle with the floating gas piston in backwards. With the piston backwards, the rifle will not function reliably. Ruger will send you (for free) an instruction manual with dis assembly instructions, and an illustration of the proper way the rifle should be assembled.

 

[tmanwell]

Hi guys...

I *really* appreciate the combined wisdom re the Ruger .44 carbine--especially from those who are are actual owners or former owners of the gun.

My particular model is an earlier version as, according to the seller, it has a 4 digit serial #.

As far as accuracy goes, I'm ok if it doesn't drive tacks at 100yrds.....providing it's not horribly inaccurate. From what others have said about ammo, I'll be looking to purchase standard 240gr ammo (non lead ball)

It will be a couple weeks before the gun actually gets in my hands. It's coming from out of state, waiting on my personal check to clear, but will have lots more to post about it when it gets here.

Right now it's just got the standard sights, but I'm putting some thought into possibilities there as well. Maybe some Williams sights or something.


TM

 

[ironhead7544]

The Speer manual says not to use their 240 gr FMJ in tube magazines.

 

[tmanwell]

The Speer manual says not to use their 240 gr FMJ in tube magazines.

Ok.......
What does that leave? 240gr hp? I've never owned a .44mag before, but seems like I saw ammo that was partially jacketed, but with a flat nose. What are those called?

 

[hillestadj]

If I'm not mistaken the Ruger carbines feed from a removable 4 round rotary magazine. If thats right you should be able to load any bullet style you want.

 

[tmanwell]

If I'm not mistaken the Ruger carbines feed from a removable 4 round rotary magazine. If thats right you should be able to load any bullet style you want.

You're both right and wrong....

The older, original .44 carbine had a 4-shot *tube magazine. They discontinued this model in the 1980s. They then brought out a different model in the 90s that was chambered for .44 mag, but used the 4 shot box magazine.

Mine is an original/older model, so it has the tube mag.

tm

 

[Jack]

BTW, Ruger has a feature on their website that allows you to look up the serial number of any of their firearms and see what year it was made.
They hide the feature rather well
On the Ruger website, go to 'customer service', click 'general' and scroll down.

 

[tmanwell]

BTW, Ruger has a feature on their website that allows you to look up the serial number of any of their firearms and see what year it was made.
They hide the feature rather well
On the Ruger website, go to 'customer service', click 'general' and scroll down.

I'll be sure to do that when mine arrives.

tm

 

[mattsbox99]

Ok.......
What does that leave? 240gr hp? I've never owned a .44mag before, but seems like I saw ammo that was partially jacketed, but with a flat nose. What are those called?

There are lot of suitable bullets out there. I believe you are referring to SJHP/SJFP or Semi Jacketed Hollow Point and Semi Jacketed Flat Point. Anything that is a hollow point or comes to a flat nose will be safe in your gun. Also, the Hornadys that have a Flex Tip bullet are safe as they are designed to work in tube type magazines.

 

[budd]

I have owned both and I currently own a Deerfield, and I really like that little carbine. It is lite and handels great and hits hard. I get 2-3 inch groups at a hundred yards, and since my eyes are going south I keep my shots at 150 yds and closer. My only complaint about the Deerfield in the 3 rd magazine. Couldn't Bill Ruger design the Deerfield with a bigger mag for it.

Budd

 

[crazydave]

I've killed a world of pigs & deer with my tube-fed Ruger .44 Carbine. My favorite jacketed-bullet load is a 240gr XTP over a max charge of H-110 going 1800+ fps & 1/2" groups @50yds. My lead bullet is a 300gr cast LFNGC bullet going right at 1600fps & 3" groups @100yds.

My carbine is the deluxe w/cheekpiece & grooved forend. It has an old 1.75-5x Redfield in Weaver Pivot mounts. I can pivot the scope aside to see the open sights if needed....

The thing I love is you can drop a round in the open action, hit the button on the carrier, and the round loads every time. I've done this countless times when I needed to get "just one more pig" running through the palmettos.

 

[stopskic]

Ruger Deerfield sight/scope mount question

Want to install a see through scope mount for the Deerfield carbine. Have not had any success with Ironsighter people, no one seems able to answer question.

Does anyone know of the specific materials needed?

Charlie

 

[bigjershooter]

I have a friend that I reload for with a Ruger carbine like yours.I have found that a Hornady 265gr.flat nose behind a max charge of WW-296 really shoots a tight group with his carbine.He has never had a feeding problem,and now will not let his son shoot any of the reloads.He buys him 240gr factory loads to plink with and keeps my reloads foe deer hunting only.I would see if you can get the 265gr.factory load and see how it shoots in your Ruger carbine.