Looking for some help

[irndan]

I am looking on planning a  elk hunt in the near future. What I am wanting/hoping to find is a early .44 caliber carbine. I have always wanted one and should have bought one before ruger discontinued them. I don't like the looks of the newer ones. I think it would be neat to have the .44 sitting along side my 10/22 in the safe. I have noticed when looking online there is one that is tube fed and one with a magazine. I can't remember which model is which but I want the one with the magazine like the 10/22. Which model is this? I live in a state that does not allow rifles for hunting so the local gun shops here don't have any to look at. Also I do have dies for my .44 mag. pistol (also ruger so I can load my own . Will this gun be ok for an elk hunt? I now it will have the knockdown power but what range should I limit my shots to, or would I be better off with a 30.06? Sorry for the length of the post and all the questions but I would rather get anwers fom people who have been there done that.
 Thanks for the help

[Coyote Hunter]

irndan –

.44 Mag carbines are a lot of fun – Dad gave me a Browning B92 levergun in .44 Mag about 20 years ago and I enjoy it immensely.  It has been on many an elk hunt as my backup rifle and I made it a point to hunt with it at least one day each elk hunt, knowing that retained energy made it a 100 yard proposition even though I can hit considerably further with it.  (I shoot steel at 200 yards on a regular basis with it.)

But here’s a word of advice to an out-of-stater who will spend far more on an elk hunt than I do and for whom elk hunts may be a one-time thing or few and far between – take the .30-06.

In my 24 years of elk hunting I have seen a fair number taken and have taken my share.  Most shots are under 150 yards but when you need to reach further you need to reach further.  A .30-06 will reach as far as most people have any business attempting.  Use a 180g Nosler Partition, North Fork bonded, Speer Trophy Bonded, Speer Grand Slam or Swift A-Frame and don’t worry about the results.  (I would include Barnes X/XLC/TSX but was very disappointed with the XLC’s on antelope.)  If you can, practice at 200 yards and take a few shots at 300 and 400.  You may not need that range but you never know for sure until you’re ready to squeeze the trigger.

P.S.  Bring the .44 as a backup if you get one.

[jhm]

Irndan:  If you saw a Ruger that loaded with a magazine in 44 cal. I cant think of the model or have ever seen one, all I am aware of are the ones with the tube magazine, I have one myself, and there is a Pawn shop in L. Rock, Ar. that had 2 of them a few weeks back but I will have to research their nam for you, both were in the mid $400 range if you are interested, they may be willing to ship to your FFL dealer for you, pls advise if you want me to research for you.    JIM

[irndan]

The one I am thinking of (if I am right ) had a rotary magazine that heald I think 4 or 5 rounds. It was like a 10/22 only in a .44 cal

[greenjeans]

This looks like it. I remember seeing ads for the gun, but can't come up with it right now.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976600368.htm

Still doesn't give a model no., but might contact the seller. Good luck.

[jhm]

Thats the gun, but it isnt a rotary magazine like the 10-22 it is a tubular magazine which you cant see because the tube is inside the stock.    JIM

[greenjeans]

Found it in a 2003 Buyer's Guide. Model 99/44 Deerfield Carbine, gas operated, 4 round rotary magazine. Says two models were available, but doesn't differentiate  between the two. Front gold bead, rear folding aperture, scope base integral to receiver. Knew I had it somewhere.

[irndan]

Thats the one! I thought I was thinking right Thanks for the help

[jhm]

The Deerfield was a NEW gun in 2000, the original 44mag. carbine was manu. 1961-1985, it will be the one that closely matches your 10-22.    JIM