Deerfield Carbine and Cast Bullets

[Cheesehead]

First of all, I know this is wrong. I have been told cast bullets will plug the gas system. I am just curious as to where and how things start going wrong. Where does the lead plug the gas system? Is it possible to remove this lead from the gas port? Does this damage the rifle? I have piles of cast bullets and only this rifle in 44 besides my 29 pistol. Maybe I need another rifle in 44.

Cheese

[Rangr44]

Lead not only eventually plugs the barrel's gas port - which is a real PITA to clean - it also fouls the gas chamber/piston, both leading to FTF's.

Unless you're a masochist, and absolutely love perpetual/frequent teardown/cleaning/etc, you need another .44 rifle for lead boolit shooting.

.

[Hank08]

Mine may be an exception but I've had it for  30 yrs. and I shoot the same cast bullets in it that I shoot in my Ruger singles actions.  429421 Keith and 22 grs. h110, can't tell you how many I've shot through it but I've never, so far, had to clean or do anything to the gas port.
It's never failed to function but maybe i should check that port out and see if it's getting plugged.  I have seen gas ports plugged from powder residue when only shooting jacketed bullets.
H08

[gstewart44]

If you are intent on breaking down the 44 carbine please make sure you have a good gunsmiths manual to follow.   I consider myself moderately mechanically inclined and have a well stocked workshop.   I do the breakdown and maintenence on all of my firearms without any fuss.

Most of Bill Ruger's designs are the model of simplicity however the early model 44 carbine can be a real challenge to reassemble if you have never done it before.   Like I mentioned above get a good smithy's manual before tearing it down.   You will thank yourself later.   

[Ranger J]

The Deerfield is the newer of the two 44 carbines.  I believe the onus on using cast is not so much a problem with the lead bullet as the accumulation of lubricant.  Save your self some grief and shoot clad bullets.

RJ

[efremtags]

I have used good hardcast bullets without issue in the old 4 deerslayer. The key is to use modest velocity and gas check to minimize flame cutting of the lead.

I would no shoot thousnds of rounds, but hundreds with normal cleaning is not an issue.

This gun was fun and accurate, but a bitch to clean and operate. Cycling shells to unload it routinely casued jambs. I eventualy got rid of the thing becasue of jamb issues while in the woods. You needs tools to get things unstuck with a double feed or fliped round in the action.

The newer model is clip fed, so the problem is moot.

[Default]

For alot of years i had a 1969 manufacture dated Deerfield ... Great gun , and one that i miss not having for a wide range of reasons ..
 But at the time I didnt reload and so this question was never a consideration , but of course ammo wasnt the price it is today nor was it as hard to find...

 I dont run lead in my gas operated delayed blow back system rifles , It isnt worth the risks and or if it was a very limited shooting session i would imagine that the work nessecary to clean it out would get old rather quick..

  Cheese your better served to save those rounds for your revolver brother... Or do like i did for punching cast out of a carbine length rifle and grab up a handi 44 , My old man uses the Marlin and i'm sure once i have him back here he'll be shooting my reloads in his 1894

   Sent you a pm too Cheese,

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