Author Topic: Ruger 77/44 magnum is back for 2009 (Read 3197 times)

jjas · « **on:** January 14, 2009, 06:43:33 PM »

For all you Hoosier deer hunters who might have wanted one, Ruger is bringing back the 77/44 bolt action rifle for 2009.

Here's a link

http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=7402&return=Y

Jim

holahead · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2009, 11:42:49 AM »

I wonder if you can get these yet? I would love to get one of these.

GatCat · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2009, 09:55:56 PM »

Does anyone remember the twist rate the originals had? Also, if I recall, the originals were somewhat criticized for not having a long enough magazine for heavier bullets...I wonder if that has been changed.
I think they are neat rifles, I missed out on the originals, but I think I will get one of the new issues..
Mark

jjas · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2009, 05:26:18 AM »

Quote from: GatCat on January 18, 2009, 09:55:56 PM

Does anyone remember the twist rate the originals had? Also, if I recall, the originals were somewhat criticized for not having a long enough magazine for heavier bullets...I wonder if that has been changed.
I think they are neat rifles, I missed out on the originals, but I think I will get one of the new issues..
Mark

I think the twist rate on both the old (and new versions) was 1 in 20. I don't know about the magazine, but I'm sure a call to Ruger could clarify.

As far as availability, my dealer said spring @ the earliest, but again, I'd ask Ruger customer service.

Looks like a sweet little gun. Perfect for Hoosier whitetail hunting.

Jim

45-70.gov · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2009, 06:29:15 AM »

this is the ultimate rifle to have a suppressor built in it

i guess my Handi project will be forgoten now

teddy12b · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2009, 07:18:56 AM »

Wow! That looks like an awesome little rifle. 44mag rifles have been sold out since they became legal to hunt with around here. If I didn't already have a 44mag rifle I'd give these some very serious thought.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2009, 07:37:25 AM »

I should have bought one last time and now I can loot to see the 99/44 auto and get one.

teddy12b · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2009, 08:18:58 AM »

I can only hope that Ruger would make the semi-auto 44 rifles again. Think there is more of a market for them now than there ever has been.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2009, 11:09:55 AM »

This got me thinking and I was wondering if they are going to have the short action out in any other calibers like 50 AE or 500 S&W.

45north · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2009, 04:23:35 PM »

I am interested as well. I have two concerns though, does the brl. have the right rifling pitch to handle 270 to 325 gr. hard cast lead bullets and will the magazine accept those long bullets. I wish it came in other calibers like 454 cassull,45 colt,480 ruger or even 475 linebaugh. i would order one in a hot second if it came in 45/70.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2009, 05:39:39 PM »

I really like the idea of that rifle, but I'm not so in love with the front blade sight. It looks as though one might use it for digging a slit trench. A tapered blade would be more pleasant to the eye. it seems that is a trend these days. But i dont like a lot of the latest trends. Oh well some people would bitch if you hung them with a gold rope!

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2009, 07:16:34 AM »

LOL,
Are we talking real gold or spray on from a can?

If they were to make this rifle in 454 Casull. There would be no need for a 45-70. Same bang small package.
As for the large 270 and + weight bullets from the 44 Mag. I have an auto and the mags can hold a 300 grain Fed hard cast but do not feed well. may be different on the bolt. My auto says Jacketed Bullets only too, so as not to foul the gas system. Not so with the Bolt action but the rotary mag is the weak link to the gun. The other down side it the rotary mag does not like specials. So if they were to come out with a 454 version it may not feed 45 colt and the same with 357 mag may not feed 38 Spl. May be easy to fix with a 38 Special magazine or 45 Colt mag as an accessory and make them out of a different color plastic. Gray, clear, or green?
The 480 ruger and 475 Linbough would be the same with a shorter mag needed. Not sure if the gun is strong enough for the 475. but that is something for the guys at Ruger to figure out.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #12 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:26:22 AM »

Er uhhh! would have to be the real stuff my neck is sensitive!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #13 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:34:55 AM »

45-70 i talked to a guy that builds suppressed rifles and he said the 77/44 was not a good choice because it had accuracy problems when suppressed . Have you heard any thing to the contary ? I agree with your choice but his statement worried me .

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #14 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:36:41 AM »

Mine too and don't want shinny gold stuff on my chin in the box.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #15 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:39:25 AM »

It's a 44 mag. What is he looking for in accuracy? and at what distance.
I have the same 77/ rifle in 22Hornet that has great accuracy. My 99/44 auto loader is good out to 75 yards.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #16 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:45:47 AM »

gold or not it has to be new

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #17 on:** February 06, 2009, 08:50:56 AM »

he said he had suppressed 4 of them and none would keep a zero or small group , said he would do the work but not warranty the accuracy .
I have seen both 22 LR and a 308 he did and they both shot good . The 308 had to be adjusted once ( what ever that means ) . If others have had good luck then i guess we know where the problem is , if its a common problem that's different .

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #18 on:** February 06, 2009, 10:48:46 AM »

Not questioning your friend's methode of adding a supressor but like the 10/22 you need to tighten the barrel locking screws evenly and to the same torque to get the best accuracy. Same goes for the action screws. He probably did it all right but I had flyers with my 10/22 when I first took mine apart and just slaped it back together.
The 308 is a different design. unless he made a 308 or 300 whisper out of a 77/44 or 77/22H. That would be cool. 30 mauser or 30 luger with a long 308 (125 to 150 grain) rifle bullet out of a short pistol action rifle. I would want one of those! with out sights please. talk about a 100 yard or less coyote rifle. Wow.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #19 on:** February 06, 2009, 11:19:28 AM »

22 was a M7722 quieter , 308 was a rem 700 uses subsonic ammo . or you still had noise to deal with less but still there . and the builder is not a friend just someone who builds suppressors . A friend owned the weapons .
The 44 seems a good choice if accy is good . i like the 300 whisper also , have seen them but never fired them .
maybe the new Ruger will be accurate .

45-70.gov · « **Reply #20 on:** February 06, 2009, 03:31:45 PM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on February 06, 2009, 08:34:55 AM

45-70 i talked to a guy that builds suppressed rifles and he said the 77/44 was not a good choice because it had accuracy problems when suppressed . Have you heard any thing to the contary ? I agree with your choice but his statement worried me .

i have never heard of accuracy issues
like someone said it is a 44 short range tool
what kind of prices does he get??

i would prefer the 77/44 to the handi i was planning when business picks back up
i may still just stay with the handi and have 2 barrels , one supressed , one not

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #21 on:** February 07, 2009, 09:11:07 AM »

last time i checked for paperwork and all around $800.00 . our work slowed down so i didn't do it yet either .

Ranger J · « **Reply #22 on:** February 08, 2009, 05:16:09 AM »

I really like 44s in a rifle and was real interested in one of these until I pulled up the Ruger page and checked on the factory price, over $700. I don't know what the 'real life' price would be but this is rather steep for what basically a 100 yard gun and I think I paid a little more than $400 for my Marlin 1894 and the 44 barrel for my Handi was around $100 and my Deerfield when new several years ago $450. I like the idea of a bolt gun in .44 but I have several other 'projects' that need funded before I would give serious consideration to ponying up for one of these. If the twist is 1 in 20 which is the same as the Deerfield and the Ruger lever gun it should handle the heaver bullets quite nicely. I have fired 300 gr XTPs out of my Deerfield which has what is probably the same rotary mag.

RJ

Reese · « **Reply #23 on:** March 04, 2009, 04:58:01 AM »

I have both a Ruger 77/44 and a Marlin 1894 in 44 Mag. I bought the Ruger 77/44 new and it is a very handy rifle. I have not been pleased with the accuracy of the Ruger though. The Marlin can keep tighter groups more consistantly at 100 yards. The best load so far for the Ruger is a hand load using the Hornady .444 265 gr bullet. With the faster twist it likes longer bullets. I have had better results with Gold Dot 270 gr and Hornady 300 gr XTP over the 240 gr XTP in the Ruger. The Marlin is less picky and more consistent.