Ruger 44 mag. on hogs

[frgerald]

I have been mulling over finding a Ruger auto carbine in 44 mag. to use for hogs in Texas.  Anyone out there have any experience with this?  I have a number of SS H&R's but wanted the auto to have quick second shots at night 'cuz they scatter like quail at the first shot.  I have a Puma lever action 454 Casull carbine but don't want to put a scope on it....at least not yet. 

Thx for any info.

[Booyah]

I have a Ruger Auto and it is great on hogs. I carry it and a S&W 629 Handgun.   The ruger is great for the faster shots but getting that second shot is not always easy. The hogs scatter pretty fast on the first shot. I would say about 75-100 yards is as far as I would push the 44.   I wouldn't think that 100 yard shot on a large hog would be the best situation for it but I haven't tried it on a hog that far.  Mine will shoot about a 3" group at 100 yards with factory loads and I am going to try to come up with some reloads to see if I can get it any better.  But in the 50-75 yard range they are great.

[frgerald]

Booyah,

Thanks for the help.  After looking at the prices everyone seems to want for a Ruger 44 carbine, I may just spend a few extra bucks and get the Browing BAR in 308 or 7mm-08.  Nothing is set in stone yet tho'. 

What area of ET are you?  I was a Highway Patrolman in Tyler a number of years ago but haven't lived in ET since '88.  I am in the DFW area in Bedford now. 

[Booyah]

I live just west of Longview.  I have noticed that the Ruger Carbines are bringing a good price, I bought mine about 18 years ago and I have several times thought of selling but I will start shooting it some and I always decide to keep it.    I recently purchased a Ruger Mini 30  and now that is what I hog hunt with.  I would consider the Mini 30, they are a little picky on ammo as to accuracy, but you can get cheap ammo for it.  Depending on the range you are wanting to shoot hogs, the Mini 30 should do great.

[frgerald]

The minimum range would be 100-125 yards +/- until they break, then it could go 150 or higher.  This rifle would be for use in the NC area of Texas in open fields of 2-3 hundred acres.  At night from that distance, they just scatter not knowing which way to run so you can get more than one shot, but I want solid hits and am concerned the 223 might not he heavy enough to plant one at 150 yards? 

Gerald   

[DennisB]

Gerald:  Sounds like you're hunting my kinda pasture (my place is in Stephens Co).  A buddy and I do a lot of night hunting, plain optics when the moon is good, NV and red lights on the dark of the moon.  I used a bolt 270 for the longest time, then caved in and treated myself to a R-25 in .308.  Those 2d and 3d shots are now deadlier--  IMO, the lighter calibers are iffy at a distance when solid hits aren't a sure thing. 

[frgerald]

Dennis in Ft. Worth,

How about that!  I have a friend who owns 700 acres in Stephens Co. and I also hunt there with my grandson on occasion.     His property is between Breckenridge and Eastland off Hwy. 183.

Maybe we could meet sometime for coffee and visit??  I am semi-retired now.

Gerald 

[McDerry]

The 44 mag carbine is no slouch.  Terminal energy its good till 250 yards, trajectory isn't.  My '61 ruger has always performed admirably on deer and black bear out to and past 100.

[buck460XVR]

Had a 44 auto carbine back in the late seventies. God know why I sold it. Had a few jams, but I assume it was ammo/cleaning related. With my aging eyes, the distaste for scopes on levers, and a love of pistol caliber carbines, I got the yearning to have one again a while back, and was shocked by the prices they were asking and the shape of most of them available. Friend at the LGS talked me into a new Ruger All-Weather 77/44 bolt action. Can't say I'd ever want a auto .44 again. Accuracy(at least for me) is better than I ever got with the auto and altho the ability to fire follow up shots is not quite as fast, the gun comes back on target quicker for me, thus I feel I have not given up anything. Plus I have the reliability of a bolt. JMTC

[mrussel]

The minimum range would be 100-125 yards +/- until they break, then it could go 150 or higher.  This rifle would be for use in the NC area of Texas in open fields of 2-3 hundred acres.  At night from that distance, they just scatter not knowing which way to run so you can get more than one shot, but I want solid hits and am concerned the 223 might not he heavy enough to plant one at 150 yards? 

Gerald   

 ISnt the mini 30 7.62x39?

[frgerald]

Thx guys for the input.  I have read quite a bit about the inconsistent accuracy of the .44 auto carbine plus the lack of range and decided to forget the whole idea.  I have a 454 Puma for brush hunting in short range.  re the 30 being 7.62x39...? Anyway, it is a moot point now.  I appreciate the info. 
Gerald

[Joe S.]

Mini 30 is 7.62x39

I'd suggest a ar10 in 308 for the range you are talking. Albeit a moot point.

[frgerald]

Gave up on the 44 mag. idea and decided to get a new Ranch Rifle, synthetic stock, stainless, in 6.8 SPC.  Now to get about 5 of those extra pounds neccessary to pull the trigger removed. 

[DennisB]

Gerald:  I think you done good there.  What you putting on for optics??

(We need to have that cup of coffee once this !@#$%^ arctic blast ends.  Where IS Al Gore??)

[emsemt911]

I am getting an H&R .44 Mag for the louisiana primitive season for my oldest child.
I think it will be a great gun for him as he matures and for the younger brother following his hunting footsteps.