Author Topic: Ruger semi-auto .44 cal carbine (Read 2297 times)

savageT · « **on:** May 26, 2004, 12:45:24 PM »

What's the general feelings on the Ruger .44 cal semi-auto (the one that looks like a 10/22) as far hunting white-tail is concerned? I'm talking about a gun used for woods hunting, similar to a lever-action 30-30 under 150 yds. Is it as good as a Winchester 94, Marlin lever with open sights for accuracy, and knock-down power? How does it compare to the Ruger Ranch Rifle in the same caliber?
Jim

257Robt · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2004, 05:22:19 PM »

I have never shot a deer with my 44, but I have shot at the biggest buck of my life with it. The rifle is very easy to carry and for most woods situations that I have been in, it is more than adequate. The rifle I have is accurate. The one thing I did to my rear sight was have a gun smith lock it in place, so it won't fold down. I did this as a precaution. I prefer this rifle over my 30-30. It is much lighter, or at at least in my head it seems like it. Overall I like the rifle very much and won't part with mine.

les hemby · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2004, 02:55:55 AM »

257Robert do you have old or new model?

savageT · « **Reply #3 on:** May 27, 2004, 03:51:58 AM »

Quote from: 257Robt

I have never shot a deer with my 44, but I have shot at the biggest buck of my life with it. The rifle is very easy to carry and for most woods situations that I have been in, it is more than adequate. The rifle I have is accurate. The one thing I did to my rear sight was have a gun smith lock it in place, so it won't fold down. I did this as a precaution. I prefer this rifle over my 30-30. It is much lighter, or at at least in my head it seems like it. Overall I like the rifle very much and won't part with mine.

257Robert,
What model Ruger are we speaking of? I believe it is no longer made, correct?

Jim

targshooter · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2004, 10:01:24 AM »

:grin:
I used my Ruger Deerfield for 3 years and killed two deer with it. The ranges were about 60 and 80 feet. Each was a one shot kill. This year the .44 magnum just could not get the slug through the intervening brush. Back to an 06 next year. I used a scope (2 3/4 power) for hunting, but during range sessions also used the factory provided peep sight. I sighted in at 100 yards, offhand. The rifle is quite accurate and handles very well. It is a delight to carry in the woods and comes to the shoulder easily and points well with either scope or the factory peeps. Great for close snap shots on deer.

257Robt · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2004, 02:25:10 PM »

I have the older model of 44. The one thing I forgot to mention is that my rifle will work good if you shoot shells of at least 300 grains. Tried some 240 grain shells and all it did was jam.

targshooter · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2004, 01:35:47 AM »

I and several friends owned Ruger 44 Carbines in the late 60s and early 70s. If you bought yours second hand, you may want to dissemble and clean it thoroughly, especially the magazine and cartridge loading mechanism. I say this because of your comment about the rifle only working correctly with the 300 grain loading. The original owner's manual cautioned one against using lead bullets in the firearm. My buddy did, and after several hundred shots he found it would not work with the 180 grain jacketed or 200 grain jacketed bullets, only worked with 240 grain bullets. The local gunsmith (a friend) dissembled the firearm and removed all the residue in the firearm. We all also found that the Ruger 44 Carbine needed to be completely cleaned and lubricated periodically regardless of what type of ammo it was seeing, my first copy of that firearm being very sensitive to any type of grunge in the magazine and loading mechanism. Originally, the rifle was so sensitive that it jammed after only about 150 shots, so I sent it to Ruger and they did some free service, but even after that it required a good cleaning every 500 rounds or so.

257Robt · « **Reply #7 on:** June 01, 2004, 02:43:56 AM »

I bought my 44 used. I had a gunsmith clean the rifle, and it was very dirty. The rifle shot very well with the 300 grain loads I am using. Because of this, I have not played with anything lighter. I shot the rifle before I took it to the gunsmith, so, I am sure that if I tried now, lighter shells would function properly. Sorry for not mentioning this. My bad.

savageT · « **Reply #8 on:** June 01, 2004, 04:36:52 AM »

Thanks for your inputs Guys!
257Robt.......do you believe it difficult to clean that model carbine yourself...ie. special procedures, special tools, etc.?
Jim

257Robt · « **Reply #9 on:** June 02, 2004, 01:42:21 PM »

I can't say. I had a gunsmith clean it for me. I am not very comfortable taking things apart. With my luck, I would have extra parts. (lol)

AAAJohn · « **Reply #10 on:** June 22, 2004, 02:16:47 PM »

That's what my wife uses and she wouldn't change. If something works I guess she figures leave it alone. We have a jam every now and then but she has shot at two spikes and put those two in the freezer.

DES · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2004, 05:35:10 AM »

I used an older model for a couple of years, worked great on the 2 deer I took with it. It's about perfect for hunting the brush IMO.