Hello I am New and I have Ruger 96/44 question

[Rob from Maryland]

I am getting sooty blackened cases all way to the rim in my Ruger 96/44. I am also getting marks from the ejector cut out on the head. I am using Winchester USA Q4240 240 gr. Is this normal, headspace problem, or low pressure cartridge problem. I called Ruger and got the woman who answers the phone and she asked someone else and said it was not an issue. I am getting an average of 1.5 inches at 50 yards. But I  get funky flyers that  vary up to 6 inches upward vertical at times. I am new to the .44 magnum round. I think that chamber is oversized and the rounds are not being supported by the chamber. The round is relying on the tinsel strength. Anybody here have this happen or know something about.

Thanks, Rob

[Lloyd Smale]

hard to say without knowing your exact load but it sounds like its just a low pressure load problem and it isnt going to hurt anything just throw the cases in the tumbler before you load em back up.

[jhm]

Rob:  Your problem may indeed be a low preasure problem, I would try a different brand of ammo. rem/ fed/ etc. and see if the problem goes away before I got too concerned yet, it sounds like the brass isnt expanding enough to seal the chamber when it is fired and gasses are getting back around them I wouldnt use any more of that ammo until I was sure everything in the gun is ok as the gasses might get back to you.   JIM

[Rob from Maryland]

Thanks for the replies.  I have not tried any other ammo except the USA brand. That Winchester USA .44 mag is the cheapest at WalMart for $18 for fifty econ box. I noticed that UMC is $22 and Federal was $23 of 25.  I am going to try both UMC and Federal. I am not going bet on the UMC as being any better than USA. From the .223 UMC experience I am have had. The  reason why I was concerned about the blackeded cases is that I noticed that on  all of the cases there was  a mark on the head and the case has buldged slighty in the middle. I do not reload but I gave them to a friend who does. Are cases safe to reload?

[jhm]

Rob:  without seeing the case it would be hard to say at this point but usually if the bulge isnt vary large the case can be reloaded, if your friend is a experienced reloader he should be able to determine their value as to that, have fun with your new rifle, keep us posted as to the results with the different ammo used.   JIM

[John Y Cannuck]

My wifes '96 blackens cases quite regular. Unless I really steam things up with the handloads. I just keep cleaning and filling them. One batch is pushing twenty reloads.
Using H110 and 240 grain bullets at Hogdons max loads.