Ruger 44 mag carbine at the range

SF VET · Jun 20, 2022

I have wanted one of these for decades, probably 40 or more years, to match my 1022, which I bought in 1965. So about 6 months ago, my local Cabela's found one in Minn, and had it sent to my SC store, where I paid about $1150 or so for a really nice rifle. Pristine, spotless bore, no rust anywhere, although I had to source a new front bead sight and had my local gunsmith install it, as it was snapped off.

Fully cleaned it after a full strip, and now finally sourced some Starline brass, and with Hornady 240gr XTP JHP's, took it out to a state range, a gorgeous 40 mile drive thru the woods and hills and curves and valleys, past the forests and fences, one curve after another. I think this UpState backwoods road dates to before the Revolutionary war, just has some asphalt on it now.

Same road where a few days ago, lacerated a rear sidewall of my Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifloglio, where I had no cell reception. But eventually got it home, and new tire under warranty, so was anxious to run it again. I enjoy driving there and back as much as I enjoy shooting. Also took today a PSA 223 to zero a Vortex dot.

My cabine really kicks so I protect my aging shoulder with a pad, and it didn't take too many rounds to zero my Ruger at 50 yards. I no longer hunt but that seems like a nice reasonable range for a zero.

So, here is my "Grail" rifle. I wonder if Ruger made them again, would they sell well, even if expensive.

Here, my new-to-me first generation, tube mag 44 Mag carbine.

all the best... SF VET

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dsf · Jun 20, 2022

I had their later version, the mag fed Deerfield. Never could get the darn thing to shoot well and the OCD (or cheapness) in me hated losing brass. Bought the 96/44 instead.

They do have a bit more kick than one would imagine.

Drm50 · Jun 20, 2022

I bought one back when 1st out. Sighted in at 100 with 240 Rem JSPs. It shot about 2.5” at 100yds. I like the rifle but never shot a deer with it. Just a few years ago I had two at the same time. I sold them for $350@. It wasn’t a week and Ohio announced a new deer season. They made straight case cartridges 38cal minimum legal. This gun would have made ideal deer gun for Ohio. We had been slug only. Most shots are less than 100yds.
I would much carry any good rifle, even if single shot than a shotgun.

Engine49guy · Jun 20, 2022

Congrats on your new aquisition.

When I was in 5th grade I remember going straight to the gun section whenever my folks took us to Sears, back then I had my eye on a shiney new Ruger 10/22 I wanted very badly, My folks were firm that it was BB guns only until 6th grade.
On one occasion I went to the gun section to drool on my beloved 10/22 but noticed it had a muzzle bore that I could almost put my pinky down, this began my fascination with the Ruger .44 Magnum carbine and I thought to myself...One day I will own one of those 44's too.
I still have that 10/22 with its barrel roll stamp that says "Made in the 200th year of American Liberty" and have since added three .44 Magnum carbines, two early examples with the old "Sour dough" front site insert and one very late production example.
IIRC these were reportedly very expensive to produce, still remember the magazine ad with Bill Ruger dressed in camouflage posing in front of a huge Silver back Gorilla he took with it.
Always wondered why they never offered one in .357 Magnum, Stainless steel even better.
Was tempted to add a "Deerfield .44 carbine" when they came out but thats really more of a 44 caliber mini 14.

tmd17 · Jun 20, 2022

Another one of my wish list guns, but my gut won't let me pay over a grand for one. And when they do show up in my neck of the woods that command a bit more than what the op paid.

Nice catch, and very nice write up!!

sigp220.45 · Jun 20, 2022

Engine49guy said:
IIRC these were reportedly very expensive to produce, still remember the magazine ad with Bill Ruger dressed in camouflage posing in front of a huge Silver back Gorilla he took with it.

It wasn’t Bill Ruger, but it was a great ad.

I don’t get any great apes in my yard, but I do get the occasional bear. Mine stands ready at the back door.

ajgunner · Jun 20, 2022

Maybe you remember seeing this one of wild Bill with a 44 carbine.

dmar · Jun 21, 2022

I deer hunted with one back in the 80s. It was a good woods gun, and accurate enough for the distances I was shooting.

Too bad they don’t make them anymore. The Henry .44mag lever rifle would be a good choice for that type of gun today.

rockquarry · Jun 21, 2022

I had two of the original "Deerstalker" carbines over the years. One purchased new around 1975 for about $135.00 was used in my early experimentation with cast bullets. The second one I picked up barely used about twenty-five years ago. Both are long gone.

These guns had a neat look about them about them and were probably good 100 yard deer carbines, though I never took any game with mine. They actually shot cast bullets reasonably well and I never had a problem with gas port clogging when using such bullets, a warning often repeated, perhaps by many who had no experience with these guns.

Overall cartridge length is critical with the carbines. As I recall, the magazine would not handle the longer overall lengths that were often used in revolvers, but that's a small point. Other than the limited hunting range, these are good guns, the looks and handiness of which are ruined with a scope. I never tried one of the aperture rear sights, but in retrospect that would probably be the best sighting equipment for the Ruger if one's eyes were up to the task.

BAM-BAM · Jun 21, 2022

I have a Ruger Ranch in .357 handy little rifle for Penn's Woods with it's 5rd rotary magazine ..... would love a semi "5/.357 carbine".

NYlakesider · Jun 21, 2022

My best friend since first grade and hunting companion died (2002) and both his son, daughter and wife were in agreement that rifle should come to me. I have it in my safe, only fired it once since I got it.

He harvested a lot of deer with that little gun, it was quite appropriate for the heavily wooded area we hunted in. He got the gun new mid 70s!

Bill was a very good shot and his gun was quite accurate. It had one of the good pivot mounts that actually held a good zero with the 2 1/2 scope he had on it!

mauser9 · Jun 21, 2022

Probably the handiest woods/brush gun for deer and boar. Always liked them myself. Recall them selling new for $119 way back. Really caught on with hunters/collectors these days. Glad the OP got one.

swagmeister · Jun 21, 2022

A "grail gun" indeed. I don't remember the last time I saw one for sale anywhere. Great looking firearm. Enjoy it in good health.

Drm50 · Jun 21, 2022

A note on Cast Bullets in the Original 44 Ruger carbine. The warning is for people that don’t clean their rifle. You can shoot jackets and probably never clean as long as you keep action lubed. I have bought these rifles on the cheap because they had “problems”. The problem was always gas port and lead bullets. Most handloaders are smart enough to know what problem is.
Joe Sixgun buys factory lead ammo without giving it a thought. This mostly because Lead Bullet is the cheapest box of 44mg. Doesn’t maintain the rifle and in a couple or three years when he pulls it out of the closet, it has problems. Nothing a deep cleaning won’t cure. I have never bought one of
these with problem that looked like it had ever been out of the stock. As all early Ruger products, they are hard to beat.

martyd · Jun 21, 2022

I put a lot of rounds through one many years ago and regret getting rid of it.

If you want to have fun.

Go out late in the day when the sun is low in the sky and "bright" and to your back. Shoot the carbine and you will be able to see the sun reflecting off the base of the bullet as it travels to its target. Not quite a tracer but close and fun to see.

PALADIN85020 · Jun 21, 2022

As many of you know, there were actually two types of Ruger .44 Magnum carbines.

Here's a pic of the two. The top one is the original, and the lower one is the one based on the mini-14 action. This one belongs to me, still unfired in the original box.

John

Heinz · Jun 21, 2022

Nice rifle, Thanks for posting. Now that you have it in the SC upstate, do not forget your friends on the forum if you get bored with it &#55357;&#56898;

NYlakesider · Jun 21, 2022

PALADIN85020 said:
As many of you know, there were actually two types of Ruger .44 Magnum carbines.

Here's a pic of the two. The top one is the original, and the lower one is the one based on the mini-14 action. This one belongs to me, still unfired in the original box.

John

I had a chance a few years ago to get one of the rare Ruger 44 Magnum Carbine with Mannlicher stock. I was a few minutes late!

That is not a gun you see much of.

dave1918a2 · Jun 21, 2022

I think it was around 77 that I took a Ruger 44 Mag International Carbine ( full Mannlicher stock) on trade on the advice of My gun show buddy. Fun shooting, but I found out soon it had an upper limit to My reloads. My top loads in My SBH would jam the thing pretty good. So I used My S&W loads with no problems. Let My GS Buddy talk Me out of it and I think He still has it.

Drm50 · Jun 21, 2022

I’ve owned several Ruger Carbines through the years and always shot my
SBH loads with no problems. A 240gr JHP over 22.5 gr of H-2400. Just couple years ago I bought a pound of H-110. Had been ready it was better powder for carbine loads. In past always tuned whatever 44 carbine I had to the SBH load. Never got around to H-110 and sold my Marlin 1894SR.

Ruger 44 mag carbine at the range

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