Hornady 240gr. XTP load for Ruger 77/44 sought

[Sara Noh]

This question is for those with Ruger 77/44 rifles, I am seeking a load for Hornady 240gr. XTP that gives the best accuracy in this rifle. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I have several lever action rifles in 44 Mag, but not a 77/44. Interesting rifles though and I've considered them more than a few times.

The 240gr Hornady HP/XTP is an excellent bullet and has generally proven tops in accuracy in about every gun I've shot it in.

I like Blue Dot for moderate power loads loads, around 14.3-14.5gr.

WW296 @ 23.5gr is my usual "go to" load for a first try in about any 44 Mag application and is a good powder if you want top end 44 Mag power.

 

[buck460XVR]

WW296 @ 23.5gr is my usual "go to" load for a first try in about any 44 Mag application and is a good powder if you want top end 44 Mag power.

Same here. It's my "go to" hunting round in both the P.C. 629 and the Rossi carbine. I use it(or it's twin sister H110) under both the XTP and Nosler 240 grainers with similar results.

 

[Skip Sackett]

For Indiana's new deer rifle season?

There has been a lot of those rifles showing up in our state lately because using them for deer hunting was recently allowed. If memory serves me right, you live in the southern part of Indiana. One thing at our local range has shown up with those rifles though. It would seem that even with the best loads some have a hard time getting groups under 4" @ 100 yards. I had a Handi-Rifle and now have several Marlins. I am working with a lead load right now and still working that out.

I have several friends that have been successful with their Marlins coupled with loads I have loaded. My "goto" round for full power is this: Any jacketed 240gr SP or SPHP or HP and 20.3gr of AA#9. Out of the lever guns I can safely attain over 1700fps! Now that is moving for that weight of bullet!


What did pinky say the other day? "If that don't get 'er done........"

 

[buck460XVR]

My "goto" round for full power is this: Any jacketed 2340gr SP or SPHP or HP and 20.3gr of AA#9. Out of the lever guns I can safely attain over 1700fps! Now that is moving for that weight of bullet!

Who makes that 2340grn bullet....and what is the OAL? A 1/3# chunk of lead and gilding metal in .44 caliber traveling at 1700 fps would bring a whole new meaning to "hand cannon".

LOL.......just couldn't resist.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Fat finger disease!

Who makes that 2340grn bullet....and what is the OAL? A 1/3# chunk of lead and gilding metal in .44 caliber traveling at 1700 fps would bring a whole new meaning to "hand cannon".

LOL.......just couldn't resist.

I'll fix it! what can I say, I've got gorilla hands!

 

[S/W - Lifer]

While I don't have a 77/44, I have used 23 grains of H-110 powder and both Speer and Hornady XTP 240 grain hollowpoints in my Ruger .44 Magnum autoloading carbine. I'm very pleased with the accuracy of both gun and ammunition. I used Winchester large pistol primers in these loads. My testing was done at both 50 and 100 yards.

 

[tdan]

This load is my hunting/accuracy load in my Ruger 96 lever action. I believe your 77/44 uses the same barrel.

240gr. Hornady XTP
23.5gr. of H-110
WLP primer in Speer cases.

Slower powders like H-110 come to life in that 18.5" barrel. These loads clock 1720 fps in my 96. That's 1576 ft/lbs. of thump 'em.

I really need to work up some loads with gas-checked leads for this gun. Those XTP's are getting a bit pricy to plink with. Hope this helps.

 

[tdan]

Smith crazy.............I've always thought part of the problem with getting Ruger carbines to shoot well were those ridiculously heavy triggers. The 96 has a heavy trigger return spring that is simply unnecessary. I replaced mine with a thin wired coil spring not much stronger than what you would find in a ball point pen. The trigger now has zero take-up and breaks like glass at 2lbs. It's a very shootable gun. The target that I pulled that load data from was an 8-shot group at 50 yds. 6 shots went into 7/8" with a couple of flyers that opened the group up to an inch and a half. I'm only a mediocre rifle shot. I'm sure a good rifleman could keep everything into one ragged hole.

 

[steveno]

I had a Browning M-92 and it shot the Hornady 265 grain soft point better than any 240 grain bullet. recoil was a little snappy but not uncomfortable

 

[Mule88]

Ive used 24 gn of H110 with very good results in my marlin guide gun.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Lil' Gun may just be the answer for you Sarah!

I have been experimenting with my Marlin 1894 Cowboy Special and have found some interesting results.

#1 It don't like lead driven hard!

#2 It seems that the choice of powder makes a difference in point of impact.

#3 Hornady XTP's hit just about where the Remington 240gr SP bullets do on the target.

#4 Both seem to be very accurate at "Indiana Deer Hunting Range", which is usually under 100 yards.

#5 Lil' Gun seems to be "THE" powder for my rifle.

I sighted my rifle in at 50 yards. I used 24gr (about .5gr under maximum) of Lil' Gun with the Remington bullets and had a group where they were all touching. Recoil was nice and even. Not sharp and jolting. I switched to the Hornady's with the same charge of powder under them. Same point of impact. Cool, two loads that I could take to the field without having to worry about re-sighting in my rifle.

I went home and cleaned all of my 44mag brass and loaded all of the bullets I have. Now, all I need is deer season! ( I wonder if this load will work for squirrels? That season starts in just a couple of weeks! )

 

[buck460XVR]

#3 Hornady XTP's hit just about where the Remington 240gr SP bullets do on the target.

I've found the same to be true with the Nosler 240 grainers and XTPs, at least out to 50 yards and load them the same.