Ruger 77/44 Carbine, Leupold scope, steel targets, I'm living a dream! (pics)....

[canoeguy]

I posted not long ago about how tickled I was with my new rifle, a Ruger 77/44 Stainless Carbine (bolt action) in .44 Magnum caliber. I had not selected a scope for it then, since I have added a Leupold Vari-XI 1X4 Shotgun scope. Spent the last couple days in the woods wringing it out, what a combination!

With iron sights, me and the rifle were good out to 50 yards, 100 yards if the target was generous. With the Leupold Shotgun scope, I am "Good to Go" well past 100 yards, fist sized rocks are doomed. The optics are clear as a bell, and the field of view is more than any other scope I have ever used. The rifle and scope combination is light, about 6.5 pounds.

Got a good deal on two pieces of target steel, 8" diameter mild steel drilled for hanging. I used up all of my scrap lumber making a hanger for one today, got it put together and set up on my rifle range. Please excuse my wood butchery. Three shots from the prone position at 100 yards with the Ruger 77/44:

Some more steel on my range, an 8" swinger, this one was made by a welding buddy some years ago, it has seen thousands of hits from pistol and pistol caliber carbines:

Some .22 steel:

I am as happy as can be with this this rifle, and my rifle range is shaping up nicely. It's great to strike out from your back door with a handy, light weight rifle that is accurate and packs a punch, shoot some if you want, don't if that suits you better. I'm living a dream....

 

[Jebus35745]

You're living the ultimate dream. The Ruger bolt 44 and 357 look interesting. How good does it shoot. Larry

 

[federali]

.44 Experience

I've hunted extensively with the Ruger .44 carbine, semi auto, 1970s vintage. A different rifle but the same caliber. Within its range of 125 yards or so, the .44 Mag does a number on deer. No need to apologize to anyone, especially the guys hunting with a rifle that can kill a county or two away.

 

[holo]

You are living my dream please keep posting pics of your rifle range

 

[Watchdog]

Wow. You aren't just living a dream...you're living my dream. Great rifle.

A long time ago, my best friend and I built our own pistol and rifle range out in the woods. We shot at least once a week for years. My friend is gone now, and our old range is covered with little look-alike houses, but your photos made me smile. Thanks for the memories.

 

[ACP230]

I'll take one in .41 Magnum, please.
Would go well with my Marlin 1894FG and the Smith and Ruger
.41 revolvers hanging around.

 

[hardluk1]

Sweet deer/bear/hog rifle and could use more scope as you can make some really solid shots at far longer than 125 yards . I'll do that with a red dot equipped revolver . 1900fps for 240gr and 2250fps for 180gr are easily reached and carry well at longer range . You might try zero to 150 yards for hunting. I have a older single shot with an old 2.5-10 on it and load may own Hot loads for hunting or slow poke cowboy loads makes them fun on steel for the younger kids .

Enjoy , great woods and creek rifle .

 

[BAM-BAM]

My "utility rifle" at our cabin is a Ruger 77/357 topped with a Weaver 1-3x20 scope..... Great general purpose rifle....... have seen numerous comments that w/ the 16+ inch barrel a 158gr .357 picks up several hundred FPS in velocity and comes "close" to a 30-30 in power inside 100yds.

My general carry in the Alleghenys is a .357 revolver generally a 3 or 4 inch Model 66. So extra ammo is good for both

Check out Skinner Sights they make a rear barrel mounted peep sight that far better than the factory rear sight...... also added a fiber optic front sight.

I also keep an MTM "Ammo wallet" or two in the RZR ....... with a mix of 158gr .357 for the rifle or revolver and +P .38 JHPs for the revolver.

 

[tbgunner88]

That's a nice setup you have there (gun and range), I don't have any experience with the Ruger 77 but if it's anything like old auto 44 carbine then it will make a handy little rifle.

 

[Frizzman]

I have lived in The Old Dominion on the shore of the Atlantic all my life, except for four years in the military. When I was a kid, the special place to travel was the Blueridge Parkway. I see the ocean most days but I dream of the mountains...Yes, you know you are a lucky man.

I traded for a four inch Redhawk to go with my 77/44 last December. I love the pistol and carbine in the same chambering idea and have a few of those combos. The .44 Magnum is a very flexible cartridge and a great one for us reloaders. I don't hunt anymore but it would make a super deer carbine.