Hi. I might have a chance tomorrow to shoot an original Ruger Carbine .44 Magnum that I recently inherited. It will be a function test for the rifle, as well as the original scope and a new Safari Sling. I'm planning on shooting at least 50 rds, and was wondering if you could help me as to what type of load might be best for the sole purpose of function. Should I load them closer to the high or the low end? If it matters, I'll be using either LONGSHOT or LIL'GUN, WLP primers and Winchester brass with Nosler 240gr JSP.

Thanks.

You should download a manual for your carbine at the ruger website...its free. You will need to be on the upper end of the loading..

I use 240gr Speer gold dot bullets, over 24gr of H110, with cci mag primers. It is a max load from the speer manual and it works great in my Deerfield carbine.. I had one of the original 44 carbines years ago and let it slip away...used to use max loads in it as well...

The 240 speers are accurate in that load in my carbine... fun to shoot, and a short range deer and hog killer for sure...

Good luck with yours..

Z

quote:

Originally posted by zeeriverrat1:
You should download a manual for your carbine at the ruger website...its free. You will need to be on the upper end of the loading..

I use 240gr Speer gold dot bullets, over 24gr of H110, with cci mag primers. It is a max load from the speer manual and it works great in my Deerfield carbine.. I had one of the original 44 carbines years ago and let it slip away...used to use max loads in it as well...

The 240 speers are accurate in that load in my carbine... fun to shoot, and a short range deer and hog killer for sure...

Good luck with yours..

Z

I just got done searching for and reading info on loads for this rifle. All info I saw pretty much agrees with what you're saying about hot loads being the ticket. I'm thinking of loading 30 or so a bit over medium, and increment .2gr every other 5 cartridges. That should get me close to the high end with the last 5.

Thank you.

Do not use light loads. I tried some I had for my Super Blackhawk and the Rifle will pull off the case heads. Running near book max has given good results. Also no cast bullets, they will clog gas port.
Mark

I shoot my 44 carbine quite a bit, I have a 71 finger groove sporter, my loads are near the top end but not showing pressure signs as I loaded for accuracy not velocity. My recommendation would develop some loads using 296/h110 cci 350 primers, my personal bullet choice is a 270 deepcurl speer. My rifle shoots ragged holes if I do my part

Do not use powders like longshot in the rifle for they are too fast a burn rate. Lil Gun is a good powder but its very hot and haven't played with it in the carbine.

quote:

Originally posted by Seasons44:
I shoot my 44 carbine quite a bit, I have a 71 finger groove sporter, my loads are near the top end but not showing pressure signs as I loaded for accuracy not velocity. My recommendation would develop some loads using 296/h110 cci 350 primers, my personal bullet choice is a 270 deepcurl speer. My rifle shoots ragged holes if I do my part

Do not use powders like longshot in the rifle for they are too fast a burn rate. Lil Gun is a good powder but its very hot and haven't played with it in the carbine.

Not sure we're talking about the same thing: mine is a Ruger semi-auto, and the cycling of the action depends on the ammo for timing, AFAIK.

I develop loads exclusively for accuracy in my bolt action rifles. That is what I enjoy the most with my guns.

Thanks.

Same exact gun, they made 4 versions of the ruger carbine.

quote:

Originally posted by Seasons44:
Same exact gun, they made 4 versions of the ruger carbine.

My bad. The "71 finger groove sporter" threw me off. I understand now why you don't recommend LONGSHOT. My 1st choice of bullet was the 270gr Speer, but I haven't been able to find any; I'm on notice for when they come in at Midway.
As for different versions of the gun, my uncle had one with a full stock (manlicher?). I believe Ruger calls these stocks 'International'. Beautiful gun, but probably a bit heavier.

Thanks for the info.

Hi. Just wanted to report the results of my 1st session with this rifle. I loaded everything at a C.O.A.L of 1.577" with a strong crimp just to the forward edge of the cannelure. I used Lil'Gun to fill 26 rds. w/22.5 grs., 8 rds. w/22.8 grs., 8 rds. w/23 grs., and 8 rds. w/23.2 grs.
The rifle functioned perfectly with all loads, with 22.5 grs. being the most accurate.

Thank you all for your help.

I've shot thousands of rounds of 240 grain cast and jacketed bullets thru a Ruger with 22.5 grains of 2400.

My first Centerfire rifle was a Ruger 44 Mag Deer Stalker.

This was in the 1960's. I killed a LOT of deer with that rifle.

It shot great with the Winchester 240 gr 44 Mag Hollow Soft Point ammo, the Remington 240gr SP, and their 240gr SJHP.
Over the years, I used several different 240gr Jacketed HP and SP bullets over either 22.5gr of {old} 2400, and later 24gr of H-110.

It killed deer like the Hammer of Thor.

I have also killed a few pigs with a Winchester Trapper in 44 Mag.

The 44 Mag in a rifle is indead a SERIOUS HAMMER...

With the proper bullets I would not hesitate to use it for Brown Bear protection on Kodiak Island.

I have used it for Grizzly Bear protection in Montana.

It is the Perfect lightweight Camp rifle for a fella, or gal, that also carries a 44 Mag revolver...

This rifle killed a 370 lb. black bear up in New Hampshire in 1966.