Just loaded up 100rds. 44 mag for brother-in-law,(yes Don, it's Dale) 24grs. H110, 155 primer, Rem. brass, 240XTP. Just wondering what some of you use for a load with this weapon, and the velocities you're getting?

The books say I should be getting about 1800fps, what you say? Jay

in my '92 winchester (20" barrel) I'm getting 1850 or so with 26 grains H 110

Good question Jay. I just got two Ruger Deerfield Carbines in on Monday. I ordered 1500 bullets of various weights from Midway a few minutes ago. Surely the velocity will bump up two-three hundred feet/second in an 18" barrel.

I've had some problems getting decent accuracy out of my Ruger, which is an older model that I purchased new in '82. (Note that "decent" and "acceptable brush country hunting" accuracy differ, as the Ruger has succesfully downed every animal it's been aimed at, although none were more than 75 yards away.)

I had settled on 240 gr. Swift A-frames over 24 gr. H-110, which were giving me about 3 to 3 1/2 inches @ 100 yd. Last spring, I decided to try the 300 gr. Hornady XTPs, and loaded up some, stepping up increments from 18.4 to 20.1 gr. H-110, the former allegedly producing around 1400 fps, the latter 100 fps more. 19 gr. gave me the tightest 5-shot groups @ 100 yd. that I've ever gotten from the rifle--just under 2".

Unfortunately, there's a kicker. The loads were made up pursuant to the guidance of the Hornady manual #5, which listed 20.1 gr. of H-110 as max. The new, sixth edition gives 18.4 gr. as the max load (in both cases, loads were developed in the Ruger carbine). I realize that data in the manuals contains a margin for safety, and when I fired the heavier loads, there was no percievable difference in how the action was cycling or any other pressure signs (although pressure signs, in a rifle, at .44 mag pressures, are very difficult to detect at best, and I wouldn't disagree with anyone who said that detection, without lab equipment, was impossible). However, I'm one of those overcautious types that believes that the guys who write the manuals might really know what they're talking about, so while I think that going up to 19 gr. is probably safe, especially if the loads are used only for signting in and hunting, and lighter ones are used for practice to keep from battering the action, I can't recommend anything over 18.4 for the 300 gr--and those loads were back in the 3" range.

Whiteeagle, If you can use the lower cannelure on the 300XTPs, thus making the oal a bit longer, you can put 24grs. H110, or 25grs. 296 in the case, giving you an additional 100fps, give or take. Question is, can you seat the 300XTP to 1.755 and still function in the rifle? Knowing Ruger, I'm sure they gave the rifle plenty of throat. Try it. Jay

And another thing, if the throat on the Ruger can handle the 1.755"oal, it should be more accurate, being that it's closer to the lands, you'd think, anyway. Jay

Bullet: Sierra 240 Grain JHC
Powder: 25.8 grains of H-110
Primer: CCI-350
Case: Remington
Firearm: Ruger .44 Carbine
Optics: Leupold 1x4
Velocity: 1919 FPS @ 15' from muzzle
Accuracy: 5 shots, 50 yards, 1-1/4"

Firearm: Ruger Super Blackhawk
Optics: Open Sights
Velocity: 1607 FPS @ 15' from muzzle
Accuracy: 6 shots, 100 yards, ~5.0"