anyone out there use, hunt with, shoot a ruger 96/44? If so how do you like? How does it compare to the Winchesters and marlins? a will it shoot 44 spl?
and on the older models where is the safety located?
Thanks

Dave

I have one for hogs with a 1.5 to 4.5 Bushnell and really like it. Good shoter for a short little gun, handles fast. haven't tried 44spl in it, but I do know SWC bullets generally catch on the feed ramp at the front of the mag. The safety on mine is on the front of the trigger guard like a 10/22.

The fastest and easiest lever in the business. Can eject and reload with little finger, and that is no joke. Accuracy is capable of hitting a coke can at 100 yards using gas checked cast. I say gas checked because the chamber is quite large in both diameter and length. I had a boolit made for the gun, which looks like a 240 grain Speer. This is to get around the hang-up problem with the band on a SWC grabbing the chamber entrance from the magazine. ... felix

Dave,
I have owned a few lever action rifles over the years and have a soft spot for Marlins. That said I owned a 96/44 Ruger and it is by far the smoothes lever action I have ever handled. I am sorry I sold the gun and have tried to buy it back from the guy I sold it to but he won't turn loose of it. (that is Kentucky for he won't sell it back to me ) I don't know about the 44 special but if you reload load down the 44 mag. cases. Good luck and good shooting, Bryan