I recently picked up a 44 carbine at my local shop. The first trip to the range produced jams each 2nd or 3rd shot. After a cleaning, jams were reduced to 1 in 5. I am shooting 180gr reloads from a local shop that has always produced dependable ammo.
Do you think that I may have a worn extractor? or should I be trying a 240gr load?
If I can get rid of the jams this carbine will become my youngest sons whitetail deer rifle.
Thanks for listening.
Rick

What brand ammo are you useing? I used to have to use Remington 240 gr. because Winchester jam ( as in not feed well ). Norma 240 gr. worked fine also.

As above, try switching ammo. Son has a semi auto 44 mag as well and will cycle PMC or Winchester 240's but will balk and short cycle with Remington, this maybe your problem.

hth

Your problem is directly related to your use of the store-bought reloads. Use them only in your revolvers. In an auto-loader, you need close to max to get rid of the jams. Most store bought reloads are under powered. Use only the 240-300 gr loaded factory stuff. Use some factory jacketed rounds and your rifle will perk up. BTW, with the Ruger, I suggest using only jacketed bullets. I'd tried some semi-wadcutters in mine and they hung up evey other round. Nose would catch on the feeding ramp.

Semi-autos will always be more picky and sensitive to ammunition than their manually operated cousins.

When you say “jamming†are you talking about failures to feed, or failures to extract and/or eject?

My first deer rifle was a 44 Ruger Deerstalker.
This was in the 1960's. I started out using 240 factory loads by WW, Rem. and Norma. Later I used reloads with 2400 and H-110. Always with 240 grain bullets. I never had any problems.
Out to about 125 yards that rifle killed deer as well as any rifle I have ever used.
The rifle works best with full power loads.
Try some of the Federal 240 grain loads or if big pigs are on the menu some 270 Speer's.

A freind brought one over to me for the same problem. I gave it a good cleaning and it worked well after that.

Take it apart clean and oil it.

Then I would try some good 240 gr loads.

Don't overlook the gasport, this is usually the culprit! ESPECIALLY if it has been shooting cast bullets!

Thanks for the replies. The jam is always a failure to extract and is probably related to gas pressure or bullet weight. I will try to get out today with some 240gr loads. If that does not work, I will do another takedown and cleaning. When I had it apart before I did not mess with the gas port as this looks a bit complicated with its two roll pins. Is there a way to clean the port without removing the gas block from the barrel?
Thanks
Rick

Good News !! I just got back from the range and the ruger performed flawlessly. My own reloads consisting of Hornady's 240gr XTP over 20.2grs of 2400 and Sierra's 220gr FPJ over 25.1grs of IMR4227 both in remington cases fired without jamming. I guess the 180gr reloads are just too light to cycle the action reliably. Thanks for your help guys.
Rick

Without knowing the to be fact I would speculate that the 180's are too fast to allow harmony with the pressure curve required to cycle the action. Proper function in gas guns requires a specific parameter of time and pressure, or more specifically a more narrow range of loads, both bullet weight and powder type. IIRC the older Hornady manuals stipulated data for this rifle that was a more narrow range than for pistols or the Contender for this reason. The top end was a strong load, but not really maximum IIRC. 240's in the range of 1500-1900 fps, minimum weight of 200 grains, max of 300.

cricker

Glad you've solved your problem. Like I said before, stay away from store-bought reloads.

I have shot 180gr loads in my Ruger Carbine without any problems. They were loaded using HDY XTP bullets & using load info for a 44 rifle not a pistol. Some manuals have both a listing for pistol & rifle use. There is usually not much difference in the data, but worth looking at if you want to shot the 180's.

I've had really good luck with the Remington 240 grain factory loads in 3 different Ruger 44 Carbines. There are few nicer handling still hunting deer rifles than a 44 International.

Jeff

I've a .44 International. It likes full power 240 grn jacketed loads.I've only had an occasional jam and usually after an extended shoot and she gets a bit dirty. I like 25 grns H110 and a 240 jsp. Topped with a CompC red dot she is bad news for whitetails in the thickets.

The 270 gr Speer Gold Dot works well in mine and it is a pretty tough bullet too.