Any experience with Ruger 77/44?

by rob @, Friday, November 06, 2015, 19:23 (3244 days ago)

Got one a couple weeks ago and just got to shoot it today. Right now I only have one load that I can run in it that I have loaded and that's 240 Deep Curl over 21.5 grains WC820. My other loads are Keith loads and they won't fit the mag. The DC hand load will put two rounds side by side and then throw a couple flyers but I haven't had time to experiment with it yet. I want one good jacketed load now that will work on deer and hogs and not come apart and after that's resolved I'll start playing with cast bullets that fit...maybe the Thompson bullet seated in the top groove and some LBT types. So if you've had one and your gun had a preference I'd love to hear it. Jim Nelson mentioned the 265 Hornady for the .444 and that might be a great bullet if it's accurate. I just wonder if at .44 Mag rifle velocities if it would open reliably. I shot a few through a formerly owned .444 Marlin but never shot anything with them. I put a 1.5-5 VX-3 on it and it's the perfect scope for this little rifle but I had to lap the rings to get more than a couple threads into the lower rings. I've never had that issue with Ruger rings before but they are down good and tight now. I suspect it will shoot better with the pressure pad removed from the fore-end tip and the barrel floated...mine is the blue/walnut Accusport run. The trigger is clean and crisp but a bit heavy for my taste. I'll probably address that too. Anyhow, I'd love to hear about your experience with one if you've had one, and if you hunt with any .44 rifle, what bullet or bullets do you favor? I used to just run cast in my former .44 Mag Marlin and Winchester leverguns and will probably go to that with this one in the future but unfortunately I don't have the time to cast right now. Thanks guys.

Guess I'll have to blaze the trail on this one....

by rob @, Monday, November 09, 2015, 08:01 (3242 days ago) @ rob

This week my plan is to remove the pressure pad from the fore-end tip and be sure the barrel is sufficiently floated. Then I'll coat the inside of the stock with marine spar varnish to seal it....something not done from the factory on the wood stock. That should eliminate the flyers. Another thing I've read on these rifles in my searching is it helps to eliminate barrel jump and bounce when benching it by holding the fore-end consistently between the stock and sandbags just as you would if shooting offhand or in the field. That makes sense and I've had the same issues with leverguns in .44. The recoil from a .44 plus the relatively slow bullet (compared to a high power rifle round) leaves a lot of barrel time and inconsistencies in hold and bench technique are what cause the flyers...supposedly. We shall see what we shall see and I will report back. As for bullet choices, I can't find Deep Curl bullets of 240 or 270 grain at Midway or Midsouth so I have some 300 XTP's on the way and I'll try some 240 XTP's as well...have a lot of them. We'll double check my 240 Deep Curl load after I float the barrel and try some XTP's so I don't waist my remaining stock.

Got the barrel floated tonight...

by rob @, Monday, November 09, 2015, 21:22 (3241 days ago) @ rob

And the first coat of marine spar varnish in the barrel channel...and a bit in the mag well where it was probably sealed but looked a bit thin. I'll put a second coat on in the morning and put it back together tomorrow night. I have some 300 grain XTP's on the way...should be here by Wednesday. We'll see if I can get some decent velocity and accuracy out of them. If so I would imagine the 300's ought to hold together on hogs pretty well...hopefully, but one problem at a time for now:)

Dad has one.

by Hoot @, Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Monday, November 09, 2015, 11:54 (3241 days ago) @ rob

Trouble is, I don't know enough about it to give you anything helpful. I do know it's a favorite of my grand-daughters! One of them will be carrying it for deer this coming weekend.

Dad has one.

by rob @, Monday, November 09, 2015, 12:36 (3241 days ago) @ Hoot

I like this one so much I WILL figure it out. This little rifle is so handy, points like a shotgun and hangs on target very well. I plan to make it a primary hunting rifle.

I sent a note to Dad.

by Hoot @, Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Monday, November 09, 2015, 20:29 (3241 days ago) @ rob

I asked, "A fellow was asking about loads, bullets and various and sundry information for the 77/44. About all I had was, "Dad has one."

Anything you can share with him about what yours likes?"

His reply:
"You will have to talk with the grandchildren (yours). I've been loading Nosler jacketed hollow points,(200gr. and 240gr.) close to the top as shown in the manual. For lighter recoil, .44 Spec. with the same bullets."

Cool....

by rob @, Monday, November 09, 2015, 21:09 (3241 days ago) @ Hoot

I hope they do well with it this weekend! If so send up a pic and tell me about it:)

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