44 Ruger Carbine accuracy idea

[snapbang]

Ive had my Ruger 44mag for a very long time. Still has a cycling problem now and then but I keep working at it. Accuracy has always been reasonable but nothing to write home about. So today I tried this.

I noticed when I inserted the steel into the recoil lug at the rear of the wood stock there was quite a bit of resistance to get the barrel down into the stock and install the barrel band. To relieve this I took off the butt plate and loosened the screw that holds this recoil lug and tried iinstalling the metal again. This time the metal settled into the wood nicely.

I mixed up a little Bondo and smeared some between the wood stock and the recoil lug. I inserted the steel and let the Bondo harden with no pressure on the barrel assembly. After the bondo hardened I tightened the screw to the recoil lug and installed the barrel band. Best shooting I've ever done with this gun. 3-4 inch groups to 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 at 100 yards.

Just a thought

 

[Widude]

My neighbor has used the Ruger 44 mag rifle for a long time, it worked ok, often 50 yard shots.

He had a few potentially longer range hunts coming up, he moved to a 308.

 

[TiggerLueb]

I have one of the original Ruger 44 carbines and snapbang I understand the issue that you were faced with.
I will have to try your recoil lug trick when I do an annual maintenance on it. My rifle LOVES 180 grain bullets and I load up Hornady XTP's to factory specs to get 2' groups at 100 yards.

 

[snapbang]

I agree its not a long range gun. My longest shot from my blind is 120 yards and frankly Id rather not go past 100 with this gun. I have killed a pile of deer with it though. Next year I will be using my Knight Bighorn or Knight Elite hopefully with some of sdporters bullets. I ended up moving over the last several months and that really boogered up my summer. As soon as the deer season is over my intention is to burn powder wholesale.

Just thought I would share the accuracy tip with everyone.

If bottle neck rifle cartridges were legal here I would be using my .243 Winchester with 100gr. Nosler Partitions. Ive used that gun and bullet in Wyoming over 30 years and was always satisfied. Some have suggested I would regret it some day but that hasn't happened yet.

 

[snapbang]

My rifle LOVES 180 grain bullets and I load up Hornady XTP's to factory specs to get 2' groups at 100 yards.

I would say your good to go. 2" groups are fine for the range we can shoot deer with these. But I understand. Always trying to get a little better.

I have an inventory of 44 Mag. Bullets trying to find 1 that cycles properly. I haven't found one yet. Im shooting PPU 240gr. Those are the first ones I tried through the newly "bedded" lug. They shoot great and I haven't had time to pursue this issue much more.

I read a long time ago there was a fellow on the east coast that could get rid of that cycling problem. I understood he is retired. If you know such a person I would be pleased to have the name.

 

[GLenn]

I also have the Ruger 44 carbine and cycling I believe was a universal issue with them. I contacted Ruger many years ago, early 80's or so, and was told to only use the 240 gr Remington ammo and I don't think that worked flawless. Haven't shot it for many years but this thread has renewed my interest and I may have to get it out and shoot an eastern Virginia whitetail doe.
Thanks for the reminder.

 

[TiggerLueb]

GLeen I am thinking about it too. I have some time before the Missouri Antlerless season to get acclimated to shooting it again.

 

[snapbang]

I shot a spike with it this morning. He only went 40 yards and piled up. But he was so close I could have thrown the gun at him and killed him. Powder burns on the fur kind of thing. It did cycle properly, this time. Im going to study the schematics to see if I can find a solution.

 

[scienceguy]

I had a Ruger 44 carbine for a time that really shot the Hornady Leverevolution very well. It would shoot a three shot group under an inch at 100 yards all day long.

 

[snapbang]

I had a Ruger 44 carbine for a time that really shot the Hornady Leverevolution very well. It would shoot a three shot group under an inch at 100 yards all day long.

Did they cycle through the action properly??????

 

[scienceguy]

No problem with function, always chambered, always ejected.

 

[snapbang]

When and If they are ever available again I will give them a try.
Thanks.

 

[Jbrown69]

I had a Ruger 44 carbine for a time that really shot the Hornady Leverevolution very well. It would shoot a three shot group under an inch at 100 yards all day long.

How well was the kill on these. Bullets? I have a Ruger 96 44 and been using Winchester 250 grn platinum supreme. The accuracy is good at 100. Looking for flatter trajectory with decent terminal effects.

 

[scienceguy]

I have taken two deer with them. One at around 25 yards and the other maybe 70-75 yards. Complete pass through, short blood trail. I set a limit of 100 yards or so for their use. They would probably take a deer a bit further away, but they are not exactly the best choice for longer shots. Those .44 carbines are handy in dense woods though.....light, easy to maneuver, low recoil. I used those tipped bullets thinking I'd get better bullet flight and quick expansion.

 

[snapbang]

Wanted to renew this thread. Any of you make any progress or try this out?

 

[TiggerLueb]

snapbang I am happy that you resurrected this thread because I am interested in making my Ruger 44 carbine more accurate. Due to the current state of ammunition and reloading supplies I have put this project and other center fire projects on hold. I have lost confidence in the system and I am concerned about when the shelves will be restocked.

 

[snapbang]

I understand completely Trggerlueb. I am fortunate to have supplies but I have to wonder how long do I need to make these supplies last???? I think my project will be to find out why this particular Model doesn't cycle ammo properly. On the other hand I saw one (44 ruger carbine) sell at auction near me for $1200.00 last week. Maybe I should sell it.

 

[sam-arkie]

I picked up an old Marlin 1894 44 mag a couple of years ago. The previous owner used it for cowboy action shooting with black powder loads. I cleaned and cleaned and finally disassembled it completely and cleaned some more, but I did get all the black powder residue out of it. It shoots great and I really like the it handles. I haven't taken a deer with it yet, but plan on having it in the stand for closeup shots this fall. I have a Ruger Redhawk 5" 44 mag that loves HMS Bear Load 305 grain hard cast bullets, wish the Marlin would shoot them, but with the 1-38 twist it doesn't like anything much over 240 grains.

 

[snapbang]

I find the Ruger kills deer just fine with 240 grain bullets. I have not shot one more than 100 yards so that's my limit of experience. I currently shoot the PPU brand out of it. I think I would love that 1894. You shoot open sights or scope???

 

[jlynch75]

I shoot 7 deer with a Ruger Redhawk 7 1/2" barrel. Most kills where with 240gr xtp's and two were with 200gr xtp's. None of these deer took more than two steps after shot. Average range 45 yards.