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What ammo for Ruger 44 rifle?

JerryW
I've got an early Ruger 44 mag semi-auto rifle that my son will use this year for whitetail deer out to about 100 yards. I've never used it for hunting, and have only run a few factory 44 mag pistol rounds through it, and it operated as normal. Any recommendations for a good factory round for deer hunting?
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • countryfarmer
    You might look to the Hornady 44mag Leverevolution and see if it will cycle through the action good. I know the 30-30 is fairly impressive in that offering.
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  • rsnyder55
    According the the Ruger manual, any factory jacketed load will function. The only caveat is not to use medium loads or lead bullets.

    I would try several and see which grouped the best.
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  • MFI
    Most of the guys who have them in my neck of woods use Hornady 200 grain XTP bullets. Not the lever revolution stuff.
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  • 22hipower
    When you say "early" I assume you mean the 44 auto from the '60s (1960-1980s I think). Should be ok with standard 44 mag 240 grain loads; or the lighter ones recommended in MFIs post. If you hand load be careful about heavy loads in that gun. I like to shoot 300 grain 44 XTPs in a Ruger 77 or 96 but the older Ruger autos don't take the pounding well.
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  • Michibay
    Hi...just a side note...I bought one of these new in 1971...they are great little guns!...Make sure to keep the barrel throat exceptionally clean...as cartridges will tend to hang-up if not totally clean...have fun!
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  • heliman
    I have found standard velocity 240gr JSP's function the best. JMHO.

    Dave[;)]
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  • 5mmgunguy
    Ditto!!
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  • dfletcher
    quote:Originally posted by countryfarmer
    You might look to the Hornady 44mag Leverevolution and see if it will cycle through the action good. I know the 30-30 is fairly impressive in that offering.


    The Ruger uses a detach magazine, not 100% sure but the pointed profile of the Hornady lever ammo may make the OAL too long to fit. I use 240 JSP ammo in my Ruger 44 rifle, although it's a bolt action.
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  • givette
    Ruger engineering in the '60's envisioned the .44 magnum pistol cartridge with the 240gr semi-jacketed bullet in mind when they worked up the gas-port volume, recoil spring tension, etc. At the time, it was the only .44 magnum load commercially available.

    Best to stay with that. In hunting, you will have the reliability.

    Sincerely, Joe
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  • cpermd
    My kids and grandkids use Federal 180 grain ammo.

    CP
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