Who Loves the Ruger .44 magnum Carbine?

[ChanceMcCall]

I bought mine new in 1962. Despite the fact that I have many other guns, this has always been my go to gun when hunting at 100 yards or less for something I can't bag with a .22LR or a .22WRM and isn't a grizzly or larger bear. It has taken Russian Boar, Deer, Black Bear, and even some Coyotes when a longer range gun wasn't there and the coyote was.

All of this despite the fact I really love lever actions, and use them extensively as well. Also, I don't have much use for the Ruger 10/22 which was based on the .44 carbine. Go figure.

If I had to sell guns, the Ruger .44 magnum would be one of the very last to go. Now if the "proper" ammo was more available and cheaper, it would be perfect. (For those that don't know, common .44 magnum ammo is mostly for handguns not rifles. The rifle ammo is a little harder to locate.)

 

[Gordon]

I got one that actually works well ! I picked it up a police dept many many years ago at a pig hunting friend request. Seems he got "lucky" one night in a bar and went to a motel room and was awoken by a BOOM ! The lady he picked up committed suicide with the carbine It is scoped with the best sope of it's era IMHO , a 1-5x Bushnell Scopechief with Command Post . A flip up heavy post from the 70s ! Very bright and light and still good after all these years. I admit I haven't dragged it thru the woods much. I shot a couple deer and a few pigs 30+ years bach and a few more pigs in traps in the 90s with it. I know they don't like lead bullets, but it does fine with 240 hrain and 180 grain full power jacket ammo. better 4" accurate at 100 yards from a rested position with all loads, some 180s did half that with scope cranked up

 

[FL-NC]

I shot one many moons ago. Its interesting, but I can't come up with a reason to use one for anything that I couldn't do with my AR15, 243, or 308.

 

[Gordon]

I got one that actually works well ! I picked it up a police dept many many years ago at a pig hunting friend request. Seems he got "lucky" one night in a bar and went to a motel room and was awoken by a BOOM ! The lady he picked up committed suicide with the carbine It is scoped with the best sope of it's era IMHO , a 1-5x Bushnell Scopechief with Command Post . A flip up heavy post from the 70s ! Very bright and light and still good after all these years. I admit I haven't dragged it thru the woods much. I shot a couple deer and a few pigs 30+ years bach and a few more pigs in traps in the 90s with it. I know they don't like lead bullets, but it does fine with 240 hrain and 180 grain full power jacket ammo. better 4" accurate at 100 yards from a rested position with all loads, some 180s did half that with scope cranked up

 

[Dunross]

I've never owned one myself, but my stepfather did when I was a kid. He took a lot of Florida deer and hogs with it.

I'd go for a lever action first, but I wouldn't say 'no' to one if a good deal came along.

 

[adcoch1]

I had one for quite a while and loved it but it was picky about ammo. I wanted the lever action back then and sold the semi to get one. Wish I hadn't, it was a lot of fun.

 

[ChanceMcCall]

I shot one many moons ago. Its interesting, but I can't come up with a reason to use one for anything that I couldn't do with my AR15, 243, or 308.

I think the main reason is that it is small and light and easy to handle.

 

[adcoch1]

I used to call it "a 10/22 with balls"

 

[ChanceMcCall]

I had one for quite a while and loved it but it was picky about ammo. I wanted the lever action back then and sold the semi to get one. Wish I hadn't, it was a lot of fun.

Most likely it was the difference between handgun ammo and rifle ammo. It also hates cast lead.

 

[someguy2800]

I always wanted one, especially the later style that was based on the mini 14. I'll probably never get one as they are now quite valuable but I would jump at the chance to get one if the price was right.

 

[Speedo66]

OK, not funny but this did enter my mind......
How would I feel if someone killed themselves after they realized what they had done, with me?

Nice gun.

 

[ChanceMcCall]

OK, not funny but this did enter my mind......
How would I feel if someone killed themselves after they realized what they had done, with me?

Nice gun.

It would certainly say something about your skills (or lack thereof) in bed.

 

[lemaymiami]

Many years ago I guy I knew on my Department rolled up on a young lady standing in the median - in tears and clearly upset about something. The median at this point was paved with a curb and he was able to pull up next to her at close quarters in the turn lane. He spoke with her a bit and thought he was getting somewhere -when she reached into her purse and shot herself right next to him... and that was that.. Except for the cop involved. To put it mildly, he was devastated and along with other factors did leave police work a few years later.

He just never saw it coming at all... Just another slice of life that no one would ever believe if they saw it in a movie...

As I've said more than once - I'm very glad I'm no longer in that line of work.

 

[cheygriz]

I had one for several years. It was a really nice little carbine. had a Williams reciever sight on it. I would probably still have it if it hadn't had that damnable tube magazine.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Wish they had made this (or the Deerfield) in .357......then I would be tracking one down right now!

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I just purchased one, will post pics when I pick it up. The current owner wanted to use it one last time forcdeer season. He got bored last year and did a fantastic job hand checkering this carbine. I couldn't deny him one last hunting seaon with it. Did I mention, he turned 96 last month.

 

[Reloadron]

I think my first one was circa 1966 using my mothers credit card and store discount. I sold it while in the military and subsequently replaced it. I deer hunted West Virginia and it was my go to deer rifle. I eventually went with a Marlin 444 lever gun but my 44 Ruger Carbine remains in the safe today. While I no longer get out hunting I still love that little fast handling carbine. Pictured below in the foreground with a 10/22 in the background the 10/22 is a spawn of that great little rifle.



You have to love the bore comparison.


Ron

 

[ChanceMcCall]

I think my first one was circa 1966 using my mothers credit card and store discount. I sold it while in the military and subsequently replaced it. I deer hunted West Virginia and it was my go to deer rifle. I eventually went with a Marlin 444 lever gun but my 44 Ruger Carbine remains in the safe today. While I no longer get out hunting I still love that little fast handling carbine. Pictured below in the foreground with a 10/22 in the background the 10/22 is a spawn of that great little rifle.

View attachment 812000

You have to love the bore comparison.
View attachment 812001

Ron

A .444 Marlin for whitetails? Is there any meat left? I also own a Marlin in .444 and a 45/70 but I reserve these for large bears. I've never shot a moose, but I imagine that either of those would work on a moose as well.

 

[Reloadron]

A .444 Marlin for whitetails? Is there any meat left? I also own a Marlin in .444 and a 45/70 but I reserve these for large bears. I've never shot a moose, but I imagine that either of those would work on a moose as well.

Yeah, it gave me some added range which was foolish as my longest shot and good kill was likely 50 yards and the little 44 carbine was a perfectly good 100 yard gun. It was short and handy which in heavy brush was nice and I always just used 240 grain JHP hand loads. The 444 Marlin was overkill for where I was and the game.

Ron

 

[someguy2800]

A .444 Marlin for whitetails? Is there any meat left? I also own a Marlin in .444 and a 45/70 but I reserve these for large bears. I've never shot a moose, but I imagine that either of those would work on a moose as well.

Hard cast in 444 marlin works great on deer. Massive blood trail, very little meat damage. Just punches a 1" hole all the way through.

 

[ChanceMcCall]

I always wanted one, especially the later style that was based on the mini 14. I'll probably never get one as they are now quite valuable but I would jump at the chance to get one if the price was right.

There are 12 currently on Gunbroker. Looks like $700+

 

[Reloadron]

There are 12 currently on Gunbroker. Looks like $700+

That seems to be the going rate. Here in the Cleveland, Ohio area at gun shows, when I do see one they are in the $700 and up price range. I never see them below $700 in good condition with nice clean stocks and bores.

Ron

 

[someguy2800]

Yeah that's what I've seen them for. I don't want one that much.

 

[22250Rem]

I'll probably never own one but I always liked 'em. Rarely seen anymore and expensive when you do see one. I've heard they could be picky about ammo; but handloaders could easily overcome that problem; so I've been told. Must have been that aforementioned difference between 44 mag. handgun ammo and 44 mag. rifle ammo. With the proper loads I guess they were pretty good...... Gee... And here I am with 44 magnum brass, dies, bullets, etc.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I bought one way back when from Sears for $124.99, scoped it & bought 2 types of Remington ammo, jhp & jsp & took her to the range. Had trouble keeping it on a pie plate at 50 yds. Took the scope off & no difference. Guess Ruger had not learned how to make barrels yet.