44 russian in a 44 magnum?

[whitetailwoodsarcher]

hello, im just a wounderin in you can shoot 44 russians in a ruger 77/44 magnum. from what i understand the 44 russian is a shorter version of the 44 spl? you might have to load them single shot style but what ever.
thanks!

 

[tjhaile]

It shouldn't be a problem, other than possibly feeding.

 

[ciphery]

Shorter version of the 44 S&W actually.

 

[starpuss]

Why not Sell the 44 russian ammo you have? you should get 1-2$ per Rd On the EE

And Stick with what the gun was made for..

 

[BCRider]

The first thing to do when looking at such a possibility is first find the case drawings and compare the diameters for the case at rim, just in front of rim and at the neck. If they are the same as the proper ammo then you're good to go. If not then you can't. I'd have to use google to find such information so I'm sure you can as well.

Then you need to see if the jump from the end of the rim to the lip in the chamber where the size is reduced to that of the bullet is short enough that the bullet won't be unsealed and floating in mid air at any point. If the gap is long enough that the bullet will not be sealed by either the casing or the rifled area ahead of this lip at all times during the travel then I would not suggest that you use that ammo.

 

[mudgunner49]

The first thing to do when looking at such a possibility is first find the case drawings and compare the diameters for the case at rim, just in front of rim and at the neck. If they are the same as the proper ammo then you're good to go. If not then you can't. I'd have to use google to find such information so I'm sure you can as well.

Then you need to see if the jump from the end of the rim to the lip in the chamber where the size is reduced to that of the bullet is short enough that the bullet won't be unsealed and floating in mid air at any point. If the gap is long enough that the bullet will not be sealed by either the casing or the rifled area ahead of this lip at all times during the travel then I would not suggest that you use that ammo.

You are WAY over-thinking this...

It's good to go.

 

[tiriaq]

.44 Special is a lot more available than .44 Russian.

 

[teenahlake]

the question begs, why 44spl. and magnum are cheaper.

 

[BCRider]

You are WAY over-thinking this...

It's good to go.

Not really. I knew that .44Russian is actually a little shorter than even .44Spl. Checking my Lyman reloading book shows me that the .44Russian is OK for diameter. But at .970 inches long compared to 1.285 inches for .44Mag there's a .315 inch difference in length. If his .44Russian is using a shorter and lighter bullet then it's quite possible that it would actually be unsupported as it leaves the end of the casing and before it enters the rifling. And that's not a good thing for a variety of reasons from what I've read.

the question begs, why 44spl. and magnum are cheaper.

I'm assuming that he has some .44Russian ammo he was given. Or that he uses in a replica or antique. Otherwise you're right, it makes no sense given the costs.