Help with .44 mag Hunting Loads for Ruger Carbine

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01four

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Looking for some input in loading for the .44 mag ruger carbine (tube fed) model. I will be hunting deer in thick bush and shots should be within 150 yards. The ruger shoots very well with 240gr bullets so I would like to continue with this weight of bullet. I would like to here some hunting stories (if you have some you would like share) surrounding the ruger carbine and what seemeds to work for you and how effective your choice of ammo or reload worked on deer. Thank you for help or input.
 
What kind of input are you looking for? It sounds like you have some of your own to provide; what kind of bullets and powder are you using? What kind of velocity are you getting? What is 'shooting well' - accuracy?
 
I don't have a Ruger but my Marlin 1894 uses 240 gr Hornady XTPs with 23.5 gr of H110It works well on the range but unfortunately most of my deer hunting is now done in "shotgun only" areas and I cannot attest to bullet performance. I do have great faith in the XTP line of bullets and would suspect that you should have no problems with them.

tbhupe
 
I have one of the original Ruger 44 magnum carbines which I bought new in the 1960's $124.00! I have used it for deer hunting from the start. I have never lost a deer. I tested all factory loads available at the time as well as my own handloads. I found that Remingtom code "RMG3" (I think) 240 grain hollow points work the best. No other brand even comes close in performance and velocity. I have taken many deer over those years at ranges from 110 yards to 5 yards with predictable results. Good luck. I can also tell you that my handloads approached maximum book loads and the rifle did not function as well with them. Excessive recoil also cracked the trigger group casting which had to be replaced by a gunsmith. Parts were available from Ruger then but are NOT available now so beware of reloads. I believe that Ruger will replace a broken original model carbine still but only with their 44 magnum lever rifle and ONLY....if you are in the USA can you do the swap. I would strongly recommend the remington factory loads. Dave
 
.44 load

Thanks Dave for the valuable info, I will try to locate some remington ammo, I hope they still make that brand. I just purchased the rifle a few month ago and have tried some American Eagle 240gr. I found some 240gr speer soft points that I am considering loading or I just might stick with factory loads like the remingtons that Dave mentioned. My gun was made in the late 60's so I do not want to break anything on the rifle from hot handloads.
 
A couple of buds and I have had very good success on deer, bear and moose, under 100 yards, over the years with the Remington R44MG3's (code No. on the box) as well. Works great in the Ruger carbine, Winchester lever & Marlin levers. Norma made some hot 44's years ago that also fed & worked well on game, but alas, no more. I handloaded lead
240 gr. SWC (Lyman 429421-Keiths) ahead of 296 for a
Win. 92 lever converted to 44 mag. Worked a - O.K., but I rather doubt the Ruger carbine would feed these.
 
I have used 240 gr Winchester Silver tips and Remmington 240gr JHP and both work excellent for deer

I also use 240 gr lead cast bullets w/gas checks for fun and they work just as well and are alot cheaper, specially if you want to just target shoot.
 
I have used Winchester 250 Partition gold (S44MP). I have never used them on Deer but on a rather large black bear. At 75yds he didn't ask any questions. Then I use the brass and put a Hornady 240gr XTP, With 14.4 gr of blue dot, winchester primer. It cycles and preforms well in the same gun. I'm almost out of blue dot so I'm going to try 2400 next.
 
"...try to locate some Remington ammo..." Where are you? Shooter's Choice, in Waterloo, Ontario, wants $34.95 for Remington 240 SJHP(Semi-jacketed HP). Remington ammo should be easy to get.
.44 Mag rifle ammo usually comes in 20 round boxes as opposed to 50 round boxes of handgun ammo. The rifle ammo is hotter than handgun ammo. A bit more expensive too.
 
Currently working on a hunting load for my .44 Marlin.

Best bullets that I could find fast were the XTP's and seeing as I have a can of Lil'Gun on the shelf thats what I'm using. So far 23gr has been the most accurate. You can really feel the difference in recoil between 22gr and 24gr. There is no doubt that these will put down deer sized game in a hurry.

Anyone else using Lil Gun?
 
Where can I pick up some XTP's

Has anyone else heard that the Marlins with ballard rifling need .431 lead, instead of the .429 or .430???

Check out 4:20-5:30
[youtube]24OksL4FvkU[/youtube]

I got the same gun he is shooting ... Marlin 1894 Cowboy Limited :rockOn:
 
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