Opinions on Ruger Deerfield .44 mag semi-auto carbine
- Thread starter Striker1
- Start date
Nice gun in all ways except magazine capacity. To me, the shame of it is that Ruger, in its infinite wisdom, oddly built a nice "M1 Carbine" type carbine but did not provide (nor does it--or aftermarket--that I know of) higher capacity mags (of the stick) variety. Maybe this (rotary clip idea) was done to permit "flush" fitting of a legal hunting-capacity mag, I don't know, but I do know that most such .44 Mag Carbines are used for plinking, HD, camping/trail/ranch companions and not "serious" hunting except perhaps at javelina (or such) season, if that. Yes, they can take down deer at short range (like any .44 Mag carbine), but if one is purposefully "planning" a deer hunt, they're usually going out with something in the 20"-24" .243, 6.5mm Win and above range, and usually bolt at that. What was and is needed is a (at least) 10, perhaps 15 rd stick mag (but I don't think the magazine well/gun design will permit such--but I may be wrong (about this and all of the above -- dissenters welcome!).
Last edited:
CarbineCaleb
New member
From what I know about them, they are pretty nice (have only handled them), and I think would make a nice home defense or eastern forest gun for deer or black bear. Less useful for hunting in the open vistas of the west. Good luck!
The Ruger .44 Mag Carbine is a nice brush gun for deer and good for home defense considering it's limited ammo capacity. For hunting, I would limit it's use to 100 yards.
Thinking in the carbine realm, I would choose the Ruger Mini 30 in 7.62x39. It's more powerful, has longer range, and has high cap mags available. In Wolf 154 grain soft point and Corbon 150 grain soft point, the Mini 30 performs equally well, in fact, slightly better than a 30-30.
I've seen the Mini 30 not only knock down deer in it's tracks, but also black bear, and boar up to 300 pounds.
Like any other rifle, the Mini 30 has it's limitations, but IMO it's a far better choice than a .44 Mag.
Thinking in the carbine realm, I would choose the Ruger Mini 30 in 7.62x39. It's more powerful, has longer range, and has high cap mags available. In Wolf 154 grain soft point and Corbon 150 grain soft point, the Mini 30 performs equally well, in fact, slightly better than a 30-30.
I've seen the Mini 30 not only knock down deer in it's tracks, but also black bear, and boar up to 300 pounds.
Like any other rifle, the Mini 30 has it's limitations, but IMO it's a far better choice than a .44 Mag.
I agree with TPAW--at least relative to the Ruger carbine. I still like "a" .44 Mag carbine idea for what it is/does, but would choose a Rossi (older model) or Rossi/EMF 92 (or Marlin or Win 94--whatever floats your boat) lever gun with full 10 rd capacity for such duty. Little recoil, great brush/trail/truck/ camp/HD gun...and go with TPAW's idea if wanting something with more versatility/capability beyond that. The .44 and x39 are somewhat apples and oranges. A lightweight, handy brushbuster HD weapon (.44) vs more all-around capability with better "occasional deer" (decent whollop @ better range) credentials (x39). The dumb and limited rotary clip to me kills an otherwise fine carbine/concept Ruger would have had. Ruger's lever gun I believe has similar limitations.
I have an older Ruger .44 Carbine (pre-Deerfield), and love it. Don't know quite what you mean by "general purpose Carbine", but I would say this rifle would likely fit the bill.
The .44 Carbine is a great rifle to plink with, hunt short range and in brush with, and fits in the back of the pickup.
As for quality/durability? The deerfield is based on the old tried and true M1 action, like the mini-14/30. Most people complain about the accuracy of these, not the durability (I have a -14, and no, I can't drive tacks with it, but it fires every time I pull the trigger).
The bottom line is --- it is what it is. It's a nice little gun that is a blast to shoot, and has some limitations to its application. If this is the gun you want, the price is right.
The .44 Carbine is a great rifle to plink with, hunt short range and in brush with, and fits in the back of the pickup.
As for quality/durability? The deerfield is based on the old tried and true M1 action, like the mini-14/30. Most people complain about the accuracy of these, not the durability (I have a -14, and no, I can't drive tacks with it, but it fires every time I pull the trigger).
The bottom line is --- it is what it is. It's a nice little gun that is a blast to shoot, and has some limitations to its application. If this is the gun you want, the price is right.
I guess we need at least one dissenting view here. 
My shooting buddy has one and his opinion is it it a POS. I have to agree with him. His Norinco AK shoots tighter groups at 100 yards than his Deerfield does at 50 yards. One day at the range, a locking lug on the bolt let go. Nobody hurt, but it didn't cause any great increase in the popularity of the gun with it's owner. He sent it back to Ruger and they fixed it, but they did nothing to cure the accuracy problem. I believe he's traded the gun off for something more trustworthy. I do hasten to add, yes, I was there the day the bolt lug let go. I agree with him. That gun was a POS.
Paul B.
My shooting buddy has one and his opinion is it it a POS. I have to agree with him. His Norinco AK shoots tighter groups at 100 yards than his Deerfield does at 50 yards. One day at the range, a locking lug on the bolt let go. Nobody hurt, but it didn't cause any great increase in the popularity of the gun with it's owner. He sent it back to Ruger and they fixed it, but they did nothing to cure the accuracy problem. I believe he's traded the gun off for something more trustworthy. I do hasten to add, yes, I was there the day the bolt lug let go. I agree with him. That gun was a POS.Paul B.
Funny GAK mentioned the EMF-92, that's what my choices have come down to. I was looking for a pistol cal carbine for the house/vehicle and while at the gun store noticed the Ruger in the used rack.
I have no interest in using either one for hunting as I already have a hunting rifle.
How any rounds does the Ruger hold? 5 or 10?
Accuracy wise, it doesn't have to be accurate at 100 yds beyond minute of pie plate for my purposes
I have no interest in using either one for hunting as I already have a hunting rifle.
How any rounds does the Ruger hold? 5 or 10?
Accuracy wise, it doesn't have to be accurate at 100 yds beyond minute of pie plate for my purposes
Mannlicher
New member
Striker,
The Deerfield is a fine little hunting carbine. It does what it was designed to do, which is provide a good punch at relatively close range when hunting deer sized game. It was not designed to be a 'spray and pray' rifle. For thick cover hunting, the .44 Mag is very difficult to beat. I have taken 7 nice Whitetails with my Marlin 1894.
If folks want a 'tactical carbine', then those are available from other sources. Frankly, in a 'tactical carbine', the .44 mag is not the ideal caliber.
The Deerfield is a fine little hunting carbine. It does what it was designed to do, which is provide a good punch at relatively close range when hunting deer sized game. It was not designed to be a 'spray and pray' rifle. For thick cover hunting, the .44 Mag is very difficult to beat. I have taken 7 nice Whitetails with my Marlin 1894.
If folks want a 'tactical carbine', then those are available from other sources. Frankly, in a 'tactical carbine', the .44 mag is not the ideal caliber.
rallyhound
New member
4 in the mag.
Mine has been perfectly reliable but it is always kept cleen.
9 whitetales in 3 years have fallen to this gun.
It is now my goto hunting rifle in the thick minnesota forests.
One was a perfect shot at 200yds estimated.
Mine has been perfectly reliable but it is always kept cleen.
9 whitetales in 3 years have fallen to this gun.
It is now my goto hunting rifle in the thick minnesota forests.
One was a perfect shot at 200yds estimated.
Striker: Rossis
Stirker: The 20" (most prevalent) Rossi carbines: 10 in the tube. Funny after all the years of owning these (Rossis), I've never noticed how many .44 Special, though I have loaded and shot those, but I'd assume 11, since they are shorter--when multiplying the difference x 10, gotta be at least room for one more in there. I'm not sure how many the trappers shoot, probably 8 mags, and the long guns maybe 12? I'd assume similar format guns, the Marlin and Win 94 would be the same 10 (in their 20" versions).
Stirker: The 20" (most prevalent) Rossi carbines: 10 in the tube. Funny after all the years of owning these (Rossis), I've never noticed how many .44 Special, though I have loaded and shot those, but I'd assume 11, since they are shorter--when multiplying the difference x 10, gotta be at least room for one more in there. I'm not sure how many the trappers shoot, probably 8 mags, and the long guns maybe 12? I'd assume similar format guns, the Marlin and Win 94 would be the same 10 (in their 20" versions).
Last edited:
TPAW has it right; the Mini 30 if wanting a semi-auto with some punch, especially considering the Ruger's low capacity. If it had more, I'd still say it had some merit--less of a "big deal" than the 30 as a quick, pick-it-up house, camp or truck gun. Ditto the levers, just less of a big deal--lighter, handier, etc., and like the M-1 Carbine slightly more PC carting it around if that's an issue. But he is right, less capable ultimately vs the 30. If you can live with a 4 rd rotary clip, still a fun useful gun to have around.
Mannlicher
New member
I won't argue with ya TPAW, and I wish you well with your Mini-30............
All I have to go on, is 30 years experience with the .44 Mag, and a lot of venison in the freezer.
All I have to go on, is 30 years experience with the .44 Mag, and a lot of venison in the freezer.
rallyhound
New member
Although the .44 Mag is a fine Carbine, the Mini 30 in 7.62x39 will out perform the .44 Mag in every aspect. .
I totally dissagree, having shot a lot of deer with 30's and 44 mags I find the 44 drops um much faster and does far more damage at close range.
It make a much bigger hole and almost always exits.
Thats with 240g semi jackets.
I totally dissagree, having shot a lot of deer with 30's and 44 mags I find the 44 drops um much faster and does far more damage at close range.
It make a much bigger hole and almost always exits.
Thats with 240g semi jackets.
OK guys. Can't argue the fact that the .44 Mag is a fine carbine. But compared to the Mini 30, it falls short in performance.
With the Wolf 154 grain soft point, or the Corbon 150 grain soft point, you have a carbine that will equal or do a little better than a 30-30.
So if you think about it, not considering the mag capacity of the Mini 30 as a self defense weapon which surpasses the .44 or 30-30, comparing a .44 to a Mini 30, is like comparing a .44 to a 30-30. They are light years apart.
I would attempt a shot at 150 yards with a Mini 30, but would never do so with a .44 Mag.
They are both excellent carbines "for their purpose". All I am saying is that the Mini 30 has a better "arms reach".
My gray hair can also speak from experience. Matter of fact, I may have bought one of the first .44 Mags that Ruger put out! Here goes, I bought mine in 1972. Even then it cost me $200.00 bucks if I remember right?
Great carbine, but the Mini 30 runs rings around it!
With the Wolf 154 grain soft point, or the Corbon 150 grain soft point, you have a carbine that will equal or do a little better than a 30-30.
So if you think about it, not considering the mag capacity of the Mini 30 as a self defense weapon which surpasses the .44 or 30-30, comparing a .44 to a Mini 30, is like comparing a .44 to a 30-30. They are light years apart.
I would attempt a shot at 150 yards with a Mini 30, but would never do so with a .44 Mag.
They are both excellent carbines "for their purpose". All I am saying is that the Mini 30 has a better "arms reach".
My gray hair can also speak from experience. Matter of fact, I may have bought one of the first .44 Mags that Ruger put out! Here goes, I bought mine in 1972. Even then it cost me $200.00 bucks if I remember right?
Great carbine, but the Mini 30 runs rings around it!
44 vs mini 30
The 30 will not run circles around the 44 ...thats just not true. I have both rifles and love them both. ( mini 30 & Marlin 44 mag carbine)
For range - sure the 30 will beat the trajectory of the 44 past 200 yrd ( most people dont shoot accuratly past that anyway)
The 44 has a higher taylor knock down and power factor than the 30 out to 200 yrd
The 44 can be loaded with 310 gr slugs that exit the barrel at 1,500 fps - thats like a mild 45-70 load. Packs twice the energy as the little 30 at 50 yrds
accuracy from the marlin and from the mini 30 are exactly the same
The fact is - no clear winner if your talking deer size game. Black bear ? the 44 without question.
The 30 will not run circles around the 44 ...thats just not true. I have both rifles and love them both. ( mini 30 & Marlin 44 mag carbine)
For range - sure the 30 will beat the trajectory of the 44 past 200 yrd ( most people dont shoot accuratly past that anyway)
The 44 has a higher taylor knock down and power factor than the 30 out to 200 yrd
The 44 can be loaded with 310 gr slugs that exit the barrel at 1,500 fps - thats like a mild 45-70 load. Packs twice the energy as the little 30 at 50 yrds
accuracy from the marlin and from the mini 30 are exactly the same
The fact is - no clear winner if your talking deer size game. Black bear ? the 44 without question.