Opinions on Ruger Deerfield .44 mag semi-auto carbine

$300

Three hundred bucks for a Ruger .44 auto, old or new model, is a good price, if the thing is in any kind of shape.

Personally, I believe the new model, with detach mag, Mini type action and trigger group, and the 1:20 twist as opposed to the older 1:38 in the old tube feed models, are more accurate and a good bit more durable. Plus they use the Ruger Ring set up which makes scoping easy. I can't find one for less than $500.

I do have two of the old tube feed models, and a Mini-30, for what its worth.

The accuracy in my old models is pretty dismal with heavy slugs. Switching to 180 and then 200 gr bullets helped plenty, but robs the .44 of all the advantages of big heavy bullets, which I believe is what makes the .44 so deadly. Lots of guys report good results with 240's and the old rifles, but mine don't. The new model, with the tighter twist, should handle the big 240 gr and up slugs easily.
 
oh yeah

Guy at work bought a new model (deerfield) when they came out and I shot it a bit, so I have some familiarity with the new ones. I liked it a bunch, and the Mini/Garand field strip seemed a plus.

He recently sold it, for $450, with no mag, as he lost his also. I offered him $400, but he wouldn't budge.

What a pal!
 
I bought the Deerfield when in came out. Was impressed by its size, easy handling, robust action, and the 44mag teamed with my pistols.

Positives: easy to handle, load, points nicely, strong.
Negatives: for some reason, my mag falls out frequently. I don't know if I just hit the release with my finger or the recoil bounces it out, but it's happened to me (and others who have shot this rifle) enough times I always check it.

Would love to have an extended magazine for 10 or more rounds. The flush mount is nice for a saddle scabbard but having the option of higher capacity would be a bonus.

I sense this rifle wasn't one of Ruger's big successes. I like it.
 
My Ruger is the older model.

The idea of a detachable mag makes a bunch of sense to me.

Capacity over two isn't much of a concern. Not too many critters will just stand there and let you continue to lob chunks of lead at it.

180 JHP and a bunch of H110 seemed to play nice with my S&W and the Ruger. Its been a while since I messed with it. Other, newer powders are available.

If I were going to do the companion camping duo again, i'd have to look hard at a SA Colt/copy/clone/FA/Bowen 45 and some sort of lever action Colt 45 carbine.

salty
 
"Three hundred bucks for a Ruger .44 auto, old or new model, is a good price, if the thing is in any kind of shape."

Of course, that was six years ago.

I doubt you can find one in usable condition nowadays for much less than $600. Mine is an earlier tube-fed model and I'm quite pleased with it. Nothing much better in thick brush for deer, hogs, or what-have-you.

Not enought firepower (rounds) for heavy SD use (which I never expect to need, of course) but for that my Saiga 7.62x39 would work out ok.

The later model with rotary magazine served as the model for the famed 10/22. I don't know why they don't make the .44 any more.

I'd like to have one of the .44 lever guns made about the same time.

Thanks for resurrecting this old thread :).

Best,

Will
 
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