bigdaddy123
New member
I've been looking at one for while.It will be used for whitetail/hog hunting at distances of 50-150 yards.Any scope,ammo,or setup ideas will be appreciated.
Ruger 77/44
- Thread starter bigdaddy123
- Start date
SteelChickenShooter
New member
Leupold 2 to 7, standard Ruger rings, standard Remington or Winchester 240gr 44Mag hunting loads. If you use the Hornady brand, they hit higher in mine and may do the same in yours. So I dialed in the mentioned rounds which hit about the same then saved the Hornady rounds for the Ruger SRH handgun.
The Ruger 77/44 is a real sweet outfit with a small Leupold scope and 44Mag hunting ammo.
The Ruger 77/44 is a real sweet outfit with a small Leupold scope and 44Mag hunting ammo.
bamaranger
New member
.44's
When the Ruger 77/44 came out, I was very so-so about them. I really liked the semi and lever .44's and if given a choice, would go with one of that variety. But the levers and semi's are gone, and prices are soaring. The bolt rifles are still with us, I think, and reasonably affordable. So you gotta use the tools you can find (or afford).
Ruger got the twist rate right on the new .44's and I would try and take advantage of that and drift towards the heavy end of the scale. I don't know if the 265 gr JSP slug is offered as commercial loaded ammo or not, but I would look or load that as a starter. I would not drop below 240 gr ever in the new fast twist carbines, esp for hogs. Many of the 180-200 gr slugs are intended to expand at handgun velocities, and from the speeds possible from a carbine tube are somewhat fragile. A big hog shoulder or raking shot may offer a substantial obstacle to a light .44 JHP intended to expand at 1000 fps.
As far as optics go, I don't really see the need for more than 4x on your rifle. The .44 has near mortar like trajectory, even from a carbine, and more X power is not needed for the effective range of the .44. Too, .44 carbines are pretty tidy rigs, and why burden one with more glass than it needs? I'd avoid a "full size" scope for that reason. I'm thinking a compact fixed 4x, maybe something like the Burris Timberline (?). Never used one, but the X level and size seems about right. If you like variables, a Leu 1-4x or something similar might be the ticket.
A stainless/synthetic 77/44 should be one rough and tumble carbine, and that may offset my original attitude on the bolt .44's. The old levers and semis were not available in stainless but the 77/44 is, or at least, was. Hmmm!
When the Ruger 77/44 came out, I was very so-so about them. I really liked the semi and lever .44's and if given a choice, would go with one of that variety. But the levers and semi's are gone, and prices are soaring. The bolt rifles are still with us, I think, and reasonably affordable. So you gotta use the tools you can find (or afford).
Ruger got the twist rate right on the new .44's and I would try and take advantage of that and drift towards the heavy end of the scale. I don't know if the 265 gr JSP slug is offered as commercial loaded ammo or not, but I would look or load that as a starter. I would not drop below 240 gr ever in the new fast twist carbines, esp for hogs. Many of the 180-200 gr slugs are intended to expand at handgun velocities, and from the speeds possible from a carbine tube are somewhat fragile. A big hog shoulder or raking shot may offer a substantial obstacle to a light .44 JHP intended to expand at 1000 fps.
As far as optics go, I don't really see the need for more than 4x on your rifle. The .44 has near mortar like trajectory, even from a carbine, and more X power is not needed for the effective range of the .44. Too, .44 carbines are pretty tidy rigs, and why burden one with more glass than it needs? I'd avoid a "full size" scope for that reason. I'm thinking a compact fixed 4x, maybe something like the Burris Timberline (?). Never used one, but the X level and size seems about right. If you like variables, a Leu 1-4x or something similar might be the ticket.
A stainless/synthetic 77/44 should be one rough and tumble carbine, and that may offset my original attitude on the bolt .44's. The old levers and semis were not available in stainless but the 77/44 is, or at least, was. Hmmm!
SteelChickenShooter
New member
I just love this little rifle. Certainly without question a good small low power scope is fine. The Leupold 2-7 I think X 33mm is just what I happen to have on hand as an extra in the shop. And it fits like a glove. I was forced into selling off my collection to pay medical bills, but in the back of my mind, this is one sweet honey I would like to get again if and when I can afford it.
I think bamaranger hit the nail on the head. I have a Bushnell 1.5-4.5 on my Ruger 44 auto & shoot 240 JSP's. It kills deer with great authority. Never shot any hogs with it, but I wouldn't hesitate. IMO 100 is pushing the limit on the auto, but the bolt guns are probably a lot better in that aspect.
Mine likes heavier bullets when shooting lead, 220 or greater. The best is a Penn 240 TCBB, very nice groups at 100 yards. The 180 of the same bullet didn’t work.
Factory Hornady Leverevolution worked well in the gun but I had a hard time hand loading them due to the tip of the bullet getting deformed because no bullet seater fits the profile,
I went with a Redfield because I wanted to see how the quality of their scopes are since Leopold took them over. It’s a great scope.
http://www.pennbullets.com/44/44-caliber.html
The following are some tests that I worked on.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=421367&highlight=77+44
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=426921&highlight=77+44
Factory Hornady Leverevolution worked well in the gun but I had a hard time hand loading them due to the tip of the bullet getting deformed because no bullet seater fits the profile,
I went with a Redfield because I wanted to see how the quality of their scopes are since Leopold took them over. It’s a great scope.
http://www.pennbullets.com/44/44-caliber.html
The following are some tests that I worked on.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=421367&highlight=77+44
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=426921&highlight=77+44
bigdaddy123
New member
Just picked a new one up at a local gun show.Bought 2 boxes of Hornady 240 gr.XTP.Can't wait to try it out.Thanks for the input fellas.
SteelChickenShooter
New member
I think it's handy to have a spare magazine.
Make sure your rounds operate in it by loading them and then stripping one off with your thumb.
Here are some overall lengths for some of my 44Mags:
Hornady 1.59
Remington 1.57
Winchester 1.59
Ultramax 1.56
Make sure your rounds operate in it by loading them and then stripping one off with your thumb.
Here are some overall lengths for some of my 44Mags:
Hornady 1.59
Remington 1.57
Winchester 1.59
Ultramax 1.56
bigdaddy123
New member
Finally got to shoot it Sunday evening.Out of the box,it shot a little low.Adjusted the rear sight,(5)3rd.groups at 75 yards.averaged 1 1/2" with Hornady 240 grain hp.Trijicon or Leupold are the scopes I've decided to try on it.
