About 30 years back in high school I worked at a gun shop doing minor gunsmithing. Mostly cleaning guns. Had a few Ruger 44 automatic carbines come through and as I recall they were relatively complex and full of small parts but again I’ve not handled one in decades. I just bought one. I guess out of nostalgia. What do I need to know about them? Loads they like and such.

The one I used to own (Deerstalker) performed best with 240 JSP ammo.

I remember it being a heavy recoiling sumbitch too.

My Winchester model 92 .44 magnum has a tiny curved butt plate. It leaves a bruise every time I shoot it. It’s honestly worse than my belted magnums.

This was my grandfather's, complete with 2.5x scope and tip rings.  Lots of Arkansas deer fell to this gun.

It likes both 240 and 180 JSP, but he always used 240 for hunting.

Attached File

I believe Ruger made at least two different versions over the years (maybe more)

I think I have heard Ruger does not support any of them as far as repair and spare parts.

Years ago I sort of looked at a couple that were offered up as used guns . The thing that made me step back was reported bad results with lead bullets.

Being a semi auto of course requires a certain power level load to have it operate well.

So many good lever actions out there that are way more flexible in their ability to run a wide range of ammo from mild 44spl on up to full house heavy bullet 44mag loads.

If one puts a bit of training into the operation of a lever gun and slicks up the stock action a bit a lever gun really is hardly slower than a semi auto.
I understand the loads are a bit on the light side but if you look at what the dedicated cowboy action shooters can do with a lever gun it is pretty impressive.

At this time I am the happy owner of a north haven real deal Marlin cowboy rifle in  44mag with the octagon rifle barrel and recently I picked up a  Rossi stainless carbine that has been fun also.

I guess that is lots of info on something the OP isn't interested in but there you go.

Just consider , The Ruger semi is fussy with ammo and if you ever have problems with it good luck trying to find somebody to fix it or supply parts and the lever carbines and rifles shoot a wide range of loads and are available in a wide range of looks and finishes both new and used.

The original had a tube mag that loaded in the bottom. The second used a rotary mag. Nice guns that sell for more than they sold for.
Deerstalker
Deerfield

I have one made in 1963 from what the serial number research says. It seems to shoot well. I hand load 200gr xtp for it and it seems to like it. I know these guns aren't tack drivers but this one seems to average around 2in or so at 100yds. If I can figure out a way to get the barrel into my lathe then I'll thread it for a can. I have a hybrid 46 that would look good on there.

I have one, it has some history & sentimental value to me... As mentioned earlier its no longer supported, so I wont risk breaking it. Just sits there looking good

I am in the same boat. I do not want to shoot it much because of parts being not available. I am afraid if something breaks, I will be SOL.

I have of the later deerfield versions (the one that has the mini 14 style action and 4 round rotary magazines.
It had feed and ejection issues.
The ejection issue was the extractor spring being weak. I lucked out and found one at numrich but I think I bought the last one.
Turns out the mag that was in it was for the 77/44 and the spring was not strong enough to present the rounds before the bolt started moving forward to feed (it cycles fast). That was the feeding issue. I lucked out and stumbled across a spare mag at a gun show and found it had a much stronger spring. With it, it works perfectly.
I have bought one of the aftermarket 10 round mags for it, but have yet to try it.