Ruger #96 .44 mag

songdog11

songdog11

New member
I have a Ruger 96 in .22wmr and really like it for small game and close shots on coyotes and bobcats. I was looking on the Ruger website the other day and saw that they made a .44mag version of the rifle and i got to wondering how the rifle would shoot? Would this rifle be adequate for deer and hog sized animals?
 
It's intended for close quarters hunting. Heavy brush, thick trees or anywhere a high powered round is impractical. The .44 has plenty of knockdown for what you suggest.
 
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I have a Ruger 96 in .22wmr and really like it for small game and close shots on coyotes and bobcats. I was looking on the Ruger website the other day and saw that they made a .44mag version of the rifle and i got to wondering how the rifle would shoot? Would this rifle be adequate for deer and hog sized animals?



Theres no way to gauge how well it will shoot, but as far as cartridge performance it would be adequate for deer and hogs. I have a semi auto ruger 44 carbine and it is a handy package with a lot close range knock down power.
 
Accuracy on both the Ruger 44 mag rifles is very good. I used a 44 mag semi-auto for years and it works well on deer out to a hundred yards.

You know Ruger also makes a 77/44 mag bolt gun.
 
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Accuracy on both the Ruger 44 mag rifles is very good. I used a 44 mag semi-auto for years and it works well on deer out to a hundred yards.

You know Ruger also makes a 77/44 mag bolt gun.



I have the 77/44. It is a great little rifle for, like was said, out to 100 yards. The trigger on this gun was terrible, so I took it to a gunsmith and had it reworked to 2 1/2 pounds. Just got it back two days ago. I am now looking to put a fixed 4x scope on it. I will not attempt to work up any reloads for it until I get a scope on it. It (or me) does reasonable well with groups with the open sights. It is a joy to carry, short and light.
 
I owned a Ruger #96 in .44 Mag and it is a nice short-range deer and hog gun. Recoil is a bit heavy because of the light weight and butt design... more than you'd think for a .44. It was accurate enough since its really only a 100 yard rifle. It is an awfully handy carbine. And when compared to other rifles in that class, not badly priced. I didn't keep it because I like the 7.62X39 cartridge better. Much cheaper to shoot, longer range, more flexibility.
 
I never could understand why any one would go this route. Even a .243 shames the 44 mag in a rifle foot pounds and trajectory wise. With the 44 it's all over at a max of 200 yards and with the remaining enery at that range it's marginal for deer.
 
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I never could understand why any one would go this route. Even a .243 shames the 44 mag in a rifle foot pounds and trajectory wise. With the 44 it's all over at a max of 200 yards and with the remaining enery at that range it's marginal for deer.



Why? Probably for the same reason I have a Ford Ranger instead of a King Ranch. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif The reason for that? Aside from money, I have no idea. I got the 77/44 because.....er, well, maybe because it was just there in front of me? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif Gun lust maybe? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Don't ask me why I do something, sometimes I don't know myself! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
 
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I never could understand why any one would go this route. Even a .243 shames the 44 mag in a rifle foot pounds and trajectory wise. With the 44 it's all over at a max of 200 yards and with the remaining enery at that range it's marginal for deer. [/quote

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif Over here on the right side the 44 in a carbine, or pistol for that matter, has caused the demise of too many deer to brush it off as inadequate. Nope, its not a beanfield rifle, but neither are the thousands of muzzleloaders guys back east successfully use every season to harvest deer. Ill be darned if the velocities/energy of both arent damn near identical. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
I keep my 1894 Marlin .44mag around as it takes the same cartridge as my S&W mod 29s and it is an easy round to reload if needed.

It's a good short range (less than 100yds) brush caliber with more than adequate knockdown power that isn't susceptible to deflection by a stray branch.

If the Ruger .44 carbine is as dependable as their 10/22 series, I'd go for it.
 
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