thinkin about a 77/44

375hh1973 · Jan 3, 2023

Stopped by my local gunshop and they have a used 77/44 Stainless/Synthetic for sale. It has a Leupold 2-7x33 on it. Funny thing is I have the identical scope on a stainless/synthetic 77/22 mag.

Michigan is one of those goofy states that have a portion that is straight wall rifle regulated and the 44 mag obviously fits the bill. I do a majority of my hunting above the cutoff line and use whatever centerfire I want.

That being said, this would be a handy rifle to have for those few times I hunt below the line. Currently I ether use my muzzle loader or a scoped revolver.

I have heard reports of these rifles being minute of barn accurate. Heard a few reports of good accuracy. I would want to be able to kill deer at 100 yards.

Any real world experience with these?

Would probably like to have it work with 300gr Hornady XTP or the 270gr Federal Hammerdown

Thanks

rugerjunkie · Jan 3, 2023

They are a little better than minute of barn accurate and out to 44 mag range they will do just fine for whitetails. They aren't bench rifles and the flimsy plastic stock doesn't help but they are still ok rifles.

I load Hornady 265's and Speer 270's and think they are plenty accurate for the intended purpose. The heavy 300's become a challenge with the oal and the magazines. When I'm out of the 265 and 270's I'm probably just going back to 240's and calling it a day. 240 sp's have always shot well for me. Your 100 yard goal should be easy enough. These rifles should respond positively to shimming the bolt if you have accuracy issues and I've always thought about putting mine in a laminate stock but haven't gotten around to it yet.

If you go into it realizing it's not a 1/2" gun at 100 yards and enjoy it for what it is you'll like it just fine. You might find a sweet spot with one of your loads too and end up with a heck of a shooter.

Air-cooled · Jan 3, 2023

I think they are great rifles! .44 mag is a fun cartridge to use in a rifle.

375hh1973 · Jan 4, 2023

rugerjunkie said:
They are a little better than minute of barn accurate and out to 44 mag range they will do just fine for whitetails. They aren't bench rifles and the flimsy plastic stock doesn't help but they are still ok rifles.

I load Hornady 265's and Speer 270's and think they are plenty accurate for the intended purpose. The heavy 300's become a challenge with the oal and the magazines. When I'm out of the 265 and 270's I'm probably just going back to 240's and calling it a day. 240 sp's have always shot well for me. Your 100 yard goal should be easy enough. These rifles should respond positively to shimming the bolt if you have accuracy issues and I've always thought about putting mine in a laminate stock but haven't gotten around to it yet.

If you go into it realizing it's not a 1/2" gun at 100 yards and enjoy it for what it is you'll like it just fine. You might find a sweet spot with one of your loads too and end up with a heck of a shooter.

Makes sense

I know its not a precision rifle and wouldn't treat it as such. Just lookin for something that I can be confident in shooting a deer at 100yds without breaking out the inline mz.

The price tag is $700 with scope. Seems like a reasonable way to get into the straight wall game without breaking the bank on a 44 levergun

arfmel · Jan 4, 2023

If I saw one set up like that for $700 I'd be sorely tempted by it

wwb · Jan 4, 2023

For $700 ??? Especially considering it's not some "Brand X" scope, it's a steal.

I have a 96/44, and I'm willing to bet it's the same barrel - just a different receiver. With 240 grain Speer jacketed soft nose and I forget how much Li'l Gun, it's 2 to 2-1/2 inch groups at 100 yards... "minute of whitetail" accuracy.

Guntrainer · Jan 4, 2023

Buy it!. The 44 is an extremely efficient cartridge is a rifle. Ft/lb per grain of powder and a large bullet base to push on tells the tale. Some 300's are revolver only, but some are made that will feed in your rifle. I had a 77/44 stainless years ago, and still have seller's remorse. The Ruger has a faster twist than most 44's, and will handle the 300 gr bullet nicely. IIRC, match prepped ammo would shoot around an inch at a 100. I have a small stash of old Nosler 250 gr Partitions for the 44 if I ever recover my health enough to hunt again.

WAYNO · Jan 4, 2023

Since the OP did ask for real world experiences...

I've had 3, (maybe 4) of these 77/44's. The first was so horribly and unbelievably inaccurate, I couldn't guaranty it would hit a deer anywhere at 100 yards. It was returned to Ruger, never to be seen again.

The next one however was extremely accurate for this type of rifle. I professed it would keep up with any of my .30-30's. And I sold or traded it for no remember-able reason.

I had another, or maybe two. The last one, I will say only that the accuracy was mediocre. Mediocre, because any given box of factory ammo would produce 4" groups at 100-yards, with the exception of Hornady LEVERevolution ammo. It produced very acceptable sub 2" groups.

I am without a 77/44 or even a .44 lever gun right now. And they are rifles I've always figured I should own. Availability right now is the biggest hindrance to owning one again.

Hunter6657 · Jan 5, 2023

Put in the bolt shims and Volquartsen sear and it makes it shoot a lot better plus decreasing the trigger pull.
They also work good on the 77/22, 77/22mag, 77/22 Hornet, and 77/357 rifles. I had a 77/357 before but got rid of it because of mediocre accuracy but that was before i found out about the bolt shims and sear. My 77/44 is one my favorite rifles.

rugnelli · Jan 5, 2023

There is a blued and walnut one here locally with an asking price over $1000. If the one you describe was here, I would have already bought it. My daughter has the same thing in .357 with a 2.5-8 Leupold and it is a fun little rig. She has shot several whitetails with it.

375hh1973 · Jan 5, 2023

Thanks for the replies!

If its there on Monday, I will probably pick it up.

harley08 · Jan 5, 2023

375hh1973 said:
Stopped by my local gunshop and they have a used 77/44 Stainless/Synthetic for sale. It has a Leupold 2-7x33 on it. Funny thing is I have the identical scope on a stainless/synthetic 77/22 mag.

Buy it!

Laserbait · Jan 11, 2023

I totally forgot that I bought one of these from Cabelas on a special about 5+ years ago, and I have yet to shoot the darn thing! Thanks for reminding me!

BBarn · Jan 14, 2023

Mine wears a 1X-4X and does alright with jacketed bullets (2"-3" @100). Cast gas checked bullets added another inch or two to the group sizes.

It's a fun rifle to shoot offhand, but starts to become unpleasant from the bench. The light weight and small dimensions allow it to move around a good bit when fired.

Mauser9 · Jan 14, 2023

Would think they would be more accurate than a semi? How are they with 240 grain ammo?

thinkin about a 77/44

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