44 carbine optics options

jimbo1096 · Jul 2, 2024

I recently picked up a 44 carbine from one of my friends. He had mounted a rail on the top of it and was going to use an EO Tec optic system. Which would you prefer. Scope or iron sights, or something different.. Below is a picture of the rifle with the rail system mounted on top. He said it was expensive and hard to get, I wouldn't know because I don't know optics or scopes.

I'm not a big hunter. I would only use it sparingly

RC44Mag · Jul 2, 2024

since the shots I take with mine rarely exceed 100y but needed something better then the irons with my older MK1 eyeballs and wanted it unobtrusive yet help aid in visibility and really didn't need magnification for targets or hunting I purchased a Burris Fastfire III. It does exactly what I wanted without being obtrusive on the classic Ruger carbine.
Nice looking .44 enjoy

jimbo1096 · Jul 2, 2024

RC
Would that fit with the rail on it now or would it have to be mounted with the rail taken off?

Uncle Howie · Jul 2, 2024

Always hard to give answers to these types of inquiries, without hurting someone’s feelings. Aw, to heck with it- here goes!

I guess I’m a semi-traditionalist(?). I don’t personally care for Picatinny type rails on things unless it’s a modern style firearm, like an AR.

You said you’re not much of a hunter, and plan to use it “sparingly.” That’s good info, but please tell us more about your intended use.

How about:
-using it hunting, or as a “range toy?”
-likely quarry, if hunting? (I’d assume whitetail deer?)
-what kind of weather conditions?
-dawn/dusk, or more like the middle of the day?
-in a stand, “posting” for deer drives, or still-hunting?
-what distance might your shots be?
-will your quarry be standing/walking, or more likely to be running?

For still hunting and/or expected shots at short ranges, the factory iron sights might be just fine. They’re “clean,” and they’re paid for!

For a little longer shot, consider something like an aperture or “peep” sight. Also “clean,” but they tend to offer a more precise sight picture often resulting in better “accuracy.” Maybe something like this one, from Skinner:
https://skinnersights.com/collections/ruger/products/skinner-860-sight
A low-powered scope like 1-4X or 1.5-5X, might be a good choice. Looks good, dial it down for most use, but crank it up, if a 100-yard shot presents itself. Magnification of 4X should be fine, out to 100 yards. “People” (including me!) tend to “over-scope” things.

Varoius versions of electronic sights (EOTECH, Aimpoint, UltraDot, Burris Fastfire, etc.) might be very practical, but I’m just “not there yet,” for hunting. I use them at the range for fun, I use them at work for business… but somehow they just don’t translate well to hunting… for me (only).

Whatever you choose, I’d advocate for something low and/or compact. A monster-sized electronic sight (or 4-16 x 50mm scope) would ruin the lines of that rifle, IMHO. Something up to a 2-7 x 33mm might look OK, but no need to look cartoonish!

My personal choice would be an aperture sight or about a 1-4X type scope, mounted as low as possible.

Take that Picatinny rail off and sell it to somebody else, who really “needs” it. Just don’t tell your buddy!

RC44Mag · Jul 2, 2024

jimbo1096 said:
RC
Would that fit with the rail on it now or would it have to be mounted with the rail taken off?

I can't say for sure but likely it will and if not you can get one that easily attaches to your 44 for very little cash. If you can see in my crappy pics my Burris is sitting on a mount.
https://www.burrisoptics.com/red-dots/fastfire-red-dot-reflex-sight

Guv · Jul 3, 2024

Uncle Howie said:
Always hard to give answers to these types of inquiries, without hurting someone's feelings. Aw, to heck with it- here goes!

I guess I'm a semi-traditionalist(?). I don't personally care for Picatinny type rails on things unless it's a modern style firearm, like an AR.

You said you're not much of a hunter, and plan to use it "sparingly." That's good info, but please tell us more about your intended use.

How about:
-using it hunting, or as a "range toy?"
-likely quarry, if hunting? (I'd assume whitetail deer?)
-what kind of weather conditions?
-dawn/dusk, or more like the middle of the day?
-in a stand, "posting" for deer drives, or still-hunting?
-what distance might your shots be?
-will your quarry be standing/walking, or more likely to be running?

For still hunting and/or expected shots at short ranges, the factory iron sights might be just fine. They're "clean," and they're paid for!

For a little longer shot, consider something like an aperture or "peep" sight. Also "clean," but they tend to offer a more precise sight picture often resulting in better "accuracy." Maybe something like this one, from Skinner:
https://skinnersights.com/collections/ruger/products/skinner-860-sight
A low-powered scope like 1-4X or 1.5-5X, might be a good choice. Looks good, dial it down for most use, but crank it up, if a 100-yard shot presents itself. Magnification of 4X should be fine, out to 100 yards. "People" (including me!) tend to "over-scope" things.

Varoius versions of electronic sights (EOTECH, Aimpoint, UltraDot, Burris Fastfire, etc.) might be very practical, but I'm just "not there yet," for hunting. I use them at the range for fun, I use them at work for business… but somehow they just don't translate well to hunting… for me (only).

Whatever you choose, I'd advocate for something low and/or compact. A monster-sized electronic sight (or 4-16 x 50mm scope) would ruin the lines of that rifle, IMHO. Something up to a 2-7 x 33mm might look OK, but no need to look cartoonish!

My personal choice would be an aperture sight or about a 1-4X type scope, mounted as low as possible.

Take that Picatinny rail off and sell it to somebody else, who really "needs" it. Just don't tell your buddy!

Couldn't agree more!
I have a walnut, blue 77 44 with a Gloss finished 2.5X Leupold Compact shotgun scope, with the heavy duplex. Perfect pair, in my opinion

I also have a Williams peep sight on my plain Jane 10 22.
My poor man’s 30 carbine (wish I had one of those).

The above mentioned 77 44 came from my cousin with a 1.5-4 Leupold with the Hog Plex. Also, I feel a great choice on a carbine, especially my new LC45 Carbine

I respectfully am not a fan of rails on what I see as traditional hunting rifles or pistols.
They are great and have their advantages but just not for me. To each their own.

contender · Jul 3, 2024

Lots of good comments & thoughts above. Study them & see if you can get your question answered.
My question is your comment;

"He said it was expensive and hard to get, I wouldn't know because I don't know optics or scopes."

Optics of any kind can be cheap or expensive and anywhere in between. ALL are readily available & easy to get.

The use of the rail system shown,, when combined with a scope is fairly easy to use. Some red dot optics may or may not be capable of use with that rail. For the money,, I too really enjoy the Burris red dots. But a less expensive option that has been proving quite good is the Vortex line.
For scopes,, standard rifle scopes can be had easily,, and all you'll need to add are the rings.

Using the info provided above by others,,, only YOU can decide what will fit your needs.

GunnyGene · Jul 3, 2024

If you decide to go with an optic(scope, red dot, LPVO, reflex, etc.) there are a number of issues you need to consider. Clarity of glass, reticle type, turret function (mushy(bad) or clicky(good), focal plane, parallax adjustment,, field of view, non-fogging, proper mounting (rings), battery life (if applicable) etc. All of this, and more, goes into the price of the optic. Anything under $250 is generally not worth buying. You get what you pay for.

Large Bob · Jul 3, 2024

I have a .44 carbine that came with an old Redfield 2-3/4 power "tv" screen scope. I much prefer it to red dots as the rifle is reasonably accurate to 200 yds. It is mostly used as a plinker, but it sometimes comes along on prairie dog hunts for close in dogs coming in under the wire. I have the Skinner peeps on several lever actions and muzzleloaders. They are far superior for me over any factory irons at 100 yds. and are better in low light conditions for my old eyes. I think any low power scope is fine for the ranges a .44 carbine is useful. Most scope rings will fit on that rail but check where you purchase the rings to make sure. Most rails these days are either Picatinny or Weaver style.

hittman · Jul 3, 2024

jimbo1096 said:
I'm not a big hunter. I would only use it sparingly

Seems plenty simple to me based on the above.
Use the iron sites.
But if you wanna tinker with scopes, put something inexpensive on there to get you out to 75 - 100 yards at the range and have fun.

BarryinIN · Jul 4, 2024

My eyes demand either a good set of peep sights or a scope, but I don’t see the need for much magnification on these rifles. They are meant for good-sized targets at rifle-close distance, and should handle and aim fast.

My 44 Carbine has a 4X Weaver scope thats the same vintage as the rifle. Seems about right for me, although a Weaver 2.5X would probably be better.

The current (or not) production Leupold 2.5X would be a good choice for a low magnification fixed power scope. I have one on a CZ 7.62x39 and find it an ideal matchup.
I find conflicting reports that the Leupold 2.5X may be discontinued, but I'm sure there are plenty out there.

A variable power scope is another option. On my bolt action .44 Mag (Ruger 77/44) I used a Leupold 1-4X. Plenty of power at max magnification and quick to use at the low end.

If buying a scope for one today, I'd get an SWFA 1-4X. I have one on another rifle, and have often thought it would be perfect on a .44 Mag carbine. It has an illuminated reticle, and at the 1X setting with both eyes open it is a lot like using a dot sight. I've done that with other scopes at 1X, but this one works the best of all I've tried. At the high end, 4X, I think it's enough magnification for anything I'd ever try to shoot with one of these. It's not a prairie dog dog rifle.
They are usually $400, but they have sales now and then where they are $300 or maybe even less.
https://swfa.com/swfa-1-4x24-ss-illuminated-mil-quad-dm-reticle-30mm-1-mil-clicks/
Another 1-4X I really like is the Trijicon TR-24. It costs almost double the SWFA though. What the Trijicon adds is a choice of reticles, and they are constantly lit, either by tritium (as used in night sights) or by a fiber optic "light gatherer" if there is much of a light source.
I like the triangle reticle in green. With the triangle, I use the tip as a fine aiming point. If I have a quick shot, I just slap the whole triangle on target.
List price of the Trijicon is kind of scary, but I usually see them for a lot less.
https://www.trijicon.com/products/product-family/trijicon-accupoint-TR24

Piranha451 · Jul 7, 2024

I have a Redfield Widefield 1.75-5x20 mounted on mine. I feel it is the perfect size scope for this carbine!

Guv · Jul 7, 2024

Totally agree!

ruger66 · Jul 7, 2024

Mobuck · Jul 7, 2024

There are many options in the LowPowerVariableOptic(LPVO) market. A 1-4x with a 30MM tube makes a good combination with something like the 44 carbine.
A 'dot optic' is good enough but often lacks clarity and precision for 100 yard plus shots. The dot advantages are being very tolerant of eye alignment and offering a definite aiming point in low light.

BarryinIN · Jul 7, 2024

Oh, and regarding the Picatinny rail:
I have come to like them on just about everything. Plenty of options for ring spacing, and changing scopes between rifles is so much easier.

OMCHamlin · Jul 7, 2024

Here is my .44 Carbine, with an old, but fully functional Aimpoint Electronic. This rig has killed several deer in the woods. This particular gun loves Federal 240 Gr. AE SJHPs, and pretty much is coffee can accurate with most others out to 100.

jimbo1096 · Jul 13, 2024

Iron sights, 50 yds 240gr JSP handloads using H110
4 rounds

Guv · Jul 13, 2024

Dead hog.

mrs50sls56 · Dec 2, 2024

Picture attached of my setup; mini-4x Burris scope (not produced anymore) with an OG Maynard Beuhler mount. I had a peep site setup prior, but my old eyes have trouble focusing. LMK if that would interest you.

Guv · Dec 2, 2024

Very nice!

Hawk-in-Wi · Dec 2, 2024

you might take a look at one of these

https://www.primaryarms.com/primary...rodot-gen-2-autolive-acss-cqb-red-dot-reticle
price today for cyber monday is $169.99

I have them on a couple different rifles and really like them

Air-cooled · Dec 5, 2024

Definitely looks better without rail mount.

RC44Mag · Dec 5, 2024

Have a Burris Fast Fire on mine. For the range limitations of the .44 and the majority of the hunting I do an unmagnified dot is ideal for me. No need to focus on the sights just put dot on kill zone and squeeze.

kmoore · Dec 6, 2024

Answering the question the best way I can. It's a personal thing.
What do you really want to do with the gun and at what ranges? Every method of sighting on a rifle or carbine in this case is available. Form over function? A DOT sight may not look traditional but maybe work great. Nothing will be the best in all forms of use with that rifle. Define primary use 1st for you. Than, look for sighting options that fit that use.

Air-cooled · Dec 7, 2024

My opinion only. For a classic carbine that is no longer manufactured, form is every bit as important as function. If all I wanted was function, I'd have beat up stocks, rusty pitted exterior, and drill holes to accommodate accessories. You can find such guns all day long for low money. For accurizing the Ruger .44 carbine I'll take a classic scope or factory peep sights. For my AR style rifles, anything goes.

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