77/44

[bigdaddydo]

bought a 77/44 about a month ago and I am very pleased with the rifle. the trigger stinks, but I put in a timney sear and spring kit, now it is a 3lb trigger. My gun shoots well with 300gr. Hornday xtp's tried 225gr and 240, did not like them. I am shooting 13/8' 3 shot groups at 100 yards and 1" groups at 50 yards. I have a leupold vx1 3x9 scope on it. I harvested 3 deer in the past 24hrs with it, 2 doe and an 8pt buck. Gun and ammo worked great, all 3 deer dropped with 30 yards of where being hit. The buck was facing me at 30 yards and I shot him right in the white patch, I found the bullet right under the skin near his private parts, perfect mushroom. The bullet exited on both the does. Where I live it is slug gun, muzzleloader state, this new rig is the way to go! I could not be happier!

 

[gunman42782]

Welcome to the forum! Glad you like your new Ruger. Would like to have one of those 77/44s myself. Congratulations on you deer too.

 

[96/44]

Those 300gr XTP's are my first choice too. Out of a carbine or revolver, they do the trick every time. Glad you like your new gun.

 

[bigdaddydo]

Thanks for the welcome and I agree on the 300xtp's, I am going to try them out of my muzzloader also.

 

[RJ556]

Bigdaddydo, Do you use factory XTP 300 grain ammo in your 77/44 or do you hand load the 300 grain XTP bullets? If handloads, which powder are you using? Thanks.

 

[bigdaddydo]

I use factory ammo, I weighed the bullet I recovered it retained 95% of its orginal 300 grains. I am sure with handloads the accuracy would improve. I am pleased with the groups have been getting. I have also shot the rifle several times from a cold barrel and the point of impact has always been the same. All my other centerfire rifles will shoot 3/4" (3shot groups) or less at 100 yards. I set my expectations lower for this little carbine. It is a deer thumping combo.

 

[RJ556]

Bigdaddydo, I will stick with my present loads for doing any hunting this year, but I will definitely give the 300 grain XTP's a go, after the season. When I started testing loads in my 77/44, I was a bit concerned about recoil with real heavy bullets because about a year ago I had surgery on my neck, two disk replacements and a three vertebre fusion, but The recoil was very moderate with 270 grain bullets so I don't think the 300 grainers would be that much worse. Thanks for the info.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Does your state have an exemption for the 77/44 with its revolver cartridge? I really wish Ohio would allow deer hunting with carbines that fire straightwall pistol cartridges. They already allow handguns that do so.

 

[RJ556]

Ferguson, In Florida we are allowed to hunt with rifles. I just like the 44 Mag carbine because of the light weight and effectiveness at short ranges. However, I do most of my hunting in Alabama, which also allows rifles.

 

[RJ556]

Oops! double tap :?

 

[bigdaddydo]

Yes, Indiana passed a law a couple of years ago that we can use select handgun loads in rifles, 44mag and 500 S&W qualify but the 460 S&W does not, it has to do with the case length. Guys are making wildcat rifles, taking a wssm case and necking it up to handle a .35 cal bullet. A friend of mine has one and has taken deer at 230 yards. You have to a special barrel made, specials dies, etc... a lot of work, I usually hunt in the woods where a 100 yard shot in a long way. There is talk about the 460 S&W may be legal next year, if so I will have to look into a #1 in a this caliber.

 

[bigdaddydo]

Single Sixer, sounds like you went through a lot of surgey and pain. A friend of mine had his shoulder rebuilt and made the switch from a slug gun to a .44mag rifle. He could not handle the recoil from the slug gun. I'm sure you are happy that you are able to hunt after all you have been through.