96/44 Lever gun ?

[HIVO]

Does anyone know if I can shoot 44spl in this rifle? Looking for lower recoil for a youngster. Thanks.
HIVO

 

[Chief 101]

I would think you could. Try it you should be happy with the results. One of the advantages of reloading is tailoring ammo to what the needs are...good luck

 

[wwb]

I wouldn't do it... fire enough .44 Specials in that rifle, and you will build up a ring of crud in the chamber at the case mouth of the Specials. Just as in revolvers, this can make it difficult or even impossible to chamber a Magnum length round. Worse, you may be able to chamber and fire a round, but then find that it won't extract. And scrubbing the cylinder of a revolver, even though there are 6 holes to clean, is a whole lot easier than getting rid of that ring in a Model 96.

Reloading something approximating a .44 Spl +P, but in a .44 Mag case is the way to go.

 

[SteveRuger]

I wouldn't do it... fire enough .44 Specials in that rifle, and you will build up a ring of crud in the chamber at the case mouth of the Specials. Just as in revolvers, this can make it difficult or even impossible to chamber a Magnum length round. Worse, you may be able to chamber and fire a round, but then find that it won't extract. And scrubbing the cylinder of a revolver, even though there are 6 holes to clean, is a whole lot easier than getting rid of that ring in a Model 96.

Reloading something approximating a .44 Spl +P, but in a .44 Mag case is the way to go.

+1 IMHO

 

[HIVO]

Thanks guys. I think I'll try to find some light loaded mag rounds. I was wondering about the round length being an issue.
HIVO

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I have shot them with no problems but as mentioned before don't let the carbon build up in the chamber. A few rounds at the end of a shooting session before cleaning with a bronze brush and solvent shouldn't be a problem. They will load and fire with no problems.

If you have to buy factory ammo look for some 'cowboy' 44 magnums but be aware they may lead the barrel.