RUGER 77/44 EXTRACTION PROBLEM

[pmeans]

I have a Ruger 77/44 rifle. I have been shooting reloads that I used to shoot in a super blackhawk. 9 out of 10 times the rifle will not grip the spent casing and I have to pry it out with a screwdriver. The load is 44Mag, 240 JHP, 22.0 hercules 2400.
Ruger's respones is that they do not recomend firing reloaded ammo.

 

[rugerjunkie]

Try some factory loads to see if they cycle or not and you will know if it is your reloads or if the extractor is gummed up and needs a cleaning.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

If you're getting so much expansion that the case is sticking in the chamber, you might be running them too hot. Any squashed primers? I've never had to "pry" a spent shell out.

I don't know if it's a valid test on a rifle, but on handguns we often test the extractor strength by seeing if it will hold a loaded round against the breach face.

Also, check the extractor for chips.

-- Sam

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I believe straight wall 44 magnum cases should not have to be pried out with a screwdriver. I looked online at the max. load for Alliant 2400 with a 240gr Gold Dot. It was 21.0gr. So you might be 1.0gr or more over max.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/

Have you looked at the chamber to make sure it is clean/smooth?

Is the extractor in good shape? Is it ripping a piece of the case head off?

It might just be that the rifle chamber is tighter than the revolver's chambers and you just need to back-off the charge a little.

Definitely try some good factory ammo like Federal Am Eagle or Winchester White Box. Neither is very expensive. 8) 8)

...Jimbo

 

[pmeans]

This is a new rifle and I clean it after every shooting session. When I loaded the cases in 1995, I used Hercules 2400 ( now Alliant). I used a 1979 Speer Reloding Manual. It had a low of 20.2 and a max of 22.2 with magnum primer. I shot several loads from the low to the max before I chose 22.0 of herc 2400. The spent cases are expanded very tight in the chamber. I had about 100 of these shells left over from a super blackhawk. I have read that some reloaders use a standard primer with this load. It looks like I will have to try different loads and factory ammo to come up with a good load for the rifle.

Paul

 

[sailorb]

All of my current loading data says to use standard large pistol primers with 2400. I think you might be wise to check some current data. Speer specifically recommends standard primers. I use 17 gr of 2400 under a 270 gr Speer Gold Dot and 19 gr under a 240 gr Gold Dot in my Ruger Carbine with great results and no signs of over pressure.

 

[sailorb]

Just another thought. Totally unscientific, but maybe revolvers are a little less pressure sensitive than rifles because of the cylinder gap. A load that is too hot in a rifle chamber might relieve itself to the point you could extract it in a revolver because the gap allowed pressure to drop just enough. It might be sort of a pressure relief valve in the system. Any thoughts? Also, I am not advocating too hot loads to be used in revolvers, just pondering.

 

[woods-walker]

The pressure is too high for the chamber and configuration of this rifle. Always start reloading at the lower end of the "range" of recommend loads.
Appreciate that the engineering of a Ruger allows us to work through our reloading learning curve.