Ruger 44 Carbine

[Suo Gan]

Who is shooting cast out of this one? Wondering about the gas port and clogging, etc. What do you know? Thanks

[Suo Gan]

I am picking up the gun Tomorrow, its one that I have wanted for a loooong time. Is anyone shooting boolits in theirs?

[felix]

I use the lever gun version. All the versions have 20 twist now, provided they were made after 2000. No problem with accuracy at both min and max loadings. ... felix

[Uncle R.]

I've used cast in my 44 carbine for many years with excellent accuracy and no problems at all. I use the RCBS 44-240-SWC cast from linotype - just because I have lots of linotype on hand. They're sized .430 lubed w/ LBT blue and gas checked. Accuracy is actually better than jacketed and I have zero leading or gas port issues.
Uncle R.

[Suo Gan]

I've used cast in my 44 carbine for many years with excellent accuracy and no problems at all. I use the RCBS 44-240-SWC cast from linotype - just because I have lots of linotype on hand. They're sized .430 lubed w/ LBT blue and gas checked. Accuracy is actually better than jacketed and I have zero leading or gas port issues.
Uncle R.

Unc, The soft or hard LBT blue? No problems at all with the gas system? Do you have a maintenance schedule? Anyway, boolits or bullets its gonna be a keeper! Have you run anything heavier through the gun? What load are you using with the RCBS boolit? What is the twist of the old guns? I believe mine is mid sixties thereabouts. Thanks

[Uncle R.]

Don't know the twist - never actually checked. The gun has a plastic butt plate if that tells you anything about the vintage...
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The load is 23.5 of 296 - I think with a WLP but I'll have to check my notes for primer type when I get home. A moderate roll crimp. Blue is regular old fashioned "original" blue - not the soft stuff. I usually heat the lubrisizer a bit when I'm using it but I probably wouldn't have to in the summer.
Absobloodylutely no leading and no problems with the gas system. I usually clean the barrel from the muzzle with a few passes of #9 on a patch and a brass guide. I haven't had the gas piston out in ages. I used to worry about cleaning it but it's proven to be a waste of time. I DO have to clean the action fairly often though - when the bolt and receiver load up with even a little crud reliability goes downhill quickly. I have this problem with either jacketed or cast at equal levels. I've never used anything heavier than the RCBS cast or 240 gr jacketed.
Good luck - I think you'll like it. Mine's a fun little gun to mess with on the range and a surprisingly effective tool when I'm participating in a deer drive in the brush.
Uncle R.

[felix]

Twist is around 36 in the older guns. 265 grainers would be about max, consistently. ... felix

[Hang Fire]

I may be wrong, but IIRC, the Ruger .44 mag I had in the late 60s had a 1:38 twist.

[felix]

Correct! ... felix

[Suo Gan]

Thanks for the info. I plan on using it as a scabbard gun for house mice and such . I am hoping it shoots 265 grain boolits. Believe I got a steal at $339 OTD. It ain't perfect, but then neither am I! I actually passed on a K Swiss for $150, real nice shape, with a nice peep sight! I did not think I would be kicking myself so hard for doing that...but is gone, at least I got this one! Thanks again for the help and encouragement. It will be a good woods rife.