Ruger 44 Magnum Carbine load work up?

[joshb]

A couple years ago, I put a scope on my Ruger semi auto Carbine. I took a box of my pistol loads with me to sight it in and got a 6” group average at 100 yards. I was shooting 240 grain jacketed hollow points. I picked up a pound of H110 and some more 240 JHP with the thought of doing a load work up to see if I can get a better grouping out of the gun.
Now, I’m thinking I might just be asking too much out of the gun. Has anyone shot one and worked up a load?

 

[Charliemac]

The Hodgdon site has the for 240 jacketed with H110 at 23 grs min and 24grs max. Doesn't look like there is much room for variation of the charge? I like IMR4227 and 2400 for going somewhat mild up to real magnum loads. I've shot a friend's Ruger 44 Carbine with factory magnum ammo and the recoil is pretty stout.

 

[centershot]

Josh, I hope you are keeping track of the value of your little gem!

 

[joshb]

Josh, I hope you are keeping track of the value of your little gem!

Yup, thanks. Still kicking myself for selling the second one I had for $600, five years ago!

 

[Adam in WI]

Original tube fed, or is this one of the ones based on the Mini-14?

 

[joshb]

The Hodgdon site has the for 240 jacketed with H110 at 23 grs min and 24grs max. Doesn't look like there is much room for variation of the charge? I like IMR4227 and 2400 for going somewhat mild up to real magnum loads. I've shot a friend's Ruger 44 Carbine with factory magnum ammo and the recoil is pretty stout.

I think of it as my mini 45/70! I put a slip on rubber pad on it.

Original tube fed, or is this one of the ones based on the Mini-14?
Original tube fed finger groove model.

 

[Gb300wm]

Only one I’ve ever shot was with 265 gr factory ammo and it functioned flawlessly with that. Like mentioned before, that little rifle is a recoiler….It sure hammers whitetail deer too

 

[DocBII]

Josh,

Mine likes the 300gr. Hornady XTPs with VV N110 and WLPs. Don't remember the charge, it was towards maximum end of book loads, but not too hot. Tube fed model. Shot around 2 inches at 100 with a red dot sight.

HTH,
DocBII

 

[natdscott]

300MP is probly gonna be your FASTEST powder choice. It was built to do exactly that, in exactly that casing.

But, since those stocks can pretty easily be split, and spare parts are easily available by purchasing another rifle like it......


Go easy. Don't break your sh**.

And if you do, please don't tell us.

 

[Hino895]

I was able to buy one of the rugers a few years ago.
Sent the trigger off to the man in Colorado and he did a amazing job on it, 3 pound amazing.
Factory ammunition or my reloads 3” or so at 50 yards is the norm.
1.5 x 4 scope.
Friend has one and I threw together some hornady FTXs and 296 together and he’s getting 2” at 100 yards.
I’ve wanted one for 45 years now that I have one I’ve lost interest in it.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Dont limit your testing to 1 powder. If H-110 wont git it done, N-110 and 2400 are both good options.

 

[spaniel]

H110 and AA2400 are both excellent powders. more than a few people have thought theirs was broken or sold it off in frustration because it wouldn’t cycle using the faster pistol powders often used in factory 44mag ammo. Pressure is too low at the gas port with those.

I prefer 2400 because H110 must be used at or near max charge, very little room for error.

I had one of those years ago and had to let it go to a family member, I missed it so much I eventually paid a premium to get another. Both were reasonably accurate. Not bedded bolt gun accurate but reasonably.