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44 mag rifle

cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,601 ✭✭✭✭
edited April 2002 in Ask the Experts
Well I just bought a Ruger in 44 mag. Not a caliber that I always wanted but it was in SS and walnut plus a great price. Anyone have any experience with this cartrige? Being so short, I can't think it is a long range round. I've got what I've got and it's my first large bore rifle. Is it too short of a round to bother with a scope? Thanks guys, 90% of what I have learned about firearms in the last 2 years have been from this site.

cbxjeffIt's too late for me, save yourself.
It's too late for me, save yourself.
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Comments

  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    Good cal. depending on what you plan on using it for. You are correct that it is not a long range round. For short to moderate range it is good for anything up to and including deer. I have several revolvers and rifles chambered in .44 mag but mainly use for cowboy shooting and camp protection duty. Have fun with it.

    "We become what we habitually do. If we act rightly, we become upright men. If we habitually act wrongly, or weakly, we become weak and corrupt" - *ARISTOTLE*

    **Like Grandad used to say--"It'll feel better when it quits hurtin"
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  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    A good 0-100 yard round.....after that it begins to drop quite a bit, could use it for further distances, I wouldn't go beyond 200yds. (It's a good excuse to get a companion handgun in .44)......can find ammo almost anywhere and a good variety of loads available.
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  • gunpaqgunpaq Member Posts: 4,607 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Use my .44 mag rifles between 50 & 100 yards. With scope, I can shoot out to 200 yards but have found that 150 yards is my maximum effective range. Have taken several deer with it from 75 +/- yards to 125 +/- yards and have killed a lot of water jugs and phone books out to 200 yards. At about 150 yards my .44s really begin to drop. Would not want to get hit with this sledge hammer round at any range.

    Pack slow, fall stable, pull high, hit dead center.
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have one of the early Rugers, circa 1977. Back when I was still hunting deer, I thought it was the perfect rifle for the woods of NH, where 100 yards is a long shot. Light, handy, natural pointer, that big slug resisting deflection from vegetation, etc. I have a peep sight on mine, but imagine I'd have to use a scope nowadays.
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  • gap1916gap1916 Member Posts: 4,977
    edited November -1
    This is a good brush gun. 100 yards it is very functional. I have used it for hogs and deer.
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  • giff6giff6 Member Posts: 18 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I agree with Iconoclast. I have a 44 mag Ruger mannlicker carbine that I have used for many years on whitetail in woods and brush country. Great for under 100 yds.
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  • cbxjeffcbxjeff Member Posts: 17,601 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the reply guys. Maybe this was't such a bad choice in cartrige after all.

    cbxjeffIt's too late for me, save yourself.
    It's too late for me, save yourself.
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  • cpermdcpermd Member Posts: 5,273 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    125 yards it will kill anything.
    My kids and my own deer guns.
    Still have 3 of them and will sell 2 in Sept.
    Very nice classic Bike.
    cpermd@centurytel.net
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  • airborneairborne Member Posts: 1,728 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Great brush gun.

    B - BreatheR - RelaxA - AimS - SightS - Squeeze
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  • JustCJustC Member Posts: 16,056 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    another point requiring mention is the "drive" situation. If you are one of the guys beating the bushes, you will occasionaly get a shot when a deer breaks out of cover right on top of you, this light little gun is a perfect carry piece due to it being short, light, and plenty powerful enough for the 50yd running shot at a whitetail.

    Ditto on getting a pistol to match.

    When in doubt...empty the magazine!!
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