A Small Rifle with Big Performance

When the .44 Remington Magnum cartridge was introduced in late 1955, it was the most powerful handgun cartridge in existence. The Smith & Wesson Model 29 came into being and about the same time Ruger produced the .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk^®. These handguns provided hunters with tools that could be used on medium game as long as the range was appropriate for the shooter’s skill.

From a handgun, the .44 Magnum develops approximately 1200-1300 FT/sec with a 240 grain bullet resulting in muzzle energies in the range of about 800-900 FT LBS. However, when fired from a rifle, the situation is quite different. From a rifle barrel 18.5 inches in length, the velocity with a bullet of the same weight is approximately 1700-1750 ft/sec with a corresponding muzzle energy of about 1500-1600 FT LBS and that is delivered by a heavy bullet of large diameter. This makes a .44 Magnum rifle suitable for hunting a lot of things as long as the range is reasonable.

William B. Ruger was an innovative firearm designer. His view of the .44 Magnum cartridge was that it would not only be usable in a large single action revolver like the Super Blackhawk, but also in a rifle. Ruger’s first .44 Magnum rifle was a gas operated semiauto that somewhat resembled the M1 Carbine and the Ruger 10/22. Originally known as the Deerstalker or Model 44, it utilized a tubular magazine that held four cartridges making it a five-shot rifle. For a few years, the Deerfield that resembled the Ruger Mini 14 or Ranch Rifle and utilized a rotary magazine was produced and it utilized a rotary magazine. It was not long before a slick little lever action with a rounded receiver was introduced, the Model 96/44 that utilized a rotary magazine. Both the Model 44 and 96/44 were trim and handy little rifles. Sadly, all of these rifles have long since been discontinued and at this time they are somewhat rare, highly collectible, and quite expensive.

In the early 1980s, Ruger introduced a bolt action .22 known as the Model 77/22, and I have had one since 1983. The action incorporated a two-piece bolt that has dual locking lugs attached to the rear section of the bolt, the part that rotates as the action is opened and closed. When the bolt is closed, the lugs lock into recesses in the top and bottom of the receiver. The Model 77/22 utilizes a 10-round rotary magazine similar to that used in the famous Ruger 10/22 rimfire autoloader. For a rifle chambered for a rimfire cartridge, the action is extremely robust because apparently Ruger did not plan to stop there. The 77 series rifles utilizing rotary magazines were subsequently produced in .17 HMR, .17 WSM, .22 WMR, .22 Hornet, .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum using essentially the same action. In the magnum centerfire handgun calibers, the result is a short, light rifle that is perfect for situations where targets are at moderate range. Although my first model 77 using a rotary magazine was the .22 LR, I soon added the .22 WMR and eventually a .17 HMR. I am quite fond of these rifles, but I still wanted one more, and it was to be the .44 Magnum version.

When I got the 77/44, I was surprised at how compact and light it is. With a barrel measuring 18.5 inches in length and an overall length of only 38.5 inches, the 77/44 weighs just 5.2 pounds. This is a compact and handy rifle that can serve many purposes. Moreover, it looks like a rifle. The receiver has Ruger’s standard notches for attaching the Ruger rings which come with the rifle. I sometimes have a 1.5-4X Leupold Freedom scope mounted on the rifle, but the factory iron sights are excellent and I prefer to carry it that way. It would be a superb choice for deer, hogs, or predators at short range.

Factory loads in .44 Magnum are available with bullets weighing from 180 to 300 grains. For varmints and predators, loads that have lighter bullets are devastating, and for large game, loads with bullets of 240 grains or greater are the ticket. Two of my favorites are the Winchester 240 grain soft point and the now discontinued Remington 275 grain Core-Lokt loads. If forced to, I could get along fine with the Hornady LEVERevolution^® load that features a 225 grain FTX polymer tipped bullet or the Sig V-Crown with a 240 grain bullet. Of course by handloading a shooter can tailor loads from the level of a .44 Special all the way up to cartridges utilizing 300 grain hard cast bullets that will penetrate almost anything. A very wide range of bullet types can be used for loading .44 Magnum ammunition, making it a very versatile caliber.

My Ruger 77/44 is not superbly accurate, but it is sufficiently accurate for shooting medium game at ranges slightly greater than 100 yards. That is about as far as such rifles should be used because of the curved trajectory of the large caliber, blunt bullets launched at moderate velocity. If I were planning an extended stay in a remote area, the handy and potent Ruger 77/44 would accompany me. Of course I would also find room for my .44 Magnum Ruger Super Blackhawk. The big disadvantage with the Ruger 77/44 is that the MSRP is $1239.

Over the years, Ruger has lapsed then resumed production of some models of the 77 series of rotary magazine rifles, especially in some calibers. It appears that the lapsed state is in effect at this time for the 77/44 except for the stainless version with a composite stock. Some versions have been produced as dealer exclusives so the Ruger 77/44 may available. If you want a short, light rifle that is effective and one becomes available, you should very seriously consider buying it. If the stock is in rough condition, add one the Boyds models that are available for the 77/44.

BOYDS BLOG Ruger 77 44 1