I had completely forgotten about these and stumbled across one 98% or better. The price was fair, so I decided to give it a try. I haven't been loading for the .44, so once I get the makings I'll form a better opinion.

The bore looks nice and smooth, so I think I'll try some cast loads.

The simplicity of the design reminds me of the 99. The stock looks like it should be on a 10-22. It's light, but definately not streamlined. I'm not a small man, so it actually fits pretty good. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's pretty, but I'll admit I like any wood as opposed to plastic, especially on a lever.

I generally do not like scopes on levers, but in this case it looks right at home. I think it would look odd without one.

The color case lever is actually quite attractive. It looks almost out of place on an otherwise utilitarian looking firearm.

It's a curious item.

Has anyone else had experience with one of these?

Thanks.

I owned one, about 8 years ago, but eventually tired of it because I REALLY wanted a walnut stocked factory gun. (I was too cheap to spring for a custom stock almost the cost of the gun)

Mine shot pretty well, though - I had a low-powered fixed scope on it, a 2x or 3x IIRC.

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I cannot get passed the birch stocks that Ruger uses on many of their firearms, this one included. I almost sold my mini-14 until I found a factory laminated stock to put on it. Now it looks 100 times better.

I have a 96-44. It is a good, reliable, lightweight hunting rifle.

I had one years back. Enjoyed shooting it, fairly accurate. But I just didn't warm to it like a Marlin 94.

I sold my Marlin 1894 as soon as these 96 models came out. The faster twist rate stabilizes heavy bullets better.

This buck was taken in Perry County, South Dakota along the river breaks. One 240 grain Hornady XTP bullet through the chest toppled the animal in his tracks. Distance was approx 80 yards or so.

Sherwood

What is the twist rate for the 96/44? It's discontinued so not on the Ruger website anymore. Also what is the max OAL the magazine will allow?

Looked like a good rifle when it came out but IIRC the magazine was pretty limiting about what bullets you could load.

I sold one a few years ago. First thing I did was put a grind to fit recoil pad on it. I just didn't like the curved smooth plastic butt plate. Probably the handiest, smoothest, fastest cycling lever action I ever owned. And I am a big winchester fan. It wasn't a tack driver, but the first year I took it hunting I shot a small 5 pt. buck at about 75 yards with a red dot scope and hit it right where I aimed, shooting winchester supremes loaded with nosler partitions iirc. I agree, it would have looked alot better with decent piece of walnut.

I have its little brother too, 22 mag lever, and they are both great shooters. The stocks are, Rump Ugly, I agree. I called ruger and they said same stock would cost $75 and there were no other stocks. I checked with Midway, Natches, and a whole lot of custom stock makers to no avail. So i took a saw to the butt,
then installed a recoil slip on pad and a bear neoprene butt cover. Helped the looks some. Thyey are both still a smooth action shooter, not safe queens. Just get several magazines and try them for function. Both have 4 power Zeiss scopes I got from Doug here on 24CF. The 44 mag is my woods deer rifle and 22 mag is the bob cat rig. Good shooting and enjoy your 44 mag.

After I sold mine, THEN I found a fella over on rimfirecentrwl.com, named gatewood, who makes custom walnut stocks for these Ruger leverguns. Figures........

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At the risk of sounding like another poster on this site some may be familiar with - what is the twist and what is the max OAL the magazine will allow?

Twist is 1:20

Two years ago in my quest for an ACCURATE .44 magnum rifle I owned and tried a Ruger 96/44,.44 carbine and a 77/44.I just could not get the accuracy results I wanted so they are all gone.I wish you better luck/success than I had.One thing I do remember was that on the 96/44's I had some FTF's with reloads due to OAL.Pretty finicky in that respect.

Stan in SC

I have had two of the Ruger lever action's. A 44 Magnum and a 22 Magnum. Why a I bought the second one I will never know?? I am glad some of you guys are getting good accuracy from yours. The two I had shot miserably. And I tried a bunch of different factory ammo for the 22 magnum. And factory as well as a lot of dfferent reloads in the 44 magnum.

I liked both of the rifles. They had a good feel to them. I did not expect much in looks for the price. The rifles both functioned very very well also. I just could not get over how bad they shot. Tom.

I have one and the stock is pretty plain but it is wood. Bought mine on a auction with a 1.5 x 4.5 cheap variable and it shoots pretty well. Not pinpoint accuracy but 2" or maybe a little more at 100 yards with the right loads. Haven't shot a deer with it but I'm sure it will knock one on it's rear within 150 yards or so. People try to make the .44 a long range whiz bang which it's not. A 100 yard deer and hog stomper it is. Think I'll keep mine.