I got a Ruger .44 carbine when I was home on leave in (probably) 1969. I still have it. Walnut stock, receiver sight, four digit serial number. In the early years I shot factory ammo, Norma "Carbine load" with a 240 grain HP. (As an aside, I once bought a box of those that had one cartridge with the bullet seated to the cannelure, in reverse (base first.) When the Normas got harder to find I used Winchester 240 grain HP loads. They all killed deer okay...I mean, it's a 240 grain, .44 bullet, it'll kill any deer. When I started handloading .44's, I used the same load in that, that I loaded for my .44 magnum revolvers: 23.3 grains of H-110 under a Hornady 240 grain XTP HP. It's the most accurate load ever in that rifle and kills deer with boring reliability in anything. I also provide those for a friend who has a 77/44....same results. I've never shot cast in that rifle, not thinking it's a good idea, also have not ever shot lead-free ammo, never having a reason to.
