Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ruger 44 carbine

What makes these so pricey?

People want them and they are not making anymore of them would be my guess.

This ^^

One of the ultimate walking Rifles...

I’ve only seen one

When I was a kid, I wanted one badly. Still like the idea, but after reading shaman’s tale of woe, I lost the urge. There are other options.

wish i had bought one when i had the opportunity. instead i bought a marlin 336 in 30/30. that was as brilliant as some some of my financial investments!

I bought one 20+ years ago from a coworker who was selling everything and going on a church mission. I think I paid $300 for it. It's an early model and had some light rust and a couple pits from being stored in a soft case.

It's not especially accurate, but I took my first bear with it and my oldest nephew took his first buck with it. It'll end up going to him, as my kids show very little interest in shooting and hunting.

Got my chuckle for the morning, thanks.

During my early days of deer hunting, a friend of mine used his dad's; I carried it several times.

I'd like to have one for nostalgia's sake, but it's hard for me to justify the cost.

I have shot a few. Not impressed at all. Even 50 yard accuracy was abysmal. I would take a lever 44 mag carbine anyday.

I've always wanted to try one, but it doesn't look like it'll happen.

I'd be curious what folks would suggest for a more economical and accurate alternative for fast short range shots on deer and hogs in areas with lots of cover. AR?

One would seem perfect for where I hunt, but price, durability, and iffy accuracy are off putting.

Thanks.
Ella

In addition to the fact that they haven't been made for awhile, they are a great choice for the still-hunter or tracker. Light to carry, not much recoil, and accurate enough for their intended purpose.

I've had a 44 International for over 50 years. Like every other semi-automatic rifle they need to be kept clean and properly lubricated to be reliable. My 44 International will reliably put 5 240 grain factory loads into 3 MOA at 100 yards. I only use it for still-hunting in cover where most of the targets are closer to 50 yards than 100 yards. My other preferred still-hunting rifle is the Winchester 100, another design that needs to be kept clean and properly lubricated and, like the Ruger 44s, seems to produce polar opposite feeingls among shooters.

Yes an AR in .350 L or .450 BM would be where I'd look first if you want a semi auto. Then add a RDS and a FTS magnifier and you'll be set. It won't look like a traditional deer rifle, but it'll be effective.

I would go AR as well. I looked into the Ruger 77/44 a while back but saw plenty of accuracy complaints as well. I know a guy with a Thompson,I forget the model (the light weight one) single shot 44 mag with 16" barrel. He showed me a 100 yard target with 5 in less than an inch. It did shoot like crap though with the first ammo he tried. He says it weighs less than 5 lbs.

With so many shotguns coming from the factory drilled and tapped now, I’d consider a 20ga AL as well. Downside might be ammunition cost, and sometimes availability. Smoothbores can go to 100 with good slugs like Brennekes. Rifled ones can go farther.

Did they all come with walnut stocks or did some have the cheap birch stock?

100% Walnut

I’ve owned two. The first one was a long time ago when they first came out. I was frustrated that they wouldn’t wok with the Keith style cast bullets it was the tube feed model. The next one was. The later model. I have no need for a 44 that won’t feed cast bullets.