Need a GOOD load for a Ruger 77/44 ~ ~ ~ ~ Please

[Glennster]

We tried 20.5 of the 2400 with a Hornady FTX 225 Grain, it was bad.
Also tried a 240 Grain JHP with 19.0 grains of 2400, still stunk.
Looking into trying some H110....
Anybody got some suggestions?
THANKS for any help!!!

 

[hammer24]

Try H110 and 240 xtps. Do a load workup and be sure to use magnum primers and a heavy crimp. I don't have any experience loading the ftx (it's on my to-do list). Have you tried the factory Leverevolution in it? That may tell you if the rifle likes that bullet or not.

 

[snapping turtle]

I heffty dose of lil gun.

If not reloading Winchester white box.

 

[hammer24]

I heffty dose of lil gun.

If not reloading Winchester white box.

I've heard good things about both.

 

[billybob44]

.44 Loads..

Glenn, for what it's worth, a Hornady 240gr. XTP and the Mid to upper listing on Hodgdons Data site, of H110/W-W-296, has always been good to me. I run it in a 9 1/2" SuperRedHawk with GREAT results.
He!! my barrel is almost rifle length, so it should work for you.

Heck, I think a 20ga. Remington 870 weighs less?? HA HA...Bill.

PSO DO DO apply a FIRM crimp!!!

 

[Glennster]

bb44...You're out there Bubba!!! You're crackin' me up!!!!!!!!
Tonight was our first try with the Ruger.......
Thanks for the input!!

 

[baldguy637]

I also tried the 225 ftx but couldn't get it where I wanted it.

I ended up going with 22.5grs of W296 ( same as h110) and a 240gr xtp, its a solid 1 moa load of of my 77/44.

Edit: I am with billybob on the crimp, I do a full crimp on my loads as well.

 

[billybob44]

You may be a little light???

I also tried the 225 ftx but couldn't get it where I wanted it.

I ended up going with 22.5grs of W296 ( same as h110) and a 240gr xtp, its a solid 1 moa load of of my 77/44.

Edit: I am with billybob on the crimp, I do a full crimp on my loads as well.

23.0 Min.-24.0 Max. On the H110 in the Hodgdon Data Site, for 240gr.JHP, in a rifle load.
For ME, I would start at 23.5gr. and work up to the 24.0gr.
For ME, a firm roll crimp on the top edge of the canalure+HOLD on...Bill.

 

[baldguy637]

Also, a trigger job on the ruger makes it a whole new beast! From the factory I found myself pulling right on any shot over 100yds, I had Darrels custom firearms do a 2.5 lb trigger job on it and now it's the best deer rifle I own. I think midway has some trigger kits for them as well, but Darrel was cheaper and will stand by his work. He's done over 10 triggers for me and I haven't had a bit of problems with any of them.

 

[baldguy637]

23.0 Min.-24.0 Max. On the H110 in the Hodgdon Data Site, for 240gr.JHP, in a rifle load.
For ME, I would start at 23.5gr. and work up to the 24.0gr.
For ME, a firm roll crimp on the top edge of the canalure+HOLD on...Bill.

In my speer reloading manual, im thinking it states 22gr min, 25 max. I loaded up loads in half grain increments from min to max and shot them off of a sled at 100. 5 shots each load from a cold bore, 22.5 came out on top by far, winchester magnum primers and remington brass.

My stepdaughter took a deer durring the youth hunt at 40 yds. Pass through double lung, deer went 15 yds.

 

[billybob44]

Good Deal Baldguy..

In my speer reloading manual, im thinking it states 22gr min, 25 max. I loaded up loads in half grain increments from min to max and shot them off of a sled at 100. 5 shots each load from a cold bore, 22.5 came out on top by far, winchester magnum primers and remington brass.

My stepdaughter took a deer durring the youth hunt at 40 yds. Pass through double lung, deer went 15 yds.

IMO, the XTP gets the job done across the board of calibers.

 

[sbrville]

240xtp and 24grains h110 works VERY well out of my Ruger Carbine.

 

[shooter1054]

My Marlin likes 22.5 gns. of Win 296 pushing a 240 XTP. 1-2 inch groups at 100 yards.

 

[Steelworker]

I've been using 20.8 gr. of IMR4227 over 240gr. XTP bullets with great luck out of my Handi Rifle.

 

[rimfire_crazed]

If you're looking for a good substitution for factory ammo, the 240XTP over a near max load of 2400 or H110-W296 is excellent. That being said, proper load development is a must and you'll probably find something that is more accurate while you're working your way up. Compared to premium rifle bullets, XTP's are cheap and there really isn't much of an excuse to not do proper load development.

 

[x10]

I've not done any reall reloading for my 77/44 but I've been shooting the hornady leverevolution 225's and they have shot so well I've not put the effort into loading for the 7744
I can tell you that kieth style 240 SWC will not work through the magazine so when your loading stay away from any heavy bullets with a bunch in front of the cannalure.

I'm shooting still with my factory trigger, its 5lbs but clean so I don't see a reason to change that, and better trigger wont' make the gun shoot better just you. With cold fingers and gloves I'm not sure I need a match trigger.

Ensure that your scope and or sights are on tight and your not getting some wandering around I've seen these gun shoot pretty good with about anything, I'm talking hunting not match accuracy

 

[youngda9]

I just loaded my father some 23gr H110 with 240gr XTP and they cycle his Ruger just fine and are accurate. Watch out bambi !

 

[indymadcaster]

24.0 grains H110 240 grain hornady XTP WLP or CCI 350 primers (load is well below max) back seating die out to seat with NO crimp, then pull the seating stem out of die and put a firm crimp in a separate step
there is not a whitetail god ever made that lives with a well placed shot from it All of mine were Bang-flops DRT
shoots good in pistols too my handi rifle and my ruger 77/44 shoot 1 to 1 1/2 in groups with it @ 100 yards

 

[indymadcaster]

my 77/44 even shoots home cast lee 310 gr LBT style AND they feed right from my magazine! BUT i have a bunch of the 240 xtp left

 

[youngda9]

24.0 grains H110 240 grain hornady XTP WLP or CCI 350 primers (load is well below max)

All the books that I've seen list 23.5-24.5 as the MAX charge for H110....I don't believe this is "well below max"

The Hodgdon website lists 24.0gr of H110 as the max for a 240gr plated bullet.

Good lesson to be learned here....verify everything you hear on the internet with a reliable source of information(good advice for reloading and all other things).