Brian,
When the 44 Deerslayer (later Deerstalker) came out,Dean Grenell of Gunsport Magazine (no longer in business) did a nice article about loads for it.

He did comment that lead bullets tended to clog up the gas port mechanism and suggested jacket bullets.

Back then,jacketed bullets were not really that common.

I often wondered why that later on,sales of the 44 Ruger carbine did not do well.

Wayne

Top dog
I would love to have one. My grandfather had one for a while but traded it for a marlin lever action. I have the lever action, but sure would rather have the ruger.
Walker

When I was in college at Louisiana Tech in north Louisiana, I was a member of a deer hunting club. Back in those days, mid 1960's, many of the members had hounds that ran the deer to "standers" that were placed at roads or pipeline rights of way, and when the deer crossed the opening, you had about 2 seconds to get off a shot. I know of 3 members that had the Ruger Deerslayer 44 mag semi automatic, and was a very handy outfit.

Pap

Funny thing about the Deerslayer/Stalker is that Ruger first came out with a 44 carbine,then about 4 years later came out with the scaled down version called the 10/22. Usually it is the smaller gun introduced first.

The designer of the 10/22,Doug McClellahan,left Ruger in '64 to start up his own company......Charter Arms.

Bill Ruger first designed the Deerslayer in 38/40 caliber. Destruction tests consisted of loading cases with very fast powder (bullseye) up to the brim and touching it off.

The gun handled all loads with ease. From what I understand,the 44 magnum was later selected because of cartridge availability and more guns being made in that caliber in comparison to the 38/40 but I could be wrong on that

Years agoi,I had opportunities to buy one on occassion but the $108. was too much of a price for me at that time. If I only knew!!!

Wayne

Here's my Winchester Model 94, made in 1952, in 32 Special,period Lyman peep sight, uncommon, and my Model 19-5, pickled, with custom Gutcher sheath.

Pap

Pap,

Great set-up; looks awesome.

Tom Flynn

Pap,
Super nice set up.

A few years ago,Hornady brought new life to the 32 Special (32 WCF) cartridge with the leverlution line of cartridges.

The 32 Special,in my opinion is one of the few most under appreciated cartridges.

Wayne

Wayne
I bought some of those soft pointed bullets, but haven't shot it yet.

Pap

today...I'm a .223/5.56 kinda guy!!!
picked up another one for the locker today....get um while you can!!!

:-)Rocky

probably not the spot for this...BUT...I doubt the question will last long....so, when putting the new gun up, I noticed that I have 2 labeled .223, and 2 labeled 5.56....all "LE"...outside the obvious "furniture" differences...why the difference in caliber indications on the label....all barrels are stamped 5.56 NATO with a 7 twist....
thanks
:-)Rocky