Looks like the other thread got a bit derailed. Lots of discussion about these carbine rifles in pistol calibers. This one was my dads hog gun when he was my age. It has probably taken more hogs than most people have ever seen. When I turned about 11-12 he let me start toting it. I killed a few deer and hogs with it. I shoot 240gr JSP, with a dead on zero at 50 yards. Anything you shoot in the right spot is taking a permanent nap. I did kill a deer at almost 200 yards, but will confess it was a fluke and probably could never create it again, nor would I recommend what I did.
If anyone ever runs across one of these guns at a reasonable price, jump on it. They are absolutely fabulous for kids, women, or smaller framed adults. No recoil. This is one gun I own that has no price tag on it. If someone stuck many Benjamin's in my face I wouldn't part with it, just means too much to me. I am introducing my nephew this year to hunting, and he will be carrying this gun.
so what make model is it, weight and barrel lenght? Thanks
Ruger made a second run of these guns in 2000 called the Deerfield, .44 Mag using the improvements they have made since the early 70's in the Ruger Mini-14, 10/22, and Mini-30. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe this model you have was made up until around 1978 when it was discontinued. The Deer field only lasted for about 5 years and then Ruger discontinued them. I think sales and marketing was an issue for Ruger, but I can tell you they are great pistol caliber carbines.
Personally I love the Winchester 94 Trapper carbines in pistol calibers, they made them in .357, .44 Mag and .45 Long Colt. I have one in .44 Mag, and as ILuv2hunt stated above, even a hand full of Ben Franklins wouldn't get mine. Now the major difference between the Ruger Semi .44 Mag and the Winchester and Marlin pistol caliber carbines is recoil and the fact they are lever guns, not semi's. The shorter that barrel and lighter they weigh, the more they recoil in the lever action. My 94 trapper has a 16" barrel and after adding a Winchester recoil pad it could only be shot comfortable about 6-8 times before leaving bruises. I sent mine out to Magna-Port in the late 90's and had them port it. $200.00 later, it was the best decision I ever made. It now recoils less than a .243 caliber and my 13 year old step-sons eyes get big and bright everytime we shoot it. He can comfortable cycle 20-40 rounds through it now without a mark... I recently had midwest gun works put a large loop lever on her and now have a regular loop lever and the large wrangler loop lever, interchangable. It's a dream... I will try and get papaJ (AKA Tbone) over here tomorrow and post some pics of her...
I added a 4X Burris scope and she is dead on at 75 yds. Inside 75 yds, if you hit'em in the right spot, they take a quick dirt knap... Depending upon the bullet weight, the carbines in pistol calibers are deadly inside 100 yds. Past 100 yds things start changing quickly with accuracy, especially if your shooting 250 grain -300 grain bullets in a .44 Mag. I have used a 275 grain bullet on shots and in areas where most all shots would be inside 50 yds. Those bullets put hogs on there back quickly inside 50 yds. Shot two hogs in 2003 on Ossabaw Island off the Savannah GA coast on a WMA hunt within 100 ft of each other. One on the morning hunt and one on the afternoon hunt from almost the exact same spot, they were eating clams, crunching away. One hog weighed 175 lbs and the other was 195 lbs field dressed, neither one went further than 10 yds from the point of impact. At 100 yds, with the same bullet the gun shoots nearly 4-5 inches low with the 275 grain bullet. The 240 grain bullet holds tight out to 100 yds and for most hunting applications thats my preferred choice. Have't tried the 300 grainer, but it must drop like a rock past 50-60 yards.
Go to this web site it will tell you what you need to do
http://www.scribd.com/doc/28311061/Ruger-44-Magnum-Deerfield-Carbine
when I shoot to the right it's usualy because im reaching too far for the trigger. I'm shorter than norm to begin with and the heavier I got, the shorter my length of pull became. you said it used to be dead on, have you gained any significant wt? if so shortening the stock is one option, or you can drift the sights a bit if they are in a dovetail with a punch and light hammer. now if I'm not mistaken to move point of impact right front sight moves left, to move poi right ,move rear sight right
