deerfield

[glock2901]

Considering (planning on) a .44 Deerfield. Any Pros/cons, cool/not-cool things to consider? Preference for detatchable mag. ,iron sights is as far as I've gotten.
Thanks.:cool:

[alwaysshootin]

I will assume this is the rifle your refering to.
Pros, would make a great deer rifle in close cover or where shots would not extend beyond 100 yds. It is a handgun cardridge afterall. I was very impressed with its accuracy it has a fold up peep sight and benched can hold a one inch group at 100 yds. It also comes with the Ruger ring set up that alot of their rifles do. Mine are still in the package. Here in Ohio there was rumor to the fact of being able to use rifles that use handgun cartridges,for deer, so thats why I bought mine and we still haven't had the chance to use it. So my Deerfield just sits, only shot about 50 rounds through it to see how it shot.
Cons, no aftermarket anything. No stocks, high capacity mags. The stock is reminicent of their 10/22 very short, I personally could use a couple more inches in length of pull. And a standard 4 round rotary magazine is all there is.
It is not recomended to shoot lead in them because of the gas system which has two alluminum rods fed via ports which return to the bolt for cycleing. It also takes full powered loads to work the action. I have always used Unique powder for my pistol handloads with 12 grains being the max. This would not cycle the Deerfield. Had to switch to H110 and a 24 grain charge was neccessary to function the rifle. Between 24 grains of powder and jacketed bullets only make it a little pricey to shoot especially if its not putting venison on the table. Hope this helps!

[mec]

Originally posted by alwaysshootin

The stock is reminicent of their 10/22 very short, I personally could use a couple more inches in length of pull.


I have the old (original) version and the rubber MINI-14 RECOIL PAD (http://www.veriforcetactical.com/tactical_accessories/324/) fits perfectly and extends the lenght of pull by over an inch. They fit the 10-22 as well. Not sure about the new generation Deerfield but chances are it would work.

[alwaysshootin]

Mec,
I thought that also that the rubber extension may work. I was just a little dissapointed when I didn't see any aftermarket supplies for it. How cool would it be to strap on your back when hiking, a Deerfield with a buttler creek folding stock and a ten round magazine stuffed with 44 mag ammo.
I also like Hogue overmold stocks, I have one set up on my 10/22 squirrel rifle and like it quite a bit.
Called Ruger about a year ago and asked if they knew of anyone making stocks for the Deerfield and they said there was none available.
But the biggest downner is Ohio has not yet aloud the use of rifles that use handgun rounds. In case your wondering here in Ohio we can't use Hi powered rifles. But if they allowed pistol cartridges in a rifle I would not hesitate a second to use my Deerfield. At 100 yards it shoots with any rifle that I have shot with open sights, and way better then any pistol I've shot that far.

[mec]

alwaysshootin, good post, I agree with all of the above, sorry about the Ohio thing;e

Some mags for the .44 would have made it a great weapon. I'm pretty well screwed with my old style with the tube feed..

[alwaysshootin]

Another local gunshop said, "oh yea they (the state) have been talking about it for years now, but they were considering only lever actions if they were going to allow it." Surely they would not allow something as cool as a semi-auto. Thinking about it I wonder what kind of number of Deerfields were sold. If someone were able to use a high powered rifle why would one choose a 44 magnum. Secondly it is rather pricey to shoot. Almost any surplus ammo is cheaper and even a SKS or AK would be a better choice for deer hunting. I will give it credit for being fun to shoot, but, the only gun I didn't enjoy shooting was a H&R single shot 12 guage. For one of those I have to put my old football teeth guard in.;z

[mec]

The Deerfield's purpose was explained to me as a brush gun, the bullet won't deflect near as much as many other types if it should hit a branch. I'm not up on all the energy,fps,velocity stuff so who knows..

Ruger does make a .44 lever gun, don't they?

[alwaysshootin]

But for that kind of money I would go for a Marlin way before the Ruger. Its kinda funny how I ended up with this Deerfield.
All things kinda came together in one weekend. I saw the rifle at a gun show, and thought how cool it would be to have a rifle of the same caliber to compliment one of my favorite pistols. About two rows later a couple of guys from northern Ohio who are at most shows who I have dealt with on a few purchases, proceeded to tell me about going to the annual ODNR meeting telling me they are considering the rifle with pistol cartdridge thing and a light goes off in my head. Upon returning home walking in the door my wife asks me what I would like for xmas. Well here comes that stupid lightbulb going off again, and without thinking I blurt out I want the new Red Ryder, I mean Ruger Deerfield rifle. Never thinking in a million years she get it she did, only saying don't put your eye out when handing me the package. Man was I surprised!
After dissasembling and reading the do's and don'ts and seeing the gas tubes and the warning about not useing lead because it will clog the tubes. Then shooting my hot reloads of 12 gr of unique would not function the rifle, would not eject, I knew they were to mild. Switched to H110 and had to work up to 24 grains to get to function. So now my hot load jacketed rounds would be this load, and tried them in my redhawk;g . OMG took the fun right out of shooting the pistol.Very, very, hot load. Did I mention it was really hot out of a pistol?

[glockawakka]

i love mine, great for carryin around the woods, the thing weights about the same as a 22rifle, i shoot 180gr hollowpoints with mine, it'll tear up a pop bottle at 150yds.

light, handy, fast to the shoulder, still cheaper to shoot than any other centerfire (excluding milslurp) rifle, and it'll make ya hunt harder.