Ruger 77/44 .44 Rem Mag Bolt-Action Rifle, 4-Round
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Ruger 77/44 .44 Rem Mag Bolt-Action Rifle is a compact, stainless-steel bolt gun purpose-built for delivering heavy .44 Magnum power in a 5.5-pound, suppressor-ready hunting package. This isn't a scaled-down rifle cartridge—it's a handgun magnum adapted with a 1:20" twist barrel and a four-round rotary magazine for reliability in thick timber. Built around a cold hammer-forged barrel and three-position safety, it fills the gap between traditional lever-action brush guns and lighter-caliber bolt rifles.
What is the Ruger 77/44 used for?
The Ruger 77/44 is engineered for short-range deer and hog hunting in dense cover where shots typically occur under 125 yards. The .44 Magnum cartridge, with proper 240-grain projectiles, delivers over 1,100 ft-lbs at the muzzle, making it lethal for medium game within its effective ballistics range. Its compact 18.5-inch barrel, 5/8"-24 threaded muzzle, and camo synthetic stock specifically suit damp, brushy environments where visibility and maneuverability trump long-range precision.
How does the Ruger 77/44 compare to the Marlin 1894?
The Ruger 77/44 offers superior mechanical accuracy potential and suppressor compatibility versus the traditional Marlin 1894 lever-action in the same caliber. While the Marlin provides faster follow-up shots and a classic aesthetic, the Ruger's rigid bolt-lug engagement and fixed-barrel design typically yield 1.5-inch groups at 100 yards with handloads, compared to the 1894's average 2-3 inch practical accuracy. The 77/44's 5/8"-24 factory threads allow direct suppressor mounting without aftermarket gunsmithing, a distinct advantage for hunters using subsonic loads.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This rifle weighs 5.5 pounds unloaded, with an overall length of 38.5 inches and an 18.5-inch cold hammer-forged barrel. The 1:20" twist rate stabilizes bullets from 180 to 300 grains, while the synthetic stock has a 13.75-inch length of pull. The compact package is 1.3 inches slimmer than a scoped the Stevens 334 .308 Win and balances 2.5 inches forward of the trigger guard, making it exceptionally quick to shoulder in brush.
Who is this NOT for?
Do not buy the 77/44 if you need a rifle for shooting beyond 150 yards or desire a multipurpose varmint/medium-game platform. The .44 Magnum's rainbow trajectory drops over 10 inches at 200 yards even with a 100-yard zero, making ethical shots at that distance impractical. Furthermore, its four-round capacity and proprietary rotary magazine make it a poor choice for high-volume recreational shooting or tactical applications; a standard bolt-action like the Stevens 334 in .243 Win — our editorial take delivers flatter ballistics for similar weight.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with one four-round rotary magazine, a 5/8"-24 thread protector, and factory-installed 1-inch scope rings for Ruger's integral receiver mounts. Ruger does not include a scope, sling, or case, though the rings provide a 0.87-inch height above the receiver for standard objective lenses. You'll need to budget for optics, a mounting tool for the rings, and appropriate hearing protection, especially if you plan to use the threaded muzzle without a suppressor.
Is the Ruger 77/44 worth it at $1,020.99?
At $1,020.99, the 77/44 justifies its cost for hunters specifically needing a weatherproof, compact, and suppressible .44 Magnum rifle with solid accuracy. Compared to threading a Marlin 1894 ($150-$300 gunsmithing) or dealing with the older Ruger 77/44's non-threaded barrel, this model's factory-ready features save time and money. However, if you don't require stainless construction or a threaded barrel, a used lever-action in .44 Magnum can be found for $600-$800, making this a premium choice for specific field conditions.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 5.5 lb — 1.8 lb lighter than a scoped Marlin 1894
- Factory 5/8"-24 threaded barrel for direct suppressor mounting
- 1:20" twist barrel stabilizes heavy 240-300 grain bullets
- Three-position safety allows bolt manipulation on "safe"
- Integral scope mounts and included rings save $40-$60
Trade-offs
- Limited to 4-round capacity via proprietary rotary magazine
- Stock comb is low for modern high-optics rings — may require cheek riser
- .44 Magnum ammunition costs $0.80-$1.20 per round for quality hunting loads
- No iron sights included — requires optics investment immediately
Key attributes
| upc | 736676074266 |
| manufacturer | Ruger / Sturm, Ruger & Co. |
| manufacturer part number | 7426 |
| action | Bolt Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 16.60" |
| caliber/gauge | .44 Magnum |
| capacity | 4 + 1 |
| color | Stainless |
| length | 39.3000 |
| model | 77/44 |
| package height | 2.7 |
| package width | 6.0 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | 3 Position |
| shipping weight | 6.8 |
| sights | Gold Bead Front/Adj Rear |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with .44 Special ammunition?
- Yes, the 77/44 will safely fire .44 Special cartridges, which offer reduced recoil and noise for practice. However, the 1:20" twist rate is optimized for stabilizing longer, heavier .44 Magnum bullets, so accuracy with standard 180-200 grain .44 Special may be less consistent. Always verify function and point of impact shift when switching between cartridge types.
- Is it compatible with aftermarket stocks?
- Aftermarket stock options are limited due to the 77/44's unique action footprint and magazine system. Boyd's produces laminated wood stocks for earlier models, but the Desolve camo synthetic stock on this version is molded specifically for this rifle's bedding system. Replacement requires fitting by a competent gunsmith, adding roughly $250-$400 to the project.
- What suppressor mounting thread pattern does it use?
- The factory barrel uses a 5/8"-24 thread pitch, which is the standard for .44 caliber suppressors from manufacturers like SilencerCo and Dead Air. The threads are cut cleanly and the protector removes with a 3/4-inch wrench. We recommend using a suppressor alignment rod before first use to ensure concentricity, especially with subsonic loads.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Ironclad Armory processes in-stock firearms within 2 business days, with transit times of 3-7 business days via FedEx or UPS to your selected FFL. You must contact your FFL dealer in advance to provide their license and receive our shipping notification. All shipments require an adult signature and valid ID upon delivery.