Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General 45-70 or .444?

I woke up with an itch a few days ago and its getting worse, i've made my mind up and i want a lever action. My first thought was a marlin 45-70 and when i looked at a local dealer he had two nice used 1894's one in 45-70 and one in .444 i thought maybe you guys could help me make my mind up since i am just getting interested in these type of rifles


thanks-rem_7

You better get both, alot of us have had that same issue. Just cave in and start shooting. Then, let me know which one your sening my way... That will make you feel better, I am sure of it..

Should note, I have the dies for the 45-70, so make sure you like the 444 better...

lol, i dont think that is the type of help im looking for.

The model 1894 Marlin is their proprietary lever gun designed for pistol cartridges, originally, the .44, .38 and .32 WCF rounds. Now it is chambered in rounds such as 44 Mag. and .357 Mag. mainly. It has never been available in big bore rounds such as the .444 or the 45-70. The guns you are speaking of are a Marlin model 444 and a Marlin model 1895. These are both top-line lever actions. Of the two, I would pick the 45-70 (model 1895). The 45-70 is superior to the .444 by virtue of bullet selection. As far as I'm aware (and perhaps my info is dated) the only available bullets for the .444 are ones for the 44 Magnum. The 45-70 has bullets available above 405 grains. It is far more suited to large and dangerous game whereas the .444 is more of a deer round. The 45-70 round is much more widely available too, if that makes any difference. Personally, I don't think the choice is even close.

nuther vote for the .45/70


great cartridge, low recoil rounds avialable that are suitable for trapdoors

plenty of rounds available commercially or loads for roll your own that will let the .45/70 make any critter on this continent set up and take notice or lay down and whimper depending upon where you put that projectile.


but I'm partial, it's my knockabout, snowmachine, boat take anywhere gun.

I drop on down to the .30-30 and .44 mag if I want a smaller lighter lever action


if the .444 is on the same action (95) as the .45/70 I'd have to give the nod to the big boy

Marlin 1895 G in .45-70

Why?

The 45-70 has a huge amount of versatility regarding ammunition choices and availibility. Having said that, I reload for mine but it is nice to know that if I ever had to buy ammo, I know it will be readily available.
Next on your list should be a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem.

Another vote for the 45/70 GOV'T. There are many loads, bullet molds, jacketed bullets, etc on the market for the 45/70; do yourself a favor for the first levergun go heavy duty with the M1895, then add the .444 Marlin after you find you gotta have more!

I'll throw in another vote for the 45-70, but, I am also biased. If what you are considering is the Marlin Guide Gun or the Marlin 1895 Cowboy, you will have a serviceable, hard hitting round coming out of either. I'm partial to the 1895 CB only because I like a longer sight radius and that rifle has a 26" barrel for not much more weight. Either would be a good rifle for you . . .

I've owned both, and if restricted to the choice of just one, it would have to be the .45/70, not that the .444 is a slouch, it's just that the .45/70 is more versatile, as several posters have mentioned.

Read some of Brian Pearce's articles on the .444 and it will get your blood pumped up. If you are a handloader, the .444 is no slouch. Besides, everyone has a 45/70.

my vote...45/70




I cast my own bullets and it sure making shooting cheap .
pete

I'd definitely go with the .45-70 as a hunting round......anything from mild factory loads to "Oh Wow!!" rounds as loaded by a few companies that will take any game on the North American continent.

Is it just me, or has the .444 always seemed to cry out for something like a soft point bullet of 350 grains or so. Loaded to about 2100-2200 fps (should be possible) it woud be a GREAT big game rifle.

The bullet makers have, for some unknown reason, been content to stay with 265 or 300 grain bullets designed for revolver velosity. That's much too light weight for a big bore rifle.

It looks to me like a glaring ommision as the recent "revival" of the .45-70 with proper loads and bullets has proven there "is" a market for a heavy hitting big-bore lever gun.

Hellooooo....is anyone home???? When will we see bullets designed for the .444 instead of retreaded pistol bullets.

Actually, the Hornady 265 grain bullet was designed specifically for the 444 Marlin, not for a pistol cartridge. The Speer 300 grain bullet holds up very well at 444 velocities. Bullet molds can take you up higher in weight, but you're going to lose ooomph fairly quickly. The heavier weights are where the 45-70 shines.

There are some good bullets/loads for the 444 out there, up to 400 gr. You just need to know where to look.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/

I had an 1895 45/70 some years back. Have the itch for another one too, or the 444. Since i load 44Mag already, they could share some bullets. Either one is a very cool powerhouse of a rifle.

Shane you make a great point about reloading already, for the .44 Mag. I was thinking about the 444 just being a longer version of the pistol cartridge when I made my post. I never thought about that aspect of it though.

the .444 sold and i am not set on these two but was leaning toward the 45-70. what is the recoil like on a 300 grain bullet and bigger? no smart a$$ answers please-LOL!

Back when I had my 45/70 I was loading 405gr softpoints to about 1800 fps. Recoil was substantial/painful to me. My rifle had 22" bbl, microgroove rifling, straight grip, and hard plastic buttplate.

45-70 all the way for me. I finally got another a week or so back (Marlin 1895 LTD III) and and a big fat box of bullets arrived in the mail... Yippee!~, Let's see, 250gr, 3 kinds of 300gr, a big bunch of 350's and 400 405's today... Set for a bit, I reckon.

Be safe and shoot big honkin' rifles!

Patty