45-70 all day everyday, brass, bullets, and available bullet weights trump all, plus, it had cool military and buffalo slaying history and to go with it.
The 444 was introduced when the 45-70 had nearly disappeared from the shooting market back on the 1960's. It's factory load with a 265 grain bullet is a weak proposition when compared to the current 45-70 offerings.
The 444 has ample power that a 44 magnum can't provide and is not as heavy in the recoil department as the 45-70, but it just doesn't have all the commercially loaded options, much less the "cool" factor that the 45-70 has.
Get a 45-70 and you won't be disappointed.
