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

Posting for a friend! For woods (deer/elk) and doing the plinking thing. What do you think? Thanx

I think the .444 would do anything needing done, but I like the nostalgia of the .45-70.
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<br>Mike

POP,
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<br>You ought to check the Beartooth Bullet site, as the fellow who runs it, Marshall Stanton, has a couple of .444 Marlin articles that may be of interest. Actually, I think that the Beartooth boards have a lot of good, practical, information and user testimonials for a variety of "things". Mr. Stanton is a big .444 Marlin fan.
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<br>Sincerely,
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<br>Bearrr264
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<br>PS I believe that Winchester/USRA has discontinued the Model 94 .444 Big Bore and I have seen them advertised for less than $300 wholesale. If your friend favors a straight stock, rather than a pistol grip configuration, the Model 94 might be an option worth exploring.

I like the 45-70, it can handle a lot more diverse range of bullert weights. I have shot bullets ranging from a 200gr SWC(oversized .45acp bullet) to 500 gr shoulder smashing(shooter and target) hard cast bullets. I think the 45-70 is just more versitile.
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<br>As far as deer and elk go there is not much difference between the two, I just like the 45-70 better.

Used an old '86 in 45-70 for years and she never failed me. I like the round for the same reasons others have said, for it's versatility, you can load up or down for just about anything.

The following statements are in regards to the load potential of each cartridge in Marlin lever action rifles.
<br>Given equal sectional density the 45-70 Gov't can drive a bullet of similar construction and configuration at least as fast as the 444 Marlin. Given equal weight the 45-70 Gov't can drive a bullet of similar construction and configuration significantly faster than the 444 Marlin.
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<br>Hence, the 45-70 Gov't can shoot as flat as the 444 Marlin and deliver more power while doing so. The obvious result is a significant increase in potential recoil with the 45-70 Gov't over the 444 Marlin.
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<br>However, the deer, black bear, hog, elk, moose, griz, bison or gnat's ass won't know the difference with a well placed shot with a properly constructed bullet from either.
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If so, then he can use some components with the .444, but the .45's and .45/70 don't have much crossover. The .45's are .451" while the .45/70 is .458".
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<br>I have .44's and want to bump up to the .444 to keep things easy on me for casting and reloading.
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In a lever gun, the .444 will produce a higher velocity with 300 grain slugs than lever action class .45-70 loads. The problem with the .444 isn't velocity, but bullet selection. The best large game bullets are either hard cast or some of the 300 grain pistol bullets. Choices are limited.
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<br>In a .45-70 Marlin though, there are a number of great rifle bullets in .458" that will do a fine job. One of the best might be the 400 grain Barnes Original. In a single shot, the .45-70 really shines. In my Wesson & Harrington Buffalo Classic, I average 2300fps with 300 grain Barnes X bullets. Drop at 300 yds is about 17" with a 175 yd zero. No lever gun will match that.

Larry, loaded to their potential in Marlin lever guns the 444 will not drive a 300 grain bullet faster than the 45-70. Hodgdon achieved 2424 fps at 40,000 CUP in the 45-70 with a 300 grain jacketed bullet while only obtaining 2082 fps at 42,500 CUP in the 444 Marlin with a 300 grain jacketed bullet. Both in 24" barrels. Even pushing the 444 Marlin to a SAAMI 44,000 CUP one cannot exceed 45-70 velocities at 40,000 CUP with equal weight bullets of similar construction and configuration out of equal length barrels. Reread my initial premise, it holds true.

POP, for plinking and deer? Ok, I got just the thing that won't scramble your shoulder shocket and dislocate you teeth from your jaw bone as the 444 can do.
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<br>I settled for a neat little lever in a 44magnum, please don't turn your eyes up in dispare, it hits hard enough to down a deer and makes a big hole too. All this without causing pain mind you. The factory shells are a lot cheaper too. It's a good 70 yard woods gun on deer, most of those animals are shot much closer, so there you have it Pop.

thanx fellas

I like the 444 myself over the 45-70 but thta is my opinion.I do own both of the rifles and i take the 444marlin when time to hunt no matter which one you choose you will be happy.

I think either one will be more than ample.

I really enjoy reloading those straight cases.

I've shot the .444 in Marlin a lot, really liked it.

I just picked up a .45-70 Marlin Guide Gun in SS.

We'll see...

Again, if you are looking for whitetail and smaller game plus plinking??? Recoil shy? Go for a Marlin '94 in .44 Mag. Hunt whitetail with a 270 gr gold dot. Piggies? Use a Corbon or Buffalo Bore 300 plus grainer. I have used the .44 , .444, .45-70. You want the max slap on both ends go .45-70 Buffalo Bore. I have more molds and swaging dies in the .429 and 457 area than all other calibers combined. Still, the .44 Mag in a lever is good. The Marlin is the best lever offered in my opinion. More safeties than most other two guns. When the lever drops, the front firing pin retracts some, the rear firing pin drops, several other things happen even discounting the confounded lawyers' safety. Look them over. Good luck. Rustyzipper <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />