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Both calibers will thump a whitetail with great authority!

Since you don't reload I would go with the 45-70. But if you decide to start then there are so many options. The 45-70 can be loaded down to lightness and up to ferocious! The 444 have FTX bullets available that give it greatly improved BC.

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Originally Posted by Slidellkid
I am thinking about getting a big bore lever gun. I haven't decided which caliber yet; what are your thoughts on each for WT deer in the woods? What about other calibers such as the 375 Winchester? Any other suggestions?

Thanks
Both are more than enough for whitetails. Of the two, I'd go with the .444 for the flatter trajectory and lighter recoil. But honestly, I wouldn't choose either when the .30-30 works so well, recoils less, shoots flatter and is cheaper to shoot.

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I haven't used the 444 but have used the 45-70 on 4 whitetail with great success. I do reload but also like that is a great variety of factory 45-70 on the market. Either one are great cartridges no doubt.

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Love my Marlin 444.

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Not having a 45/70, but having a 444 Marlin since 1981, I'd tend to lean toward it...

after I bought mine, my buddy who always had to "one up me", bought a 45/70 Marlin....

within 150 yds hunting range in the woods...I never saw anything Keith did with his 45/70, that my 444 couldn't do also....

Having handloaded since the mid 90s....my 444 gets fed a diet of SR 4759 for powder with a 300 gr XTP at 1750 fps MV....

That load will pull the rug out from underneath, about anything hit in the right spot out to 150 yds.... since that is fine, as its always been a woods hunting rig...

the boys in the Scout troop and friends of my son, have always enjoyed shooting it when I load 180 or 200 grain XTPs at about 1000 fps out of it....

mega low recoil, but blows the crap out of saplings and stuff, which the kids seem to love..

and I'm sitting on enough brass to out last me, so that isn't an issue either...

nothing wrong with a 45/70.... but nothing wrong with a 444 either...


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I've had both. The 45-70 kicks like a mule on steroids with heavies, that was in Marlin CB though. With light weight bullets recoil was fine, but the bullets acted like gernades.

I got a 444 and like it better. But if I lived in Alaska I would go with the 45-70.

Look up the Safari Grade 444 Marlin. A heavy hitter.

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Originally Posted by HitnRun
Originally Posted by gunner500
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.


Agreed, I had a 45-70 marlin Cowboy and shot 525 gr piledrivers to 1745 fps with a healthy charge of RL-7, even with my old original'86 made in year 1893 I shoot a 500 gr flat nosed grease groove bullet over black powder for a velocity of 1245 fps, I love heavy bullets in all calibers.

And yes, the shooter does his or her part, the 45-70 will never disappoint.


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.444 not have cool factor? That is a gross misstatement


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if you are sitting on the 444 fence, read this and get your blood pumping:

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/17

".444 Marlin- America's Most Versatile Big-Bore Part I "

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45-70 is the king of available factory loads but the .444 is also a great cartridge.....I am going another way just for chits and giggles and am currently looking for a new BLR takedown in .450 Marlin......Hb

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444 is just so damn sweet. I prefer 265 Hornady FP , H4891 , and Starline brass. 1977 S model shoots sub moa for everyone that gets behind it. Sweeeeet.

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Originally Posted by jeeper
444 is just so damn sweet. I prefer 265 Hornady FP , H4891 , and Starline brass. 1977 S model shoots sub moa for everyone that gets behind it. Sweeeeet.
yup all spot on except mine is a 1976


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when i bought my first big bore lever i got the 45-70. lots of ammo choices available. i ended up getting a 450 too and it is a hammer and the ammo is about the same price. i would love to get the 375 but ammo and brass is a problem.


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Buy one of each if possible, and if not, flip a coin. They are both great rounds, but I'm more partial to the .444. I prefer the .375 Winchester over either really.

Honestly, even though I know all three are more powerful, blood trails on deer with my 30/30's are usually shorter.

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Iv killed alot of whitetails, with a 45-70, a Big Black bear and a Buffalo! the rem 405 load will do and the recoil is not bad, on the 375 win. wagon now tho!


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444 would be my choice for deer.


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I've got both. For deer I prefer the .444. My handloads use the Speer 270 gr. Good Dot. I've been very happy with the results.

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I have had a 444, and still have a 45-70 and a 375, for a first timer I recommend the 45-70 for the reasons stated here. plenty of ammo choices from mild to wild and the original 405 grain Remington will take any deer that walks the earth. The other two will try your patience ( and pocket book) getting reloading stuff and factory ammo.

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Originally Posted by Galaxieman
I have had a 444, and still have a 45-70 and a 375, for a first timer I recommend the 45-70 for the reasons stated here. plenty of ammo choices from mild to wild and the original 405 grain Remington will take any deer that walks the earth. The other two will try your patience ( and pocket book) getting reloading stuff and factory ammo.
Ammo for 444 and reloading components ain't hard to find. Hornady Superformance 265 $26.00 a box found using ammoseek.com. Hornady and the mucho great Starline brass is easy to find. Bullets are everywhere.

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I have both and both will kill deer the same. Personally like the 444 myself.

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