|
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,954
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,954 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,260 Likes: 11
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,260 Likes: 11 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
New Member
|
New Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 12 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,369
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,369 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,878 Likes: 8
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,878 Likes: 8 |
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...
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,177 Likes: 7
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,177 Likes: 7 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,261 Likes: 2
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,261 Likes: 2 |
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.
Trump Won!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,843
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,843 |
.444 not have cool factor? That is a gross misstatement
My dog is a member of the "Turd Like Clan"
Covert Trail Cameras are JUNK
3 Time Dinkathon Champion #DinkGOAT
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,760
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,760 |
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
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,636
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,636 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,843
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,843 |
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
My dog is a member of the "Turd Like Clan"
Covert Trail Cameras are JUNK
3 Time Dinkathon Champion #DinkGOAT
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,408 |
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.
My diploma is a DD214
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 401
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 401 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 17,740 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 17,740 Likes: 1 |
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!
Deer Camp! about as good as it gets!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1
Campfire Oracle
|
Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1 |
444 would be my choice for deer.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,160 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,160 Likes: 2 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 33
Campfire Greenhorn
|
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 33 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,636
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,636 |
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.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 130
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 130 |
I have both and both will kill deer the same. Personally like the 444 myself.
|
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,193,207
Posts18,503,875
Members73,994
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|