Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers 444 or 348

Just found this post and it was extremely information packed.
I own a 1954 71 deluxe which I have yet to take to the range, a 1974 Marlin 444S and a 2012 Marlin 444 XLR, both of which have been to the range.
I also have 2 Browning BLRs in 358, one if which has been to the range.
At the end of the day, all of them are fully capable of taking everything on this continent out to a minimum of 200 yards and certainly further.
It really boils down to bullet selection and shot placement.
I doubt I'll ever take the 71 deep into the woods as it is long and heavy compared to the others and my vision limits my shooting to about 100 yards due to either peep or open sights on the 71 though as I understand it, a receiver mounted scope mount was made at one time.
I also own several Savage levers, but nothing larger than the 30 cals.
Between the Marlins and the Brownings, I will choose the Brownings over the Marlins every time.
The Browning actions lend themselves to a higher degree of accuracy IMHO.
I do have a Marlin 308MXLR that is a tack driver though.
I haven't taken the 30-30, 300 Savage, or 303 Savage levers out yet, but my scoped 1935 99 in 250 Savage and scoped 1964 99 in 308 are also tack drivers.
I can easily shoot MOA at 100 yards with a scope and my handloads.
Sorry... Way off topic...
My point is that the only way you'll ever find out which works best for you is to at least try both if you have friends willing to share, or if you can get away with it, buy one of each.
You will never be disappointed with either so long as you do your part.
One can never have too many.
Thank you all for the great information.

I have a 348 that as of yet hasn’t been shot enough since it’s new to me. I have enough brass now to keep it fed for probably as long as I live.

I had a 444 Marlin that I sold in about 1988 or 1989. The 444 wouldn’t feed the cast bullets I have molds for. The bullet selection for the 444 was pretty poor in my opinion. I have no desire to own another 444 unless it would be in a 1885 Winchester or perhaps a modified Jap Ariska. I think the 45-70 is a more useful cartridge than the 444 and I have a Marlin and a 1886 in 45-70.

I had a 358 BLR that a friend pried out of my fingers. I liked the 358 enough that I re-barreled a 700 to 358. I don’t think he has ever shot that 358??

The op asked 444 or 348. Probably the main reason I’d pick the 348, is that I like the Browning ‘71 more than the Marlin 444. Secondly, I think the 348 is a pretty good cartridge. Further I prefer classic cartridges.

If I could include the 358 in the choice of three and could only own one rifle and restricting it to those three, it would be the 358. Having said that I like the Browning ‘71 more than the BLR and I don’t have to play the game “if I could only have one rifle”.

If I were living in Alaska, I might have that ‘71 re-bored/chambered to 450 Alaskan. But is the 450 Alaskan any better than the 45-90?


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If you have not read the article on the Browning ‘71 348 December 2001 by Steve Gash, it’s worth buying via back order; I think it’s a very good article.

If you can shoot a peep sight, the 348 Win.
The Marlin 444 is easy to top with a scope.
PLEASE don't ruin a 348 with that atrocious side mount scope.

Prefer the 444. Marlin is lighter than M71 and easily scoped if wanted. I have a 444 from 77 and hunt with it once in a while. It is smooth , accurate and has a good trigger.

I'd take a 45-70 over wither but between the 444 & 348 I'd go 444 just because most levers chambered in it can be scoped. Not so with a 348 Win.

Sold the model 71 450 Alaskan

Still have an Winchester 71 348
2 of the Browning 20" model 71 in 348 and 348 Ackley
1of the Browning rifles model 71
1 Pedersoli 71 45-70
1 Browning 1895
Pile of Marlins

Leverguns in 338 Marlin Xpress, 33win, 348win, 358win, 356win, and 375win are probably some of the finest hunting rifles ever pieced together. They have enough bullet diameter and weight for larger game and enough range to be useful. It's a shame they didn't become more successful. Now folks use that neutered 350 Legend and 360 Buckspammer, each of which is truly "weak sauce" compared to the old stuff that was already developed.

Either way you are going down the rabbit hole so far as ammo.
Reloading is a must. Hornady no longer makes the 200 jfp in .338" but Hawk Bullets makes them for much less than you will pay for NOS if you can find them. 444 isn't much better.
FWIW, I find the 24" barrel of the 348 rifles to be well balanced.

To me, the 444 is pretty close to the 45-70 when loaded similarly. The 45-70 can use heavier bullets on the top end.

The 348 fills a slightly different ballistic niche than the 444 and 45-70, albeit all are used on basically the same animals. All will work just fine.

I load my 45-70's with heavy bullets, my 348 with 200's or 250's. It's just another way to the same end.

For me, hard to not consider the rifle used. My 1895 Marlin from 1977, my Trapdoor rifle from 1885, and my Shiloh Sharps Business Rifle from 2009 all handle and shoot differently. My Winchester 71 348 from 1955 adds a different dimension distinct enough from my 45-70's that makes hunting with it very enjoyable.

Regards,
Manny

I have a Winchester m71 in .348 and a Marlin Cowboy version in 45-70 and love both . I have never owned a 444 and have never wanted one. If I was only gonna have one it would be the Winchester. I like it better in every way. Could care less about how the three different cartridges stack up against each other, the .348 will kill anything in North America as long as I do my part and that's all any cartridge will do.

Having a few pre-war M-71s in 348 WCF, an early Marlin 45-70, AND a pre-war 71 in 45 Alaskan-probably have
some user-owner experience with the calibers discussed. As to ballistics and bullets, the 348 will be
most satisfactory up to 200 yards.
Range is a factor. Elmer Keith did the testing 75 years ago.
The 444 is limited by 265 gr bullets and range. It will come down to
purpose and intended use of the rifle. A warm loaded 45-70 will keep up
with a 45-90. A 45-90 will almost equal a 450 Alaskan.

A 450-348 like Ackley's version will out perform a 45-90, but
recoil and rifle modifications might discourage many hunters.
I prefer the Winchester/Browning action 86/71 to the Marlin 1895.

I have a 444P that is my go to. Shooting 290 Grain Bear Tooth Cast Bullets makes sure makes me smile!

I have a 94 win. big bore in 444 and makes me smile too with those same bullets.

Both ! I own a triple 4 and an original 71 is on my bucket list. They both ooze cool !

I had a 444 and sold it in 1980 or 1981. I was disappointed in bullet selection. I bought a 320 mold for it and it didn’t shoot well. It’s limited in bullet selection and range. But if the range isn’t a factor and the bullets are OK for the user, go for it.
I have a couple 45-70’s and a 45-90. My Marlin 45-70 is the one I shoot the most, the 45-90 and the other 45-70 are Winchesters, I like them a lot but the 45-90 is heavy. If I were to hunt bison, the 45-90 would be my choice and with heavy cast bullets. My oldest son has his eyes on the 1886 45-70 and I’m keeping that one pretty close to as new. I suspect that fewer than 100 rounds have been shot in it.
I have a Browning model 71. I like it a lot and I’m buying jacketed bullets for it when I find a decent price for them. The 45’s do not need jacketed bullets for any kind of game. The 348 is pretty good with cast and it shoots a couple of them very well, but I would probably use jacketed for dangerous game in the 348.

Not All are bone crunchers on big game. I sold the .348 and .444, not because of the cartridge but more due to the platform, my .45-70 is a Guide gun and is simply better handling than the other two rifles were with the longer barrels."


It is interesting that appearance does not always equal personal performance. For me, the Win 1895 .405 is a better fit than any other big bore lever guns. It is also second only in power to the 45-90 in lever guns. My 1886 45-90 Ele load was 450 grain NF solid at 2150 fps MV - frontal brain shot went through head and into body. DRT



Taken with 405 WCF-

First you get a supply of bullets and brass, then say I need a gun to shoot these up!

I have a bunch of 45-70 stuff, so guess what lever gun I would buy?

My recently acquired waffle top 32 Special and Browning 71 are the last two levers I'd part with. There are a few still to go down the road but these two will stick around. At least until I change my mind.

I once killed a hog with a borrowed .444 and it did the job.

I have several .45-70’s, never had the itch for a .444, although it’s a good round. To me that would be duplication with another set of dies, brass, etc.

My next size down is a .358 Win pre-64 FWT.

DF

Well, guess I forgot about my .375 H&H M-70 as the next size down. I traded my .404J.

DF