.444 Marlin vs .45-70

Crazytrout

Crazytrout

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In the market for a lever action and have narrowed down to a Marlin in .444 or 45-70.
Would appreciate anyone's comments regarding the best of the two calibres.

Would be used for bear hunting.

Regards

CT
 
If you handload, a 45-70 will do everything that the 450 Marlin will do and once that new lever revolution ammo from Hornady shows up in Canada, the factory ammo guys will be all set as well.
Pat
 


.45-70 325 gr. Evolution 82747
Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)
Muzzle 100 yd 200 yd 300 yd 400 yd 500 yd
2050/3032 1729/2158 1450/1516 1225/1083

Trajectory (inches)
Muzzle 100 yd 200 yd 300 yd 400 yd 500 yd
-1.7 3.0 -4.1 -27.8


.450 Marlin, 350 gr. FP 8250
Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)
Muzzle 100 yd 200 yd 300 yd 400 yd 500 yd
2100/3427 1720/2298 1397/1516 1156/1039 - -

Trajectory (inches)
Muzzle 100 yd 200 yd 300 yd 400 yd 500 yd
-1.50 0.00 -10.40 -38.90 - -
 
Although I only own the 45-70 out of these two I've got a lot of respect for the 444. One day I think I'll get one. The tragectorty is generally a little better but still hits pretty dang hard.
 
Crazytrout said:
Any reason Why??

Regards

CT
Click to expand...

There's a greater variety of .45-70 factory loads from different ammo makers. Lots of stores carry it. There doesn't seem to be that many .444 Marlin factory loads. Might not be an issue if you handload.
 
Go to Beartooth Bullets and check out Loadswap and see the multitude of loads they have for .444 with cast bullets. I loaded 300 gr. cast for my .444 with 58 gr of H335 as per Marshall Stanton's instructions and get 2305 fps measured at the muzzle. That gives a lot of power. Just a thought for you to check out. Karl
 
I bought a .444 way back in 74 and love it. the 45-70 wasn't avalible then. If you handload they are just about the same as far as power. If you don't handload the .444 has the edge. If I was going to get a new rifle I would look for a 45-70 but if I saw a deal on a .444 I would snap it up. The .450 marlin is too new and I don't know if it will still be with us in 10 years IMHO. So if you go that route I would get a set of dies and buy lots of brass, that sort of defeats the purpose of the .450 . It was a full load rifle with factory ammo. You might as well go the 45-70 route and handload, that brass will be around for forever and a day.
 
Hey Crazytrout, I have a 45.70 in both lever and single shot, and a .444 marling in a single shot. If you are going to hunt with either on of these rounds I would go for the 45.70. The 45.70 has tons of bullets to choose from if you're reloading. The .444 not so much, but is a fun gun to plink with. (if you reload) Either round you can drop deer with, I'd be a little nervous with the .444 on a moose. Go with the 45.70, you won't regret it.
 
I have both. But have not tried the 444 out yet.I got 3 boxes of 200 gr.X bullets for the 444.But I still would take my GG over the 444. DAN>>>:cool: :)
 
45-70 hands-down for me too. Even better when reloaded.

DSC00445.jpg


The business end...
0453.jpg
 
I faced the same dilema a couple of years ago and bought the 444 (for the only reason being I always wanted one) in the guide gun configuration.

Found out (from personal experience) that the bullet in the Remington ammo can "blow up" when striking a deer causing absoluetly grievous, but shallow wounds. Havent found the Hornaday ammo anywhere I shop, but my reloads with Hornaday 265 gr. bullets have proved to be lethal on deer.

Bullet selection is definately better with the 45 70, as are energy levels.

In the end, comes down to personal preference and what ammo is the most readily accessible for you to purchase.
 
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