lever action 45/70 or 444 marlin ?

I don't have any experience with the 45-70 but from what I've read the 444 Marlin has more "umph" ft./sec & energy & range. I know nothing about the 450 Marlin. I have a Marlin 444S and I like it. I think any of the above is more than adequate for bear/moose at respectable ranges. Go to any of the ammo manufacturers websites federal, hornady, remington etc. and compare the rounds side by side ........ft/sec., energy, velocities, bullet drop at certain distances you can learn alot by comparing them that way. Good luck.
 
The 45/70 is much more versatile than the other two.In a modern Marlin you can load almost anything for anything in the 45/70.
Just my two cents.
 
From what ive seen here in Ontario 45/70 can be cheaper and is easier to find. Even at some gunshops 45/70 occasionally is limited in type or sold out. I have yet to see the other two commonly on the shelves. I think the 450 Marlin is pricey to.
 
I have shot deer with both the 444(Win Timber Carbine), and 45/70(Marlin Guide Gun), and both worked very well.I don't have a negative opinion, nor do I favor one over the other. Both good.

I would shy away from the 450, just because I doubt factory ammo will be around for long.
 
I beg to disagree.
A 450 is a modern version of a 4570, designed by Hornady/Marlin made with a belted case so the higher performance loads cannot be chambered in a 4570. Problem with 4570 factory loads is they're very light due to the many old and lower pressure tolerance 4570's still in circulation. To put it bluntly, in terms of factory ammo, the 4570 is a wimp compared to Hornady 450 marlin ammo.(If I remember correctly, 1400fps vs 2100fps +-)

If you reload there's no practical difference between the two. 4570 fans will tout the 4570 case can hold more powder, which is true; what they won't tell you is a 450 has more mv, so the extra powder isn't "extra", it's "catchup". With the exception of brass, identical loading components are used, and if you like, load data. Neither is a "common" caliber, and whichever you get you'll have to look for ammo, or components, but it takes very little looking to find.
Browning makes a 450blr, marlin makes both. Despite 4570 fans being just as rabid as tikka fans, My best advice is between the two it comes down to a coin flip if you want a marlin, a 450 if you want a blr.

Can't help you with a 444. You can look on the marlin owners forum.
 
Personally I like the 444. It has a flatter trajectory than the 45/70, recoil is more than manageable and it was designed with deer, moose and the like in mind and it performs very well. I live on the east coast and there are two locations in my little city that stocks ammo and all the major sporting good stores will gladly ship it also.
Nothing against the 45/70 but when I hear people argue that they can load it to 80% performance of a 458 mag I can't help but think, why don't you just buy a 458 mag and get it over with?
Just my opinion!
 
.444 is a bit flatter shooting. ammo is expensive for both. I looked at the .444 but opted for the 45-70, but purely cause it felt more cowboy/nostalgic for me.. 45-70 Leverevolution ammo shoots pretty flat, is extremely accurate, and the recoil is manageable. Either way you are going the right route my friend, Enjoy!

I would recommend a scope, unless you have a lot of iron sights experience. It will maximize your rifles potential, as blasphemous as it is.

Also if you find the recoil uncomfortable, a Limbsaver recoil pad will fix that quite well.

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As per everyone else, ammo is cheaper and easier to find.

The difference between the rounds won't matter to the animal you kill. And both kill very well.

For Northern Ontario heavy woods there is little to compare either round to.

If you want to shoot over 150 yards you would be better with a lighter caliber. But then again where are you going to find 150 yards in the bush.

I went with tradition and got the marlin gs 45/70 stainless.
 
fleury said:
how does a 45/70 work on a gopher??? just curious and :nest:
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There's a good side and a bad side. If you hit, good but if you miss, you build them an escape route. My first acquisition of the two choices available was a Marlin 444S. Using Hornady 265gr FP's in handloads it has performed well on a number of Deer, Black Bear and Moose.

Marlin444S444.jpg


I felt the need and have also acquired a Marlin 1895GS in 45-70. For accuracy with jacketed bullets it seems to like the 400gr Speer FP and the 405gr Remington. Admittedly:redface:, I haven't used it on game yet but it has 'punched' paper well and I'm sure it is capeable of making Gopher escape routes:p.

Marlin1895GS45-70.jpg


I don't plan on parting with either but if I was only to pick and purchase one, it would be the 45-70. Also, both are fun to shoot with cast bullet loads.
 
Meh. The .450 Marlin is just the "Lawyer's Guide Gun". If you handload there's no appreciable difference...it's the EXACT SAME action for crying out loud. The only reason it exists is as an attempt to keep dummies from putting more potent 45/70 loads into older actions.
 
I own all three calibers. Got the .444 first and have killed over 25 bears with it. I have also killed bears with the .450. All one shot kills, and I can't tell the difference as to which kills "better" or faster. I love Marlin lever guns. They always were better quality than Winchester levers IMHO.
 
daddylonglegs said:
I love Marlin lever guns. They always were better quality than Winchester levers IMHO.
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LOL....I wouldn't trade you my Timber Carbine 444, for all three of the Marlins.

Where I do agree is, the 444, and 45-70 kill equally as well without any difference from my experiences.
 
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