lever action 45/70 or 444 marlin ?

[manboy]

i use a 444 Marlin.

everything i ever shot with it died. in it's tracks. no running away. ever.

i handload for it, 50 grains of 4895 pushing that 265 gr flatpoint seems very effective over the past 10 years.

either way, if you do handload, when you buy a rifle, spend the extra cash and stock up on a decent amount of brass and other components.

 

[NB444]

I see Hornady has a Superformance load now for the 444 pushing their 265 interlock FP out at 2400 fps with 3389 ft.lbs of energy. That looks like s fairly serious load in a factory round.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Quite a few years ago and after a little questional performance of the 240gr Remington loads, starting to reload for my 444S, I opted for the 265gr Hornady bullets. I wasn't disappointed and have been using them ever since. If Hornady is coming out with factory ammo using their 265gr bullets, it's a move in the right direction.

 

[Camp Cook]

I went with the 45-70 due to the vast amount of different bullets/weights available the 444 is a good round far better for hunting than a 223 loaded with a TSX...

 

[Johnn Peterson]

I went with the 45-70 due to the vast amount of different bullets/weights available the 444 is a good round far better for hunting than a 223 loaded with a TSX...

I agree and if I didn't have either and was going to purchase one, it would be a 45-70, primarily for the reasons you've mentioned. I've had my 444S for quite a few years, more than I'd care to admit to.

A few years ago, when I first saw the 1895GS, for the size and power possible with the stiff handloads it's capable of handling, I 'needed' one.

I don't really need both but I couldn't bring myself to part with my old friend the 444S.

 

[Silverback]

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.

Actually the 450 Marlin is a modern version of the old 458 American also known as the 458 X 2".