Lever action calibers for moose?

Well since everyone thinks that the .444 and the 45/70 are similar, let's compare them using 450 to 600gr. bullets.....
IMHO....The .444 Marlin is closer to the .44 mag....in fact I like the .44 more because there are alot of very effective .44 cal. bullets that I use in the .44 which can't be used in the .444 because the nose is to long and it must be very short for the .444, this eliminates most of the deadly LBT series of bullets including some very nice designs from 280 grs. to 325grs.
 
I do plan to reload in the near future also, I own a Norinco M-14 in 7.62x51 now so would either the .444 or 45/70 make more sense if I am reloading for the .308 Win as well?
 
Lots of good choices. I use a 444 and have for years, a fine moose rifle to 200 yards and shines in the bush. I'm a little old school and would want something in a larer caliber in a traditional tube fed lever. The 30-30, 32 WS, 35 Rem, 38-55, et al, are fine rounds but if your buying for moose the next step up is sensible. The 444 is ideal (handload 265gr Hornady FN to start, I have had good moose performance from mine), the 45-70 is a thumper at both ends, 450 Marlin is as well. The nice thing about big bore levers is that they handle deer real well without massive meat loss and make good all arounder cartridges. Handloading the 444 and 45-70 would be required as far as I'm concerned over the long haul. Loaded down with lead bullets a guy can practice cheap without the kick. My 444 is a dandy rabbit rifle!

You will hear stories about the kick. It is quite manageable with a little practice. I know a guy who uses a gel bike seat cover on the bench, amazingly effective! Offhand hold your rifle firm and roll your torso with the recoil, its fun to shoot a heavy kicker well.

The Browning BLRs, Savages 99, Winchester 88, handle the spitzer bullet and higher intensity rounds. I like the 358 Winchester and would consider it a very good moose rifle. The 308 or 30-06 are never a mistake and make a good base standard for moose. I prefer the BLR as I had one once and it was great. It also has an external hammer which I prefer for reasons of safety. Any of these rifles will do you proud.
 
Reloading will be the same, brass may be easier to find for the 45/70, the dies you buy should be a 3 die set as you expand and bell the case mouth with a sep. die. The 45/70 may be cheaper to reload as it thrives on the less expensive cast bullets, the same cast bullets are what gives the 45/70 the edge in power when some of the LBT designs are used. These are the same bullets that Garrett and Buffalo Bore use and are meant for the largest of game. I would suggest that you avoid the Marlin Micro-groove barrels that they may still use in the .444 though not the 45/70.
 
Max-4 said:
Nope, I have it down to either the .444 Marlin or the 45/70 Gov't. I obviously had the dates wrong for the .444 marlin and when it was first introduced. This gun in either the .444 or the 45/70 is exactly the gun I want to carry in the bush, 22" barrel and 40.5" overall length is perfect for me.

So, I know the 45/70 is the more powerful round and can shoot the bigger 300+ grain bullets. I want this to be an effective Ontario moose gun in the bush, shots will always be under 200 yards and more likely 60 to 100 yards. So neither one of these calibers will be discontinued any time soon if they have been around for that long.

I may reload in the future but it is more likely that I buy a few boxes and sight it in, then shoot a few shots a year to keep the zero and hunt every October with it for moose, thats it.

What are the biggest advantages and disadvantages of each round? Are there any differences in the bullets used in each round, im not talking weight, are they both handgun type bullets? What is the better hunting round?
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Max, as far as the two are concerned, I had a cousin that had a 444 and it was devastating on bear and deer. 265gr bullets and you away to the races. http://www.hornady.com/store/444-Marlin-265-gr-FTX-LEVERevolution/
 
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As proven above, the 30-30 is a close range moose cartridge. But I'd not give it out to someone who isn't going to take a well placed shot. If I remember correctly, this one was shot near the spine from a ridge top, and the bullet lodged in the offside shoulder. Penetration was around 18 inches. The load was a Hornady Interlock 170 grain, at factory pressures. Distance paced at 85 yards. Moose went straight down, and never even twitched.
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For the newb, I'd probably recommend something of 308 Winchester killing ability (with 165 grain bullets or more) or above. For most Ontario bush conditions at any rate.

That included a bunch or cartridges.

The 45-70 in factory form might not appear to fit, but it does. It's killing ability far exceeds anything you'd expect from paper ballistics.
 
Without reading all 9 pages of posts I'll weigh in with my experience with a 45/70 Marlin guide gun. Simply put it will kill a moose. I shoot 405 gr buffalo bore bullets out of mine and have used it to finish off moose that clients haave wounded. A 405 grain buffalo bore bullet will break the shoulder and penetrate clear to the back of the ribs on a quartering to alaska yukon bull, approximately a meter of penetration. Good enough?
 
At the distances and terrain you are talking about, you sure couldn't beat a nice old (or new repro) Winchester Model 71. You will not find a smoother lever action, they feel wonderful, and mine is a tack driver with my peep sight. I have never had problems finding ammo at gun shows, and now that they are making the 71 again, ammo is available again too. It is a 250 grain bullet coming out the end of the barrel at 2520 fps. Would work just dandy on a Moose where you are talking about hunting. I use Silvertips in mine. Winchester really got it right with this rifle.
See if you can get your hands on a few of the rifles you have narrowed it down to, and see what just "feels right" to you. In the end, most of them will do the job, you just need to find the one that is right for you.
Good luck with your decision.
Matt
 
I have a Savage 99C in 308 and a Browning Saddle Ring Carbine in 45/70. Even with a 325gr Leverevolution round in it that thing is potent.
Someone told me the 45/90 was an original buffalo gun and that was BP days. I imagine a 45/70 with smokeless would be up to the task. Nice thing to carry in grizz territory. Love my levers. Got a bunch of them.
 
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