.444 or 45/70

openfire · #1 07-08-2015, 10:16 PM

Thinking about getting a lever action for hunting close range that I might one day also use on a buffalo.
Pro and cons ? General thought? Who likes what?

Digger1 · #2 07-08-2015, 10:22 PM

I'd say 45/70 has greater variety of factory and hand loads. Had one with 18.5" barrel. If I did it again I'd definitely go 24". Sometimes I catch myself sneaking a look at the 32" buffalo rifles...

propliner · #3 07-08-2015, 11:08 PM

I like the .444 with the 265gr flat point. It really can do it all. However, the 45-70 has more ammo choice and can probably be loaded with heavier bullets (350 grain and up) if you prefer that. The .444 shoots a little flatter for a given bullet weight. Both are capable of taking any North American game. It's a matter of preference and I prefer the .444

hardy · #4 07-08-2015, 11:14 PM

45-70 if you don't handload and 45-70 if you do hahaha

now in all seriousness the 45-70. Have one in a marlin guide gun, love it!

Dean2 · #5 07-09-2015, 01:24 AM

Potato Patato. Either will do the job in almost exactly the same fashion, especially if you hand load, as would a 450 Marlin. Only area the 45-70 has a real clear advantage is variety of factory loads.

That said, I have 3 45-70s and no 444s any more. Being left handed, I like levers so I find 45-70, 375 Win/38-55 then 308 to be a well rounded collection of calibers. A Savage 99 or Browning BLR in 308 makes an excellent all round hunting rifle. The 45-70 or 444 is a more specialised short range rig perfect for bear and moose.

74monster · #6 07-09-2015, 01:45 AM

If you handload for the 444, it gives you a wide range (200gr to 355gr) of options. I personally load up the 355gr. Check out the marlin forum as they have different forums for the 45/70 and the 444. Each will tell you why one is better than the other, but there is some great information in each forum

Hagalaz · #7 07-09-2015, 03:33 AM

I vote 45/70. For me its just personal preference, I have fired both & prefer the 45/70.

brewster29 · #8 07-09-2015, 12:37 PM

The 45-70 will allow you to shoot a lot heavier bullets...which is exactly what you would want for buffalo.

The 444 is limited to about 320 grains in lead bullets.
A real stiff 45-70 handload will drive a 405 gr about as fast as that 320, and bullets over 500 gr are available.

Ballistics will be similar as both have similar velocity and both calibers have terribly low B.C. numbers.

A JM Marlin (especially the guide gun) in either caliber is a sweet handling rifle...