The Accurate Reloading Forums
45-70 or a 444 Marlin, Which one would you choose?
21 February 2008, 03:15
Down south45-70 or a 444 Marlin, Which one would you choose?
Hi folks, I’m going to buy one of the NEF Hindi Crack Barrels. It appears that this year we will be able to use one during the primitive weapons hunting season. I’m looking at the 45-70 and the 444 Marlin. Right now I’m leaning towards the 444. I’ll be casting for whichever one I get.
I’d like to know which one you folks would recommend and why.
Thanks, Sam (DS)
21 February 2008, 03:16
Aglifter45-70 -- common ammo, cheap bullets
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
21 February 2008, 03:46
ramrod340quote:
45-70
My choice.
As usual just my $.02
Paul K
21 February 2008, 03:53
p dog shooterI pondered this question a lot also I would go with the 45-70 better choice of bullets more 45 cal moulds ect. But if I was offered a 444 at a very good price I wouldn't pass it up
21 February 2008, 03:53
adrookNo question, 45-70
21 February 2008, 04:22
grizz007.45-70-- pretty good caliber for the largest of N.A. game but the .444 delivers a pretty good punch as well not only up close but down range too. For where you are at I suppose the .444 Marlin would be a very good choice.
21 February 2008, 04:41
Brent.45-70 every time
When there is lead in the air, there is hope in my heart -- MWH ~1996
21 February 2008, 04:59
ManCannon45-70, no doubt!! Much more versatile than than the .444, and hits harder to boot.
"The atomic bomb made the prospect of future war unendurable. It has led us up those last few steps to the mountain pass; and beyond there is a different country." - J. Robert Oppenheimer
21 February 2008, 05:05
Tyler KempThe 45-70 is going to be fine out to 300, same as the 444, but the 45-70 is nostalgic, cheap to load for (as is the 444), and most of all, BIGGER!
Love shooting precision and long range. Big bores too!
Recent college grad, started a company called MK Machining where I'm developing a bullpup rifle chassis system.
21 February 2008, 05:08
maddenwhBoth, of course. Or, just get a 458 Lott and you can load it like a 45/70
"Sometimes nothing can be a pretty cool hand."
470 Heym; 9.3x74r Chapuis, Heym 450/400 on it's way
21 February 2008, 05:17
jeffeossoi bought the 4/5/70.. i call it the crackhead bigbore.. adn then i rechambered to 45-120, and will be load testing in the next week
jeffe
21 February 2008, 05:25
Michael RobinsonI would not own one of those break-open "handi" rifles unless I made it myself out of 2x4s, pipe and other plumbing supplies in my cellar in a post-apocalyptic nightmare that I hope never comes.
But if it does and I did, that sucker would be a .45-70.
Mike
Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
21 February 2008, 05:35
ireload2If you have to ask and you don't already own 10 .45/70s you have to buy a 45/70.
21 February 2008, 05:44
D99quote:
Originally posted by Down south:
Hi folks, I’m going to buy one of the NEF Hindi Crack Barrels. It appears that this year we will be able to use one during the primitive weapons hunting season. I’m looking at the 45-70 and the 444 Marlin. Right now I’m leaning towards the 444. I’ll be casting for whichever one I get.
I’d like to know which one you folks would recommend and why.
Thanks, Sam (DS)
I like both of them and I have both of them in Marlin and a Browning 1885.
I would own both of them again.
21 February 2008, 05:54
Whitworth45-70 -- more good bullets available in .458 caliber than in .429.......plus, the .429 bullets generally are geared (constructed) for .44 mag velocities......JMHO.
"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
21 February 2008, 06:03
500grains45-70 hands down. The 444 is just barely a deer cartridge.
21 February 2008, 06:05
Allan DeGrootAnd since nobody else mentioned it I will...
the 444Marlin can't toss 256-300grain bullest AS fast as the 45-70 can do with 350's and the 45-70 in a single shot can easily load 450gr, 500gr or even heavier bullets.
Within "Reasonable" pressures you can get 2000fps from a 405gr cast bullet.
With cast bullets you'll lead if you try to go too fast so the thing to do is go heavy.....
And the 45-70's typical twist rate of 1:20" or faster (some rifles as fast as 1:16" to handle the heavyweights.
So after all this detail.. no question 45-70.
AD
If I provoke you into thinking then I've done my good deed for the day!
Those who manage to provoke themselves into other activities have only themselves to blame.
*We Band of 45-70er's*
35 year Life Member of the NRA
NRA Life Member since 1984
21 February 2008, 06:20
Tyler KempAnd if you can reload it fast enough the 45-70 is an effective DGR, up to and including elephant.
Love shooting precision and long range. Big bores too!
Recent college grad, started a company called MK Machining where I'm developing a bullpup rifle chassis system.
21 February 2008, 06:29
WhitworthStop
Tyler!! LOL!
"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
21 February 2008, 07:29
DGR ShooterHad to double check to make sure I wasn't over in the lever-action forum, never thought I'd see the 45-70 get so much love over here
All kidding aside, the 45-70 gets my vote on this one too.
21 February 2008, 07:30
GeorgeSUnder what definition would a .444 meet the 'primitive weapons' criteria?
George
21 February 2008, 07:47
MikeyB.45-70 for me. I like Jeffeosso's idea though, .45-120 sounds sexy and powerful, should perform close to a .458 Winchester Magnum, no? 500gr. @ 2000fps?
________
"...And on the 8th day, God created beer so those crazy Canadians wouldn't take over the world..."
21 February 2008, 07:52
maddenwhquote:
Originally posted by Tyler Kemp:
And if you can reload it fast enough the 45-70 is an effective DGR, up to and including elephant.
Don't agree, but does make a good point that the 45/70 is more versatile on the high end for hand loading.
"Sometimes nothing can be a pretty cool hand."
470 Heym; 9.3x74r Chapuis, Heym 450/400 on it's way
21 February 2008, 08:20
CanuckI've always been puzzled about what people see in a 444 Marlin.
21 February 2008, 08:32
Whitworthquote:
Originally posted by Canuck:
I've always been puzzled about what people see in a 444 Marlin.
Glorified .44 magnum.........
"Ignorance you can correct, you can't fix stupid." JWP
If stupidity hurt, a lot of people would be walking around screaming.
Semper Fidelis
"Building Carpal Tunnel one round at a time"
21 February 2008, 09:09
Down southFrom the research that I’ve done and all the replies that I have got I’m fairly sure that I’ll be going with the 45-70. Something else is a that buddy of mine told me a just a little while ago that he has a Wally World bag full of 45-70 brass that he will give me plus a set of RCBS dies he will let me have cheap.
Now I need to locate a couple moulds.
Thanks for all of the replies. DS
21 February 2008, 17:47
Tyler KempCases will last forever with mild loads, no need for the hot ones for hunting. Just use 10 grains of Unique, then a piece of cotton ball, then a cast bullet.
Love shooting precision and long range. Big bores too!
Recent college grad, started a company called MK Machining where I'm developing a bullpup rifle chassis system.
21 February 2008, 18:59
ShortandFatOK I'll be the odd one out
Depends what you want to shoot with it, but for heavy game, you can't go past the 45-70
But if it's just for plinking fun and you want to get it shooting reasonablly flat the 444 can be loaded with lighter .429 pistol bullets, the 45 can't because the pistol is .451,
Some light 180g to 200g 44 cal pistol bullets with a full case of 444 behind it would make for some serious fun.
regards
S&F
21 February 2008, 21:57
Down southI ordered the 45-70 about 1/2 hour ago. It's in stock and I should have it around Tuesday.
Thanks for all of the knowledgeable replies.
21 February 2008, 22:24
ManCannonExcellent choice!!
"The atomic bomb made the prospect of future war unendurable. It has led us up those last few steps to the mountain pass; and beyond there is a different country." - J. Robert Oppenheimer
22 February 2008, 01:36
wrongtargetquote:
Originally posted by GeorgeS:
Under what definition would a .444 meet the 'primitive weapons' criteria?
George
Mississippi's Primitive weapons season allows H&R/NEFs chambered in .38 cal and above, that includes the 38-55, .44mag, .45-70 .444 Marlin, .500SW and .450 Marlin.
http://www.mdwfp.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1091322 February 2008, 01:46
GeorgeSquote:
Mississippi's Primitive weapons season allows H&R/NEFs chambered in .38 cal and above, that includes the 38-55, .44mag, .45-70 .444 Marlin, .500SW and .450 Marlin.
Now, I see why Arkansas laughs at Mississippi.
Can you use a modern scope, too?
George
22 February 2008, 02:01
boom stickHoly #$%@
so you can hunt with a NEF 375 ruger and be primative?!?!?!?!?!
22 February 2008, 02:15
wrongtargetOptics are legal..
quote:
PRIMITIVE WEAPONS
"Primitive firearms" for the purpose of hunting deer, are defined as single or double barreled muzzle-loading rifles of at least .38 caliber; single shot, breech loading, cartridge rifles (.38 caliber or larger) of a kind and type manufactured prior to 1900, and replicas, reproductions or reintroductions of those type rifles; and single or double-barreled muzzle-loading shotguns with single ball or slug. All muzzle-loading Primitive Firearms must use black powder or a black powder substitute with either percussion caps or #209 shotgun primers or flintlock ignition. Breech loading single shot rifles must have exposed hammers and use metallic cartridges. Cartridges may be loaded either with black powder or modern smokeless powder. Scopes of any magnification are allowed on primitive weapons. Sidearms are not allowed during primitive weapon season.
http://home.mdwfp.com/wildlife.aspx22 February 2008, 02:54
GeorgeSDay-um! That's almost my kind of 'primitive'. A rifle of 'old' design but manufactured with modern steels and technology, chambered in a modern cartridge, with a modern scope.
So a Winchester 1885 'High Wall' chambered in .45-90 with a Zeiss Z-point would be legal.
George
