I bought 1895CB, Thanks for all the info.
Joe


Hello,

I am new to this forum as far as posting, been lurking for a while. My question(s) are as follows:

What would be the advantages/disadvantages of the 444 vs 45/70? I already have all reloading equipment and brass for 45/70, although that is not a factor.

I have owned a couple 45/70's but never a 444.

I have already decided on a GG or Outfitter depending on which caliber I decide to go with.

I will be using it to hunt feral hogs in Fl and I am tired of using My M70 30-06 ( just an excuse for a new rifle).

Any opinions/comments would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Joe

The only flaw with the .444 is that no one bothered to load it with a rifle bullet when it was introduced limiting its true capabilities. Generally the majority of factory ammo loads available for the .444 are loaded with bullets designed for the .44 Magnum at handgun velocities. Out of a .444 rifle on things tougher than a smallish whitetail, they tend come apart on impact and not penetrate very well.
The exception of course are the loads manufactured by Buffalo Bore and Corbon. Both use heavier weight bullets designed to hold up under rifle velocities and penetrate better on large game animals.
My personal preference is the .45-70. There's so much more ammo and components available for it. However, I think you would be just as happy with a .444 if you are careful in your ammo selection, and reload for it using heavier, stronger constructed jacketed or hard cast bullets that can withstand rifle velocities.

Oh boy... here we go again. This gets asked a couple of times a month or so it seems. Really with your reloading abilities and purpose in mind it is simply a toss up.

Joe,

Welcome - see Marshall's Tech Notes on the .444 Marlin.

Thanks for the info Mike,
I read Marshall's material on the 444 and was pleasantly suprised as to the versatility of this cartridge.

Ranch Dog, I would not have asked the question if I had seen the info posted earlier. I have ran some really jacked up 45/70 loads from my No.1 Ruger, of course they were handloads.

Thanks for the replies gentlemen, now its time to figure out which one to buy. It is really apples and oranges.

Thanks again, Joe

Joe... no problem with the question. It just usually opens a debate that can't be settled ;)

Since, I've not reloaded for either caliber, I can't compare for versitility, but I can comment on shooting the two.

Owning several 45-70's and a newly purchased Marlin 444SS, I've found the 444 more enoyable to shoot. Accuracy seems a little more controlable and the recoil is less noticed.

In my 45-70's I shoot 300 to 405 grain bullets, the 444 the 240 or 265 grainers. Both calibers are shot with opensights and I personally feel more confident with the 444 at distances up to 150 yards.

See my thread under "LEVERGUNS" Marlin 444SS

For a more indepth debate on the 444 vs. 45-70 see Marlinowners forum "444". It's HOT & HEAVY!

Hello, Joe,

I own several of the ones mentioned. If you have a Ruger#1, that Marlin 45-70 will recoil a bit less because of the extra weight. It obviously is not going to handle all the loads the Ruger can. The 444 is a neat little gun, though, and I have to admit I overlooked it. Shooting the jacketed bullets in it even at max loadings seems pedestrian to high loaded 45-70. The cast bullets really open up the possibilities with this round. I think there is certainly crossover between the two, but if you already have a couple or more of the 45-70's, it is time for a treat! The 444 does recoil a bit less, and trying out some of the cast bullet options opens up new potential for this round. I got a new 444 the other day and am tickled pink! It is the most beautiful stock on any Marlin I have ever seen. It is extremely dark with beautiful figure that would make my Ruger #1's envious. I have a 444 outfitter available locally, although the proprietor thinks it is worth too much...

Joe... no problem with the question. It just usually opens a debate that can't be settled ;)

RD, it's easily settled, the 45/70 reigns king!!!:p:D:p:Dj/k








here we go again....:rolleyes:

Finding an outfitter[444], might be a problem. After Marlin quit making them, they don't show up in the shops, in my neck of the woods too often. I have the .45-70 GG, and love it, but if an outfitter ever shows up, I may have to have both![God only knows why].

Mad Dog

You could always get one of each. I'm sure I'm not the only one who did.

Hate to bring up a writer but I really enjoyed Layne Simpsons article on the .444 where he hunted Caribou in Alaska with a scoped(4X) .444 that ended bagging one @ 284yrds and yes it was a handload. Shot placement, Shot Placement.

Built a Marlin 444 on a Siamese 98 Action back in the late 60's, and found out how wide a range it can cover. Everything from black powder, round ball, shot, and 400 grain hard cast. With the 98 action, it can be loaded to it's true potential.

Lee L.

Joe -

Both are great cartridges and both are considerably more than adequate for anything in FL.

My own Marlin is a .45-70, but that was an accident more or less outside my control - when I found the rifle for $249.95 it could have been a .444, .45-70 or 450 and I still would have bought it and been happy with it.

A couple years ago I did a search to compare .444, .45-70 and 450 ammo. At the time there was ONE load available for the 450, quite a few for the 444 and even more for the .45-70.

The .45-70 will fling bullets from the Barnes 250g XFB to 540g and larger hardcast. My hunting load is a 350g North Fork bonded bullet at 2183fps and I've taken two animals with it - a forkhorn mulie at 192 yards and a 6x6 bull elk at 213 yards. Both were impressive kills from a bullet performance standpoint. For backyard rhino problems I keep some 460g hardcast on hand, loaded up to 1812fps. These loads have penetrated 9 family size MinuteMaid OJ jugs full of water. For plinkers I load 300g hardcast over 13.5g HS-6 for .22LR velocities and very mild recoil. These loads are near one-hole loads at 50 yards and the daughters love them. (So do I.)

Knowing what I know now, if I was going to get a Marlin for the first time and had to choose among the three, I'd get the .45-70 again. But not by much.

Joe... no problem with the question. It just usually opens a debate that can't be settled ;)

Joe ! there is no issue for debate here & I think it's a very sensible question. Of which there is only one answer ......
Now repeat after me ....45-70 GOOD!!
.444 BAD! VERY BAD!!
There you see that was easy was'nt it ? Now I must warn you that there are very bad men out there ! They will try & lead you from the path of rightceness! But ! Be strong Lad you can do it! 45-70 GOOD .444 BAD!!!!!! :D :D :D

The 444M is a fine cartridge , it is often compared to the 45/70 ,which is a unfair comparison, the 444M is a .429 vs a .458 ,Why not compare the 375 Win. with the 444M ?
The 444M is a heck of a thumper with the 325gr. Hard cast and a ,great Black Bear / deer cartridge withe the 265 Hornaday bullet or a High Quality 300gr.(@ 2200fps !) bullet such as a Serria or Speer,and with the 250gr. Nosler its flatter shooting and can punch holes thru anything on this Island !

The 444M is a Balistic equal or betters, the great "Lion cartridge " the 405 Win.
Theres no dust on the Triple 4, (and I'm a 45/70 fan)
I have both 45/70 & 444M and a 375winny. If I had to choose only one to have and use I'd have to go with the 444M.
I can see nothing that a 444M loaded with a 320gr. Hardcast that a 45/70 could to better.(For my hunting purposes)
Now if I was going after Cape I'd get the 45/70, even over my 375 H@H

Having recently shot both and already having 45-70 #1, I am leaning towards 444. Not in concrete yet will wait until gunshow next week and see what turns up.
Thanks for all the help,
Joe

I personally like a 94BB when looking at a 444M. Slim,strong and light weight.
I like and have a Marlin Gude Gun in 45/70,got it when it first came out ,great gun.

I personally like a 94BB when looking at a 444M. Slim,strong and light weight.
I like and have a Marlin Gude Gun in 45/70,got it when it first came out ,great gun.

They are a light weight rifle I think 6 1/4 to 6 1/2 lbs, and with unique powder and some good bullets you can match 44Mag velocities, that way it will not beat you up, the rifle will last longer, and it will take deer just as good as a 444 with the same bullets.

Buckeye,
Send Bartmasterson an e-mail as he shoots the WWBB in 444 and loves them. Address is:
bartmasterson@qwest.net
hes a great person to get to know.........................Marko

Well I went and bought 1895CB yesterday, so I guess I made my choice 45/70. I am still looking for 444.
Thanks for all the responses,
Joe

Well I went and bought 1895CB yesterday, so I guess I made my choice 45/70. I am still looking for 444.
Thanks for all the responses,
Joe

Great choice ,ethier would be a great choice !
Now for the 444....