Actually the .444 or the 45-70 will do what you need it to. I own both calibers in leverguns and don't really see a lot of difference. My personal choice is my 1895 Guide Gun in 45-70 only because there is a pretty good variations of bullets that can be reloaded of bought over the counter. I have taken grizzly, black bear and deer with the 45-70 using the ammo for that particular game. There isn't much difference in recoil between the two loads. When you get into the hot loads for the 45-70 like Garretts 540gr Hammerheads +P, then you feel the recoil.