The 444's most popular bullet is the 240 grain soft point. The 45-70 "normal" rounds are the 300 JHP and the 405 grain soft point. The 45-70 is pushing a lot more lead, but here are the #'s comparing the 240 grain 444 and the 300 grain 45-70.

444 - 240 grain - 2350fps muzzle, 2950 ft/lbs. Bulled sighted in at 100 drops 10" at 200.

45-70 300 grain JHP - 1810fps muzzle, 2180 ft/lbs . Bullet zeroed at 50 hits 17" low at 200. (2" low at 100)

Personally, I'd opt for the 450 Marlin. It pushes a 350 grain bullet 2,100 fps, with 3,425 ft/lbs of muzzle energy. The drop is similar to that of the 444. They make it in a guide gun, and I shot one this past fall. It packs a whallop, but is tollerable.

GOOD LUCK!