marlin lever action
 

buying a marlin, anyone have prefrence for .444 or .45/70 or .450??

RE: marlin lever action
 

I am a reloader so I prefer the 45-70. I have the Marlin Cowboy in that caliber. If I didn't reload i would pick the 450 or the 444. The 444 is a Great short range NA big game cartridge. Maybe not a grizzly gun but anything else would be fair game.

RE: marlin lever action
 

The 444 is much better ballistically at least in factory ammo..

RE: marlin lever action
 

They all suckwith regular factory ammo IMO. Hornady is decent but still not up to full potential.

Personally I prefer the 444 over the other two and there isn't an animal on this continent I would feel undergunned with a full 444 load. Of course this would also apply to the other two as well but I just prefer the 444.

RE: marlin lever action
 

My son in Alaska tells me that The Marlin "Guide Gun" in 45-70 is what everyone up there wants to carry on their back while fishing or hiking in the big bear country. I've only shot his a couple of times and he loads it up pretty hot. Packs quite a whallop, but its not something I'd want to shoot everyday. Guess if I had the adrenalin flowing and a big bear growling, it might not hurt so much. Heck, I might not even notice the thump on my shoulder till the next day!

Regards, & Good Huntin',
LlindeX