Soilarch

hands, I have a S&W (57...*I think) in 41 magnum. Like you, I like to be a little different. And whether it's the pistol (I KNOW part of it is, it has the nicest trigger in my gun collection...I'm pretty sure it's been in a gunsmith's hands before.) or the cartridge I'd rather shoot it than my SRH 44 anyday. Tough break how it never got the following it deserved in the law enforcement and defense world. I thought about the 444 for a little while, but if I'm going to go with a more expensive round, I'd like to stick to the classic 45-70

Highpower

Although you didn't mention it (others have), I'd cast my vote for the 444 as well. Awesome round. Big debate between the triple 4 shooters and the 45-70 shooters as to which is better. If you're a loader, the 444 won't cost you much more than than the 44 to shoot and you gain a bunch IMHO.

Sniper151

My first and still one of my favorites is my Marlin in 35 Rem. Light weight, accurate and plenty of energy to get the job done without the big recoil.

Duckbutter48

I think in your situation the 44 is best choice. For what you are using it for I think the cheaper more available ammo and plenty of killing power if you do get to use it for a hunt.

lovethebigguns

I understand your scenario!
I have a 30-30, 44 mag and a 444 lever gunthat were allbought for whitetail in Eastern Kentucky.

I've hunted there with the 444 and the 30-30 and have had GREAT success with them. I just recently bought the 44 mag and I have to agree with everyone else, what a great, fun, and extremely accurate lever-gun. I must admit, I like it a heck of a lot more than I thought I would, and I'm really looking forward tohunting deer withit. If I had to give em all up (God forbid) and just choose 1 for whitetail or all-around, I'd choose my first love, the 444 Marlin. To me, it has it all, knockdown,(3009 lbs of energy out ofcertain factory loads)accuracy(I have no problemtaking a whitetail at 150 yards with it)and speed(2250 fpswith a 280 gr bullet and 2350 with a 240) You never know you might head North and take a Black Bear with it someday, or head to Tennessee and take a hog, if you've chosen 444 you'll be more than ready for any of that!
BUT I guess that wasn't one of my choices, If I had to choose between the 3 choices you gave me I'd choose the 45-70.
Happy hunting!!

Soilarch

Dang you....Dang you ALL!!!!! haha, Highpower I hadn't realized the .444 could be handloaded for close to .44 costs. I'll check farther into that and if I can find that to be true with my small-volume orders I just may go that route, because it does fit nicely in between.



Quick question: You can NOT shoot .44mag or specials in a .444 even though they are the same bullets with and the cases only differ by length, correct?

bugsNbows

Another vote for the triple 4. I put a Leupold FX 4 on it and it makes a great combo. Here piggy piggy. Come to daddy!

brushbustin

I would go with the .44 because of lo recoil.I have a marlin model 1894 and i love it.It is a real tack driver.

JeffS

I have a .22, 30-30, .35 rem, and a .450 Marlin all in Marlin lever actions. They are all fun to shoot though you don't want to shoot the .450 too many times in a row. We play with mine and shoot a lot of different things with it and it is amazing what it will do. It works great on hogs as well which is what I bought it for. For what you are wanting the .44 might be best.

SHoNUFFtx22

have a marlin 30-30 that i have had for like 20years and i tak ethe gun on every hunt i go on. It might sit in the stand next to me or even in the cabin but its on every hunt. i love my 30-30 and it has killed more than all my other rifle combined.

Ps: with the hornady Ammo for the 30-30 they claim no bullet drop to 200yards and only 16inchs at 300yards with 1699velocity/1025ft.lbs. @ 300yards