45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

I have always wanted a big bore lever action and have decided to get either a 45-70, 444, or 450 Marlinand want to know the pros and cons of each from those that have them. I would be using it for close range (100 yds) deer, bear, hogs, or possibly elk in timber. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

The .450 is simply a suped up version of the 45-70 with a belt to prevent firing in older trapdoor springfields. It's for people who don't reload the 45-70 to hotter pressures. I would choose the 45-70 between the three as it's going to be around forever,has a multitude of factory loadings,and it'll get the job done.

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

Ditto! I have a Marlin 45/70 and use a slightly compress load(well withinsafe pressures) and a 405 gr Remington FN and have great success with. Accuracy is excellent with loads of power. Diffenently a gun youneed to hang on too before pulling the trigger though. It is in comparison to my Ruger #1 in 375 H&H as far as felt recoil.
But the factory loads are fine for what you will be hunting. My Marlin likes the 405 gr, but I have other friends that use the 300 and 350gr as well. I vote for the 45/70.
Mike

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

I have the .450 and you are right about the recoil. We also have .375 in Ruger #1 and it is about the same though the recoil seeems to be different the .450 seems to be more of a shove where the .375 is more of a sharp psuh. If you handload I would get the .45/70 if not I would get the .450. I got mine because I didn't want to handload and I also wanted something different. Any of them would make a excellent elk rifle for heavy timber.

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

My father in law has the 444 and that recoil is not a problem for me. I really don't want to handload but I have done it in the past. Are most of the bullets for these calibers cast or is there a decent selection of jacketed hollow points and flat noses?

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

You can get a good flat nosed or the new Hornady Leverlution (sp) bullets for any of the calibers. In the .45/70 you have several choices though Hornady is the only one that makes bullets for the .450 that I'm aware of. Though both the flat nosed and the new ones shoot great in mine so I never bothered to look for anything different.

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

+1 for the 45/70. It's a classic, and if you hand load, you can load it to hunt anything from squirrel to buffalo. I have a Marlin 1895, I love it

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

I have the 1895m guide gun in .450 marlin. Its awesome. Shoots great and is nice and short. Also my model is ported. Definitely a plus with the felt recoil.

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

If you want somewhat less recoil, the .444 Marlin is a dandy. I shoot the LeverEvolution ammo and recoil is a non-issue. Gotta love those short, handy Marlin lever guns!

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

The 444 is better balistiacally than the 45/70..

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

Thats kinda like asking if Ford is better than Chevy. I have both and the one big advantage the 45-70 has over the 450is a better grain selection and 45-70 is a little cheeper. I don't see a lot of difference in recoil between the 2. The 45-70 will handle any big game animal in the world as will the 450. My favorite between the two would be the 45-70 only because of the greater grain variety. I think if you ask anyone who owns the 45-70 and 450 Marlin, which one they like best, it would probably be the 45-70.

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

I like the .450 Marlin. Good luck.

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

I have one of each. I'll agree with the others that wrote if you don't handload get the 450 Marlin. If you do reload, the 45-70 can be loaded quite hot if needed.

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

I went through this about 3 years ago.I looked at all 3 with great intent that one of them was mine.I researched the ballistics,ammo,rifles chambered in these rounds.I found out alot about the 45/70 that I didnt know,it has a great history.I choose it over the other 2.There are factory rounds from cowboy loads to rhino killers.And I hand load so I can taylor my rounds to fit my rifles.You will be amazed if you get a marlin or ruger #1 and fire some Buffalo Bore or garrett rounds from them(hold on to it) then fire some 405 grain remingtons (good pactice rounds).I like all 3 but that 45/70 is great and the wound channel is unbelievable!!!

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

The 45-70 is accurate with almost any load that you care to shoot in it! I load 330 grain cast boolits over 14 grains of Unique for my little kids ( 8-13 y.o.) and they pick off golf balls at 100 yards! You can load it with blackpowder for light recoilling hunting loads or shoot factory stuff. Theres no limit to the versatility of the 45-70!

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

How far is the 45-70 good to with the new leverevolution bullets?

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

You can easily shoot out to 200 yards.

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

The balistics of the three are not enough different to make any difference. The 458 caliber has heavier bullets available. My pick of the lot is the 45-70 as I have four of them setting around here. I wouldn't turn down a 444 Marlin either but I have a 44 caliber rifle too.

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

They all are just about equal in power if you reload. The 45-70 in factory ammo is a dog but it can be made to preform when handloaded
The .444 factory is quite good , but can also be improved with handloading. The 450 is factory loaded to a high level. So ballistically there are almost identical. The 45-70 has an edge in my book as it has a better selection of component bullets.
I have a .444 which I do handload and it works great just a poor bullet selection out there.When I bought it they didn't offer the 45-70 If I were to get a new gun it would be the 45-70. Both 45-70 and .444 have been around for a long time brass is easy to find. The 450 is relativly new and I don't know if it will be around in a few years, that could make finding brass quite a problem IMHO.

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

can a 45-70 single shot be cleanly rechambered to 450 marlin?

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

Looks like the 45-70 is the more popular choice. Is there a big difference between the 22" and the 18" barrel as far as accuracy? I know it will affect bullet velocity and downrange energy, but by how much?

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: ncpreacherboy1

can a 45-70 single shot be cleanly rechambered to 450 marlin?

I would say yes, but who would want too?

RE: 45-70 vs 444 vs 450 Marlin Which one
 

better ballistics for factory 450 marlin.