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.

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

+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

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.

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!

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