444 marilin vs 45/70
12-10-2009, 02:54 PM
#12
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
the right bullet in the right spot from either of these weapons will bring down a big tusker .but they both are under powered for capes and elephants,and most guides will talk you out of it before you get there. you can muster up 3200 lbs out of the 45/70 and around 3100 out of the 444.which is serious power though.
chris
12-10-2009, 04:09 PM
#13
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Spokane Washington
Posts: 1,042
I would probably go with the 45/70 just because it is easier to get ammo and there is more choices in loads available. Now I know that a guy would probably want to handload these anyways, but there is always the need for some store bought ammo just to compare to, or for the brass.
12-10-2009, 04:38 PM
#14
Typical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 666
I'd have to go with the 45/70. For one reason, versatility. The 45/70 has a much broader range of bullets to choose from. And since you added to the challenge the whole world, the availibility of heavy 500 grain soft point and dangerous game solid bullets make the 45/70 a much better choice for the big stuff. Ammo would be easier to find world wide, hand loads can range from black powder equivelent to some pretty hot hand loads in a strong gun, from what I've seen it can be loaded up hotter than the 450 Marlin factory stuff.
12-11-2009, 02:15 AM
#16
Typical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location:
Posts: 647
I would say 45/70 with a scout type scope on it. By scout type I mean on that is further down the barrel. Reason being that I just like a scoped rifle. Marlin just came out with one that I'm thinking about buying. Here's the link
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...re/1895SBL.asp
http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...re/1895SBL.asp
12-11-2009, 03:42 AM
#17
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: central NY
Posts: 103
the marlin guide gun model 1895,(which i own but in 450 marlin)was made for close work on big bears,it is a awesome rifle for when bear hunting goes sour,its fairly light,short and quick,the sights work well and its accurate .but with todays ammo making it a 150+yd gun a scope can definitely make it a good deer/bear rifle.mine is scoped with a low power 1.5x4 long eye relief scope no need for big power scopes you wont be shooting that far,also the more power the slower the gun becomes and lower power scopes usually have longer eye relief ,the scout style scopes are VERY fast which is good on heavier recoiling rifles when a second shot is needed.
12-11-2009, 05:56 AM
#18
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: central NY
Posts: 103
thats whats great about this place,everyone has there own opinion the 95s do not come ported anymore....silly rabbit ports (brakes ) are for kids.LOL also you could put a balloon over the barrel or small condom
i have seen pics of some in here with colored balloons over there barrels? always wondered what it was for,maybe goose hunting from below the water?????
i have seen pics of some in here with colored balloons over there barrels? always wondered what it was for,maybe goose hunting from below the water?????
12-11-2009, 07:45 AM
#19
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Adirondacks
Posts: 1,305
The 45-70 will take cape buffalo.In the Nosler reloading manual they include a short write up for each cartridge.The guy that wrote of the 45-70 said at first his guide was leery of his gun choice.He shot a big bull broadside and the bullet passed through him and killed a cow they didn't see that was standing alongside of the bull.They found the slug just under her skin on the far side.That's one potent cartridge!!!
12-11-2009, 08:13 AM
#20
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: central NY
Posts: 103
its not uncommon to shoot through a buff ,and you can take one with a 06 if you hit him right.but it is not a recommended caliber for the biggest of African game .it can be done ,a fire can be put out with a towel but probably not your best choice . http://www.garrettcartridges.com/lupoindex.asp