45/70 or 450

[stevev]

I am going to buy a new lever gun for deer hunting this winter. A long shot would be 100 yards where I hunt. Plan on putting a low power scope on top. Just looking for knockdown power. I like big slow moving heavy bullets. Just looking for opinions on 45/70 vs 450 . Thanks

[Keith L]

 I don't recall if it was here or on Marlin lever guns but there is a thread as long as your arm on this subject.  Try the search feature and see if you can find it.

Oh, and welcome to GBO!

[BBF]

How badly do you want to get bruised?

Answer:  Real bad get the 450
             from mild to wild get the 45-70

[Castaway]

If you reload, it's a wash.  Otherwise you'll be limited to original specs on the 45-70.  The two cartridges are virtual clones if loaded to the capability of the Marlin

[Lloyd Smale]

For a handloader its a toss up. Only advantage a 4570 has is brass will be availble forever and you never know if the 450 will be discontinued. Advantage to a 450 is there much easier to stuff rounds through the loading gate. If you buy factory ammo advantage to the 4570 is again it will be around when your grandkids are your age. Advantage to the 450 is theres much more powerful factory ammo available over the counter. there is equaly powerful 4570 ammo available but its semi custom ammo and expensive. To me there both good rounds and worth having. If i had to choose one it would be the 4570 hands down.

[DC]

While I reload, I am not heavy duty into it.  There are some good deals on 450's on GB but I went for the 45-70.  I want to be able to find ammo everywhere and you can with the 45-70.  If you are hunting in northern Idaho or anywhere else, for that matter you can find ammo in all the little out of the way stores.  Good luck finding 450 rounds. 
You can load down 450's but for me, availability is the big issue.  Nostalga is also a big thing for me which is why I use a Marlin Cowboy 26" octagon.

[bearmgc]

Marlin 444 and Hornady ammo, perfect.

[stevev]

I am going to get the 45/70. Easier to find ammo. thanks

[Rangr44]

I would respectfully advise that you do yourself and your shoulder a big favor, and use nothing heavier than 300gr JSP's (available from virtually every major maker) for deer in your .45-70 rifle.

The whitetails will still be DRT, if you do your part.

.

[WyoStillhunter]

Having passed on the 444 Marlin idea, you made a good choice with the 45-70.  You can reload all sorts of ammo or buy mild to wild commercially.  The 450 has fewer commercial load choices.

They both kick quite nicely but I see more "like new" 450s on the used and pawn shop racks.  I have to assume that the original owner wasn't a handloader and did not appreciate the recoil of factory 450 ammo.

The only "problem" with loading light practice ammo and heavy hunting ammo is that the Point of Impact shifts dramatically.  With a scope on board you can resight easily enough between practice season and hunting season.  I have two loads for my .444, a light(er) load for 240 gr. and full-house load for 265 gr.  That works for me and the 240 gr. pistol bullets are relatively cheap.

I don't use cast bullets but doing so opens up another whole world for the owner of all three of the Marlin big bores.  Good luck with your new rifle.

[saltydog]

I have shot both and find they are no worse than a 12 ga. with 00 buck. IMO the 45-70 needs to be loaded up from most manuals suggested loads as they give you loads for older rifles.

[dpe.ahoy]

Since you said big, slow, heavy bullets, go for the 45-70.  The 405g Rems work well for deer also.  DP

[Syncerus]

Since both are chambered for very different rifles, I'd let the rifle that you like best decide the caliber ...

Browning or Marlin?

Lol.

[swordfish]

I am going to get the 45/70. Easier to find ammo. thanks

You wont be disappointed. I have (2) versions of the 1895 45-70 (G & CB) Love them both, but the CB a bit more. Nostalgia pushes me towards the CB, I think. I expected a heavy kick from them because so many people said they kicked like mules. I never remember the kick when hunting, and hardly notice it at the range. (405 gr) I just don't understand what the hype is about. I use the iron sites on the CB and have a Red Dot scope for the G. I'm still not sold on the Red Dot scope.

[Lloyd Smale]

you made a good choise and gun nut worth his salt has to have at least one 4570 in the safe.

I am going to get the 45/70. Easier to find ammo. thanks

[Redhawk1]

Great choice on the 45-70. I love mine.

[Troyboy]

All heil the 45/70 it will get it done

[BAP]

congrats on your choice, you in my opinion chose  the right one..and as far as recoil i have never had a problem with it even with 500gr buffalo bore ammo..
when i first shot a 45-70 i used 350 remingtons and didnt even notice it at the range even after 3 boxes.. and im a little guy in stature...so i just dont understand all the hype about the kick myself...my turkey gun kicks much harder than a 45-70..