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Author Topic: 45/70 or 444  (Read 674 times)

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Offline greg916

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45/70 or 444
« on: March 13, 2007, 01:56:58 PM »
Which do you prefer and why?
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Offline BANG_OW

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2007, 02:08:32 PM »
You really need one of each. Why? Because you can.
Seriously, both are great, but I went with the .45-70 due to more range of loading options. (I'm sure that will start the comments)
Enjoy
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #2 on: March 13, 2007, 02:13:57 PM »
I have to say both,  I have 3 .45-70s, don't have a .444 yet, but I got one ordered.  If I could only have one, it would be the .45-70, better selection of bullets, the .444 has a very limited choice of bullets made for a rifle, if you want to shoot pistol bullets or cast, then there's a better selection, but not even close to what's available for the .45-70. If you only shoot factory, there's no question the .45-70 would be the better choice.

I'm gonna try some of the Beartooth 355gr bullets in mine, just to be different.

Tim

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Offline billy_56081

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #3 on: March 13, 2007, 02:31:06 PM »
  I went with the 45-70 for the number of handloading options that u can have. And the 45-70 has more history to it. But the choice is yours.
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Offline McLernon

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2007, 02:34:05 PM »
The 45-70 for all the above reasons ;)

Mc ;)
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Offline Ditchdigger

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2007, 03:02:20 PM »
It would depend on what I was hunting. The 444 with the 240 gr. bullet is larger enough for anything I hunt The ammo and brass is about the same price wise. The 444 may cover a little larger range with the extra speed of the 240 (2350 fps) But the 45 70 may be easier to find ammo for.    Digger
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Offline greg916

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #6 on: March 13, 2007, 03:06:45 PM »
Thanx! Some quick replies!  I do, or will handload. I lean heavy to the .45/70. Lost most of my stuff in a house fire and starting over.  I had a .30-30, .22 hornet, and .45/70.  Grew very fond of the speer 400gr at about 1700fps.  A good friend shoots a Marlin .444 with 240gr and 300gr bullets.  He is able to get about 2.5 inches at 100 yds.  I could never get better than 3 to 3.5.  Just replaced my .30-30 handi last month, its leaving this week to be fitted for the other two barrels. 
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2007, 03:29:09 PM »
H&R/NEF .45-70s are usually very accurate, 1½" 100yrd groups with iron/peep sight is very common, under and inch for scoped guns. I shot this group last fall working up loads in my BC, 350gr Hornady at almost 2100fps.

Tim

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Offline ONE HOLE 4570

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #8 on: March 14, 2007, 03:41:33 AM »
Both I have both in a handi 444 is 1:38 the 4570 outshoots it most times. I use the 265 hornadys in it.

Tim I have not shot any of those but have shot 330gr GC's with rl7 for 2100fps out of my 444p 18inc barrel. They would encrouch on my powder in my lever gun & the 444handi won't shoot them I think. The 330's do not do as well as the 265 hornadys
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Offline FLNT4EVR

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #9 on: March 14, 2007, 03:54:11 AM »
Iwould go with the 45-70 , The selection of bullets ,both jacketted and cast is outstanding. You can load it for everything from rabbits to cape buffalo.
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #10 on: March 14, 2007, 04:59:56 AM »
The 355gr BTB is a bore rider bullet, has a long nose that allows the bullet to take up less room in the case, plus the 1:20" twist rate of the new .444 should work great with it. ;) BTB also has a 405gr .444 bullet!

Tim
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #11 on: March 14, 2007, 05:15:21 AM »
I have a couple of 45-70's for all the reasons mentioned and would go with it. Availibility of commercial ammo, many,many handloading components available, very accurate with many loads, EXRTEMELY accurate with some, as powerful as you need, and nostalgia if that counts for anything. The 45-70 can do everything the .444 can, and I just prefer it....<><.... :)
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Offline Q

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #12 on: March 17, 2007, 06:04:06 PM »
I went with the 45-70 after many other rifle cal. such as 17HMR, 22lr,223, 204,25-06 and in pistol form I tried 22lr thru 357mag. Once I saw the 325grn Hornady 45-70 rnd I was hooked and will never look back now that I've shot it.  :o I'm still working on the best set up for me and will have pictures soon.
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Offline Mac11700

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #13 on: March 18, 2007, 08:31:10 AM »


Defiantly...both...They are both awesome cartridges with the right loads...Nothing wrong with either...and both are fun to shoot...

Mac
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Offline Paul5388

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Re: 45/70 or 444
« Reply #14 on: March 18, 2007, 09:53:04 AM »
I have a .45-70 and never even considered the .444 Marlin.  With the .444 having such a poor bullet selection, I went with a .38-55 instead.  Ease of forming .38-55 brass from .30-30 brass was a primary consideration too.  :)

BTW Tim, nice group!  ;D
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