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Author Topic: 444 or 45-70  (Read 757 times)

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Offline del1964

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444 or 45-70
« on: December 13, 2010, 05:44:04 AM »
My 15 year old son is about to get a handi and was wondering if the 444 0r the 45-70 would be better.  he is a big kid 6'3" 240 so recoil dont bother him.  Which one is best out to 150 yards?  I have heard some folkssay the leverevolution ammo will not group well.  What ammo are yall shooting?  thanks  del
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Offline petemi

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Re: 444 or 45-70
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2010, 05:56:40 AM »
I shot the .45-70 LEs for at least 4 years, and they shoot and group well.  I dumped a nice buck at 220 yards awhile back with the 325 gr.  Personally, I'd opt for the .45-70.  Ammo, components, etc. is much more available, and I don't believe the .444 can do any better.  In all fairness, I've gotta say the .444 is on my "next to build" list along with the .500.

It sounds like you don't handload, so I'd say go with the LE's, Buffalo Bore or something fairly hot to compensate for the drop.....and....shoot it and shoot it and shoot it so you know where it is hitting.  With either one, you're dealing with a big rainbow.  You're not going to poke a rifle up at 250 yards, lay the crosshairs on the shoulder and knock the deer down.  You're gonna kick snow or dirt up under his belly.  The two calibers will knock them dead at 300 yards, but you have to do your homework and learn them.

Pete
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Keep both eyes open and make the first shot good.
The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 444 or 45-70
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2010, 05:58:06 AM »
Either will do, my 444 and 45-70s shoot the LE ammo just fine, 1½-1¾" out of the box. There's a new factory offering coming from Winchester for the 45-70 FWIW.

Tim

http://www.winchester.com/Products/New-Products/Pages/New-Product-Dual-Bond.aspx
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Offline del1964

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Re: 444 or 45-70
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2010, 06:52:09 AM »
Thanks for the help guys!  As far shooting over 200 yards, well, we got that covered. 7mm mag will do that
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Offline Shu

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Re: 444 or 45-70
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2010, 06:56:53 AM »
Either. They are very close to the same thing. Unless you are a reloader it won't make a difference.
My daughter is 5' 2" 90 lbs she shoots my 45-70. I just don't push max loads.
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Offline Mad Dog

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Re: 444 or 45-70
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2010, 07:00:09 AM »
I gotta go with the .45-70, whether you reload or not, there is a bigger variety of factory ammo and reloading components for the 45-70.  BTW, the Hornady LE ammo shoots great out of the majority of 45-70s on the market.


Mad Dog
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Offline petemi

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Re: 444 or 45-70
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2010, 07:02:59 AM »
You're a good daddy.  Keep it low and let her tell you when she's ready for more.

Pete
Quote from: Shu on December 13, 2010, 06:56:53 AM
Either. They are very close to the same thing. Unless you are a reloader it won't make a difference.
My daughter is 5' 2" 90 lbs she shoots my 45-70. I just don't push max loads.
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Keep both eyes open and make the first shot good.
The growing Handi/Sportster/Pardner/Topper Family:  .22 WMR, .22-250. 223, Two Superlight 7mm-08s and one .243, .30-30,  .308, 32-20, 18 inch .356/.358 Win., Two 16.5 inch .357 Max., 18 inch 38-55 BC Carbine, 16.5 inch .445 Super Mag., .45LC, 16.5 and 22 inch .45-70s, .50 Huntsman SS, .410, 20 ga., 12 ga., 20 ga. Pardner Pump, Versa-Pack .410 - .22
[size=7.4 pt]PLEASE DONATE TO THE GBO SERVER FUND  We're closer to the goal but not there yet, we can still use more donations, thanks

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,191112.msg1098959491.html#msg1098959491

Offline Shu

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Re: 444 or 45-70
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2010, 07:19:26 AM »


Thank you sir.

She is my favorite shooting partner. Want to keep her shooting.
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: 444 or 45-70
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2010, 07:32:35 AM »
Shu,

DANG CRS!, can't keep straight what thread I am posting in!  If my posts get too OT or not understandable please ask gcrank1 to translate.

BB

The 444 & 45-70 in 22" will weigh about the same and you said your daughter thought the 45-70 was heavy.  I would look for a talo trapper in 45-70 and save a little barrel weight, unless of course you be Handi with a hacksaw and want to do a 45-70 or 444 shorty.   Since you already have a 45-70 you might opt for the 444M to expand your growing Handi collection.

Congrats on your daughter shooting a big bore, my 13 year old daughter is also 5'2" and about 90 pounds and I have not got her past the 17HMR  yet.   
BB
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Offline del1964

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Re: 444 or 45-70
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2010, 07:35:45 AM »
I can't my 14 year old twin daughters to put the shotguns down long enough to shoot a rifle.  They want buck knives for Christmas.  love them girls!
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: 444 or 45-70
« Reply #10 on: December 13, 2010, 09:00:57 AM »
Ha!
I vote 45-70. Lots more options in loads; the light ones will be like the .444, the big ones, well, ask a buff.
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: 444 or 45-70
« Reply #11 on: December 13, 2010, 12:39:13 PM »
My heart lies with the 45-70, but if you press me, I would have to say there ain't much difference between the two. EITHER will do the same job equally well. With both modern loaded, they are peas in a pod.

One important point, the 45-70 may be easier to find ammo for...

CW
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