Author Topic: I can't stand it any longer ! Look what y'all have made me do... UPDATE (Read 1636 times)

peak98 · « **on:** November 26, 2012, 04:25:25 PM »

After reading all the praise and seeing the trophy picks it started agitating me a little. Then I see KIMBER45's post and GeorgiaDave's post from their recent successful hunts with their 45-70s. The mystique has gotten to me, I must have one of these rimmed cartridges! I posted an add in the WTB Handirifle forum in hopes of finding a used 444 or 45-70 barrel. Why would you choose the one over the other ? And, if you know someone who has one for sell.......hook a coonass up!!!!

Your opinions and comments are welcome!

tacklebury · « **Reply #1 on:** November 26, 2012, 04:45:46 PM »

There's a little more support it seems for the .45-70 from a factory ammo standpoint. Reloading both is equally easy from most people's comments. I personally load .45-70 but not the other, so cannot really compare the pure straight wall to the tapered. The .45-70 has more bullets available from 300 gr. HP's to 500+ gr. leads or solids and everything in between. I think a lot of the .44 caliber bullets are geared more towards pistols and if you shoot a .44 magnum handgun, I'd think the .444 would then make a lot of sense. Overall, I think they both work as intended out to 150 yards. I load round balls and leads as light loads typically, and take the velocity up a notch with the jacketed bullets. My favorite bullet is the 350 gr. Hornady Flat Point and it'll work on anything in North America. I like Reloader 7 and have done trap door level loads for my wife to shoot at 34 gr. levels and up to Ruger number one level loads at 52 gr. levels. It also works well with BP minus extra clean-up and H4198 has been listed as another favorite.

Here's a pic of mine:

twoshooter · « **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2012, 05:17:23 PM »

No argument with that. I love mine.
Now, the 444 is very accurate, eats a little less powder and lead, and has less recoil. There may be less variety of weights and profiles of 44 bullets, but they are cheaper and a lot more available. They go from 200 gr up to over 300gr. I use 240 gr jacketed SP for deer in a lever, but cast 300 gr in my Handi usually. I would not want to be without it.
Buy whichever you find first , because you WILL get the others.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2012, 06:54:18 PM »

Peak, I've been thinking a little along those lines myself, only my thoughts are I have a .44 mag do I need a .444. The main advantage as I see it is the twist of the .444.

petemi · « **Reply #4 on:** November 26, 2012, 11:40:50 PM »

My first Handi was a .45-70. I still have it. I've since had my .44 Mag reamed to .445. I bought, used a while, and later sold a .500 and I never bought a .444 simply because the .45-70 and the .445 do everything I need.

Pete

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2012, 12:11:31 AM »

I recommend the 45-70 .I use mine primarily for home protection . Here in West Texas we are occasionally beset with attacking marauding Armadillos. The old 45-70 will stop them in their tracks.
Good Luck
George

Dinny · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2012, 01:09:19 AM »

Quote from: jeepmann1948 on November 27, 2012, 12:11:31 AM

Here in West Texas we are occasionally beset with attacking marauding Armadillos. The old 45-70 will stop them in their tracks.
Good Luck
George

Use enough gun!

Words to live by.

Thanks, Dinny

Bob_VT · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2012, 02:10:57 AM »

45-70 hands down!!

Wally world has good deals and the dam thing is addictive to shoot.

The retained energy at long range is great however, consider all of the "hunting" shots you have taken. 95% of mine have been 100 yards or less.

I have experimented with BP and many handloads. You can load the 45-70 up to the point where it is punishing but, I prefer the pleasurable.

You have my vote!

45-70.gov · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2012, 02:23:42 AM »

quote
Now, the 444 is very accurate, eats a little less powder and lead, and has less recoil. T
i agree with this

but if your looking at these two your looking to go big
so you might as well go biggest

i only load cast bullits now so i lean towards big bore
other than that a 30-30 will do all you need to do

45-70 is the biggest and a classic
444 might have some advandages tho

Catshooter45 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 27, 2012, 08:45:42 AM »

45-70s are usually easier to find. So are components. Before somebody posts a link showing how easy it is to find 444 stuff, go to a gun show and look for once-fired for both. Good luck.

I have a sixteen, twenty two and thirty two inch 45-70, so you could say I like 'em.

But if push comes to shove, the 30-30 is the one I'd keep over the rest.

Cat

redleg11b · « **Reply #10 on:** November 27, 2012, 10:52:47 AM »

I work in a sporting goods store. We had 5 cases of 30-30, 308, 243, and much more of the 270 and 30-06. We had 1 case (10 boxes) of 45/70 and no 444 or 44 (sad, but I sell what we get). I sold 1 box of 45/70. All the short action and 30-30 rounds sold out, I was down to 8 boxes of the '06 and 270. For ease to find and less competition come deer season for limited stock, the 45/70 is hard to beat for non-reloaders like myself. It is definately high on my cartridge list as I narrow down for my next purchase. I'm trying to decide between it and the 30-30 because I want a rimmed cartridge and open sights, but not the 500 or 22H.

mechanic · « **Reply #11 on:** November 27, 2012, 11:55:30 AM »

As far as recoil, in factory loads, the 45-70 is much milder. There are no "trapdoor" 444's, but a lot of 45-70s. If you reload, it's all moot, as you can load 'em where you want 'em.

Ben

twoshooter · « **Reply #12 on:** November 27, 2012, 12:38:58 PM »

If you 45/70 boys don't quit badmouthin' my 444, I will have to point out that YOU are only MEDIUM sized and drag out my 500...

brayh92 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2012, 12:45:26 PM »

my first Handi was also a .45-70 and i dont reload so i shoot hornady 325 gr leverevolutions out of it and its a tack driver at 100 yards and will drop hogs and deer where they stand i love the performance and love shooting it its by far my favorite out of all my single shots and most of my other guns so thats what i would go with i have been consider gettin a .444 but as mentioned the .45-70 covers everything and more

8uck5nort · « **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2012, 02:47:29 PM »

I have neither, but eventually hope to have them both. I can never make up my mind. That is the only way to decide.

peak98 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 28, 2012, 06:05:20 AM »

Thanks for the suggestions gentlemen, I appreciate all the comments and opinions. I have a lead on a 444 Marlin, if it doesn't sell before Friday, I was hoping to find a 45-70 barrel but haven't had any luck yet.

twoshooter · « **Reply #16 on:** November 28, 2012, 03:01:09 PM »

Good luck, we will be waiting for reports

peak98 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 29, 2012, 11:51:33 AM »

444 sold before I could get home.... Good news is I bloodied my 35 Whelen :-)

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #18 on:** November 29, 2012, 04:19:23 PM »

Complete 45-70 for sale in the classifieds. I also sent you a PM.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,269463.0.html

geezer56 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2012, 03:19:07 PM »

I have both calibers. I have taken many deer with the 45-70, not so much the 444. Only 2 deer and 2 hogs with the 444. In my opinion, there isn't a sneeze worth of difference in the 2. The 444 may shoot a touch flatter is about all. Either one makes a deer look like you dropped a house on him. My only advice is to stay away from the Hornady gummi bear bullets in the 444, (Leverevolutions) they appear to be a bit explosive. Haven't tried those in the 45-70.

peak98 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2012, 03:27:29 PM »

got a 444 barrel coming my way :-)

peak98 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 03, 2012, 03:07:02 PM »

444 barrel arrived at my house today. I've been wondering "Will it fit"?? As luck would have it, the barrel fits great, just like my factory 35 Whelen barrel. Now to get a scope on it and hopefully try it out in the next week or so. I'm gonna try the factory Remington 240gr rounds first, Hopefully they'll shoot ok. Barrel is a 1 in 20" twist. If they don't shoot well, any factory recommendations ?

twoshooter · « **Reply #22 on:** December 03, 2012, 04:05:28 PM »

The standard for elk would be factory 265 gr. and there is the Hornady Lever Evoloution. There are some factory cast but I dont know what they are as I cast all of my own. There are a bunch that will show up shortly I think. Quick has posted some pretty impressive pictures of his anti- tank loads

I will be surprised if the 240's dont shoot though.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #23 on:** December 03, 2012, 04:54:57 PM »

240gr handloads shot great in that barrel!

Tim

jpshaw · « **Reply #24 on:** December 04, 2012, 01:55:26 AM »

Decided last Spring to buy the first decent .444 or .45-70 that showed up in the Pawn Shops to replace my overbore .432 and 38" twist .44 maggie for Louisiana's Primitive Season. First one to show was a pristine .444 with Swift 3 - 9 Scope and sling. Checked the twist and it was 1/20". Took it home and have never regretted it. This is North Louisiana so don't even say I needed a .45-70 because my .444 lacked power enough to kill. It literally stomps them poor deer.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 04, 2012, 04:39:47 AM »

I suppose if one of those 44 Maximums ever comes my way at the right price I'd have to get it too (confessions of an unrepentant experimenter).

Wagguy80 · « **Reply #26 on:** December 04, 2012, 04:50:59 PM »

I shoot a .444 with Hornady "gummie bear" bullets, and haven't had any problems. It tore a 350lb hog up it was DRT on the run at 75 yards.

My father shoots a .45-70 I can't really tell 10 cents worth of difference. Could nit pick all day but bottom line they both kill stuff just as dead at the same ranges.

Ammo for either is scarce unless you like shooting Hornady leverevolution. I shot a 350lb hog with mine and had no problems with it's performance.

It's very accurate for a single shot, and I haven't done anything to it other than scope it, and shoot it. 100% stock, and it's touching holes out to 100 from the bench. It'll start walking if your shooting fast, but it's a hunting rifle. So as long as the 1st shot cold is pipping the ace I'm not worried about it.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #27 on:** December 05, 2012, 04:35:57 AM »

Short range, no dif, long range, no contest, 45-70. Its physics.
That said, 'most' big game isnt bagged at long range and most dont use either for Prairie Dogs (look out, Albert, incoming!)
As wise man once said,'Use enough cartridge for the game'; that, (and a bullet that will do the job) and you eat tenderloin.

colt1960 · « **Reply #28 on:** December 05, 2012, 09:33:25 AM »

I have one of the 2 calibers the 45-70. I happen to love it. Ive not run across a 444 as of yet. good luck with yours.

Author Topic: I can't stand it any longer ! Look what y'all have made me do... *UPDATE* (Read 1636 times)

Author Topic: I can't stand it any longer ! Look what y'all have made me do... UPDATE (Read 1636 times)