Which One; .45-70, .450, or .444

[millwright]

I have the 444 with the 1:20 twist and 22 inch barrel.  I have only shot factory loads at this point, but I really like the gun.  I have never owned a 45-70, but I am sure they are a great gun also.  I have just got set to reload, I bought H4895 and the hornady 265gr.  I also plan to try some cast around the 300 gr level.  I replaced the sights with the williams peep and the front fire sight.

[Mikey]

millwright - go over and visit the Beartooth Bullets site for information on reloading the 444 with cast slugs.  That site has the most incredible information I have ever read.  The site owner has researched the 444 for eyars and documents incredible accuracy and velocity from rifles just like yours.  In fact, he used two Marlin 444s for his tests and even though I have Winchester 444s (each with a different length barrel and rifling twist) each one will shoot under an inch at 100 yds with his loads and bullets.  It is well worth the reading.  HTH.  Mikey.

[MSP Ret]

They are all nice calibers but the fine 45-70 wins hands down all things considered. You will NOT be undergunned with it in any way when compared to the other 2 calibers mentioned and in all other aspects it is the winner. I have a 45-70 and love it, it is a fun gun to shoot and reload and is cabable of taking any game I want to load it for. Factory ammo is cheapest of the 3 mentioned by a long shot and much more available. For the reloader the options are virtually endless, as far as casting your own bullets and even mixing your own BP!!!! Go with the 45-70, as probably 90%-95% of the respondants suggested, you will be happy with it....<><....

[WyoStillhunter]

You've already heard from some of my fellow Marlin Owners Forum regulars above.  It looks like you have plenty of info.

My response is simply a testimonial.  I chose .444 because I found the "best deal" on one at the time I was looking to get a big bore.  If a great deal on a 45-70 had come along first I'd have bought that instead.  I took that approach because I decided there is no PRACTICAL FIELD DIFFERENCE between the three cartridges for ALMOST ALL hunting in the lower 48.  I am happy with the 444.

To life simple (KISS) I reload for shooting fun and practice, and generally hunt with factory ammo regardless of rifle/cartridge I am using.  The .444 fits nicely into this scheme.  I can load economical ammo using pistol bullets but could, if I desired, load heavy hitting rounds with commercial bullets.

This year I took a 5X5 Mule Deer and a large bodied cow Elk with my .444 and Hdy. Lt. Mag. 265 gr. ammo.  Now that the season is over I'll go back to loading 240 gr. bullets for practice and fun over the coming months.

Good luck with your choice.

[SneakyPete]

I think I would go with the 444 also. I've shot both calibers in lever guns and the 444 is a little easier on the shoulder.

[Mikey]

millwright:  if you plan to load for the 444 get on over to the Beartooth Bullets website and see what they have to say about shooting heavy cast slugs in the 444.  I have a 444 just like yours (barrel length and twist) and mine loves heavy 300 and 330 gn cast gas-checked slugs using the Beartooth load data.  It is pretty amazing.  HTH.  Mikey.

[cam69conv]

They are all nice calibers but the fine 45-70 wins hands down all things considered. You will NOT be undergunned with it in any way when compared to the other 2 calibers mentioned and in all other aspects it is the winner. I have a 45-70 and love it, it is a fun gun to shoot and reload and is cabable of taking any game I want to load it for. Factory ammo is cheapest of the 3 mentioned by a long shot and much more available. For the reloader the options are virtually endless, as far as casting your own bullets and even mixing your own BP!!!! Go with the 45-70, as probably 90%-95% of the respondants suggested, you will be happy with it....<><....

I have the old marlin .444 AND the New one XLR....And I have YET to feel "undergunned" My Old one, with factory remmington 265gr corejunks Took down a Cape Buff at 200 yards passing through almost totally (recovered bullet in the offside skin) Buff went down in less that 10 seconds (was a double lung) with no followup shot needed...Now....I dont think there is ANY animal on the north american continent thats = to a Cape Buff in either attitude, toughness, or even size for that matter so How do you get the feeling you would be undergunned with a .444?

[apollo]

"passing through almost totally (recovered bullet in the offside skin)"

A heavy 400 gr. or heavier 45/70 would have completely penatrated and that can mean the difference between a wounded animal which can be dangerous and one that goes down to stay.