45-70 or 444 Marlin??

[Old Grizz]

Hi Tim, I didn't know that. Looks like it might be the 45-70 then.

[quickdtoo]

Or  .38-55....or .44mag....or 45Colt....or .444...or 450M...or 500S&W. 

Tim

[bilmac]

Someone mentioned shooting 410s in a 444. I would think that would be a bit of a tight fit. I have shot a few in the 45-70 whihc is admittedly a little sloppy, but they didn't split. I always like to have something in my pocket to take our dumb blue grouse when I hunt in the timber. Accurate enough to make headshots at a max of 15 yards. The real hard part is to get it to shoot to the sights without adjustment. I've never been able to come up with anything for my 45-70, thus the 410s.

[NFG]

I think the ability to handle pain...of any kind...is personal.  Some peole have a higher threshold than others.  The ability to handle rifle recoil is also a learned response.  I have lots of projects going on all the time and my own range so I'm shooting something on a daily basis.  I've learned, tho', that if I want to get the best targets from small calibers when developing the highest accuracy I better shoot them BEFORE I break out the biggies.  The human body can absorb just so much energy in the form of recoil before it starts rebelling. 

Right now I'm shooting up some 30 year old Hornady 200 gr 338 bullets using the same load I first developed.  After 20 rounds my body is vibrating...literaly...the recoil isn't bothersome but the number of rounds adds up...and the rifle needs cleaning by then.

Any caliber can be loaded up or down so use the lighter loads for practice and work out a good heavy load for hunting.  I have a couple of 525 gr loads for my 45-70 I only use for hunting you see...I don't like to waste those big plugs on paper and I have several 300 gr loads for "plinking".   

I bought several boxes of Rem 405 45-70 when I first acquired my BC and was surprized how little recoil they generated.  From hearing all the stories and reading the posts online I figured I was in for some real pain.  It just goes to show we men need to be hairy legged whether it's real or not.

On another note...I think I've taken as many deer with a 22 LR than I've taked with the rest of my shooters.  I don't recommend it due to the legality aspect, but sticking a round in the eye will give you venison steaks anytime...as long as you're close enough and have the ability.

'Njoy

[cajun]

Griz:

Tim hit the nail on the head.  This would be for the primitive weapon season here in Louisiana.  But, I don't think the 500S&W would be allowed.  I understand the max caliber is 45.

For other rifle hunting, I use a 243...a real sissy caliber.

Thanks,

John

[quickdtoo]

The LA rules don't mention a maximum caliber, just min of .38 cal for breech loaders, but the recoil would pretty much preclude all but the .38-55, .44mag and 45Colt for sissy hunters!!! 

Tim

Single shot, breech loading rifles, .38 caliber or larger, of a kind or type manufactured prior
to 1900 and replicas, reproductions or reintroductions of that type rifle having an exposed
hammer that use metallic cartridges loaded either with black powder or modern smokeless
powder.
All of the above may be fitted with magnified scopes.

http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/hunting/LA_20Hunt08.pdf

[sasu]

A Legacy/Puma/Rossi 92 lever action in 454 Casull comes very close to 444 Marlin, 45-70 and 450 Marlin, and the gun weighs a pound or two less.

From a 16" carbine barrel in 454 Casull I just chronographed factory loads Hornady 300 gr @ 1960 fps, Magtech 260 gr @ 2110 fps. The problem would be that most 0.452" bullets are designed for revolver velocities and might not survive hitting a game animal at these speeds.

[Dixie Dude]

What if you used the 300 gr 45-70 bullet in the 454 loaded hot?  This should survive a higher speed hit shouldn't it?  Sounds like I might like to buy a .454 carbine if it comes that close to a 45-70. 

[quickdtoo]

A Legacy/Puma/Rossi 92 lever action in 454 Casull comes very close to 444 Marlin, 45-70 and 450 Marlin, and the gun weighs a pound or two less.

From a 16" carbine barrel in 454 Casull I just chronographed factory loads Hornady 300 gr @ 1960 fps, Magtech 260 gr @ 2110 fps. The problem would be that most 0.452" bullets are designed for revolver velocities and might not survive hitting a game animal at these speeds.

A levergun isn't legal for the OP's application, the regs require a single shot, breech loader. But there are a couple .452" spitzer bullets that are made for velocities of the Casull and 460S&W, the 250gr and 300gr Hornady SSTs and the 275gr Barnes XPB, smokleless muzzleloaders push the 250gr SST over 2600fps with excellent on game results. That's what I'll be shooting in my 460S&W Handi. 

Tim

Single shot, breech loading rifles, .38 caliber or larger, of a kind or type manufactured prior
to 1900 and replicas, reproductions or reintroductions of that type rifle having an exposed
hammer that use metallic cartridges loaded either with black powder or modern smokeless
powder.
All of the above may be fitted with magnified scopes.

http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/hunting/LA_20Hunt08.pdf

[quickdtoo]

What if you used the 300 gr 45-70 bullet in the 454 loaded hot?  This should survive a higher speed hit shouldn't it?  Sounds like I might like to buy a .454 carbine if it comes that close to a 45-70. 

Won't work, the 45Colt/454Casull/460S&W all used .452"-454" bullets, the 45-70 uses .457"-.458" or bigger bullets.

Tim