Author Topic: Dump the 45-70 and keep the .444 Marlin and the .44 Mag... (Read 2589 times)

northkid · « **Reply #30 on:** March 16, 2012, 11:59:10 AM »

Quote from: Rodland on March 16, 2012, 11:03:39 AM

Hey! What be that "commie handi". Don't think I got one of them. We ain't helpin northkid a bit wit his delima.

Thank ya. I was thinkin it may of been the 7.62x39 or 54r. Them barrels go for a carzy price.

northkid · « **Reply #31 on:** March 16, 2012, 12:05:15 PM »

Quote from: stimpylu32 on March 16, 2012, 11:18:59 AM

Quote from: northkid on March 16, 2012, 05:54:55 AM
Thinking of selling the new 45-70 barrel and sticking with the 444 Marlin & 44 Mag. A 185gr to 400gr in the 444 should be plenty to hunt anything in NA. What ya think?

Just from a fractory ammo standpoint , the 45/70 comes in 3 diffrent power levels , you can find ammo in just about any sporting goods store , back woods gun shop and even some of the out of the way gas stations anywere in the US , try that with the 444 .

stimpy

That does make sense as you, Pete and others have stated. What kind of range can you shoot with the 45-70? My 1895M 450 I only have shot it at 100 yards. I have bullets for the 45-70 up to 720gr. But never loaded for the 45-70.

twoshooter · « **Reply #32 on:** March 16, 2012, 02:18:24 PM »

When I first saw the post, I felt an initial twinge of sympathy........ then by the middle I was less than sympathetic......... and by the end I wanted to smack you with a boat paddle. Your problem is just like Romneys......... which Cadillac should I tie the dog on today.......

35 ENCORE barrels?

?
You want to simplify.............just divide those handi's amongst the respondents here and then use one of those encores for a club..... cant get much simpler than that

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #33 on:** March 16, 2012, 04:09:33 PM »

I have only shot my 45/70 out to 300 yards , however I know people that 600 to 1000 yards is common for long range silly-wet shooting . Relizing of course that the targets are the size of American Bison .

stimpy

mechanic · « **Reply #34 on:** March 16, 2012, 05:20:23 PM »

Don't do terrible things. Keep the 45-70. Put the devil out of your head!

I shoot the 45-70 to 800 yds. Now, I wouldn't shoot a critter that distance, but my white sheet of steel has felt the hammer many times.

Ben

BBF · « **Reply #35 on:** March 17, 2012, 04:34:06 AM »

Re Blackpowder
I've loaded BP into the 444 case for the "hoot" of it. I don't recall doing it with the 44 Rem

As far as finding ammo in a backwood store, since you reload that wouldn't be an issue.

I had the 444 Marlin in a Marlin rifle with the Micro groove barrel. The heaviest bullet that can be stabilized was the Hdy 265 which was designed by them just for that cartridge. and will also work from the 44 Rem case.
The Handi's have a Ballard barrel with a tighter twist if I am correct so heavier bullets( 300 gr) can be used.

I presume you have noticed that a full house 444 Marlin is less damaging on your shoulder compared with a "steamy" 45-70 load.

Sourdough · « **Reply #36 on:** March 17, 2012, 06:52:06 AM »

Keep the 45-70. Everybody needs at least one 45-70. I have two, and use them every spring for Bear. They work good on Moose too in the Fall. With those little Whitetails, nice 45 caliber hole in and a nice 45 caliber hole out. Big holes leak lots of blood. Slow bullets don't cause a lot of hemirage, no blood shot meat to cut out. Shot a Whitetail with my Dad's .444, lost half the ribs due to hydrostatic shock. 45-70 don't do that.

Catshooter45 · « **Reply #37 on:** March 17, 2012, 01:04:42 PM »

It's almost against the law to post here if you don't own either a .30-30 or a .45-70.

But to own one and then sell it? Oh my, my. What is this world coming too?

Cat

demented · « **Reply #38 on:** March 17, 2012, 06:17:26 PM »

The 45-70 actually fires rifle bullets, the Trip 4 uses handgun bullets does it not? I'd keep my 45-70 RIFLE....

northkid · « **Reply #39 on:** March 17, 2012, 07:05:07 PM »

Quote from: mechanic on March 16, 2012, 05:20:23 PM

Don't do terrible things. Keep the 45-70. Put the devil out of your head!

I shoot the 45-70 to 800 yds. Now, I wouldn't shoot a critter that distance, but my white sheet of steel has felt the hammer many times.

Ben

Ya ya ya I keeping the 45-70 and dumping the 44 and 444. You guys talked me to keeping the 45-70 SO I picked another new 45-70 Handi up today so I have a spare one.

Damm that is good shooting, what kind out of bullets are you shooting that far light or heavy ones?

northkid · « **Reply #40 on:** March 17, 2012, 07:13:34 PM »

Quote from: BBF on March 17, 2012, 04:34:06 AM

Re Blackpowder
I've loaded BP into the 444 case for the "hoot" of it. I don't recall doing it with the 44 Rem

As far as finding ammo in a backwood store, since you reload that wouldn't be an issue.

I had the 444 Marlin in a Marlin rifle with the Micro groove barrel. The heaviest bullet that can be stabilized was the Hdy 265 which was designed by them just for that cartridge. and will also work from the 44 Rem case.
The Handi's have a Ballard barrel with a tighter twist if I am correct so heavier bullets( 300 gr) can be used.

I presume you have noticed that a full house 444 Marlin is less damaging on your shoulder compared with a "steamy" 45-70 load.

I don't want the full bore loads, I would like to use my shoulder later in life.

Heavy bullets in the old trapdoor loads would be fine for the huntin I do. I have .458 from 300gr to 720gr and in 44 I have up to like 425gr. I like the 444 as it seemed to be a flater shooting round than my 1895 marlin 45-70 GG.

northkid · « **Reply #41 on:** March 17, 2012, 07:20:15 PM »

Quote from: Sourdough on March 17, 2012, 06:52:06 AM

Keep the 45-70. Everybody needs at least one 45-70. I have two, and use them every spring for Bear. They work good on Moose too in the Fall. With those little Whitetails, nice 45 caliber hole in and a nice 45 caliber hole out. Big holes leak lots of blood. Slow bullets don't cause a lot of hemirage, no blood shot meat to cut out. Shot a Whitetail with my Dad's .444, lost half the ribs due to hydrostatic shock. 45-70 don't do that.

That is what Amigo Will has talked about in his Ruger #1 with the 45-70 will put a cast bullet through a brown bear from head to hind end and the bullets still exits.

I have ran some .338 300gr RN at 1800 fps and just makes a nice thru and thru hole not much meat damage.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #42 on:** March 18, 2012, 05:12:27 AM »

OH,NO!!!!

I'm too late to save you!

I like to go against the flow, so to speak, so I would urge you to keep the 444 and 44. The 444 shoots flatter, kicks less, penetrates as well, uses any bullet of the correct size, will get you even more red heads, blondes, brunettes ect. and will take anything on the NA continent with the proper bullet. I have my fire gear on, so am ready to be flamed. I have four 444's four 44's and two 45-70's, guess which I will keep.

The fact that many 444 barrels have the slower twist only means to keep them accurate with cast bullets, make sure they are the proper size for your barrel, many need .431 or .432 bullets, and drive them fast. 350 gr.s can be quite accurate if you take care of those details. Oh well, it's too late to save you, (unless ya get another 444 and 44 mag.

). Enjoy, what ever you do. DP

jlwilliams · « **Reply #43 on:** March 18, 2012, 07:07:29 AM »

Well, since the 44 and the 444 can use the same projos, it does make economical sense to keep them as a pair. The 45-70 is one of the more sought after Handi barrels as the responses thus far indicate, so you won't have much trouble converting it into cash. I can see how that makes sense. I can also see how having a 444 and a 45-70 is sort of covering similar ground.

If you put the 45-70 barrel on the classifieds, I'll wager you'll get it sold fast and likely to someone who's watching this thread. If that is all you have in 45-70, you might consider making some sort of a package deal up with the barrel and some brass or other components, which is sure to get jumped all over.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #44 on:** March 18, 2012, 07:13:48 AM »

Ya might wanta read more of the replies, not only is he keeping the 45-70, he bought another one, way to go kid!!!

Quote from: northkid on March 17, 2012, 07:05:07 PM

Ya ya ya I keeping the 45-70 and dumping the 44 and 444. You guys talked me to keeping the 45-70 SO I picked another new 45-70 Handi up today so I have a spare one. Damm that is good shooting, what kind out of bullets are you shooting that far light or heavy ones?

northkid · « **Reply #45 on:** March 18, 2012, 07:40:19 AM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on March 18, 2012, 07:13:48 AM

Ya might wanta read more of the replies, not only is he keeping the 45-70, he bought another one, way to go kid!!!

Quote from: northkid on March 17, 2012, 07:05:07 PM
Ya ya ya I keeping the 45-70 and dumping the 44 and 444. You guys talked me to keeping the 45-70 SO I picked another new 45-70 Handi up today so I have a spare one. Damm that is good shooting, what kind out of bullets are you shooting that far light or heavy ones?

Tim,

I had to do some peaking at some of your posts on the 45-70 as I have reads some of your posts in the past.

northkid · « **Reply #46 on:** March 18, 2012, 07:42:42 AM »

Quote from: jlwilliams on March 18, 2012, 07:07:29 AM

Well, since the 44 and the 444 can use the same projos, it does make economical sense to keep them as a pair. The 45-70 is one of the more sought after Handi barrels as the responses thus far indicate, so you won't have much trouble converting it into cash. I can see how that makes sense. I can also see how having a 444 and a 45-70 is sort of covering similar ground.

If you put the 45-70 barrel on the classifieds, I'll wager you'll get it sold fast and likely to someone who's watching this thread. If that is all you have in 45-70, you might consider making some sort of a package deal up with the barrel and some brass or other components, which is sure to get jumped all over.

When the time comes there will be so much 44 mag and 444 brass, bullets to hit the classified than Jimmy Carter has jelly beans. Justa goten another 45-70 yesterday. So I have 1 pile instead of 2.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #47 on:** March 18, 2012, 11:37:37 AM »

For those that think the 444 is a pipsquik, check out the thread on Marlin Owners. Com in the 444 section titled "Two more 444 articals". Flat Top has done a lot of work with the 444 in the Marlin to acheive the impressive results of a 405 gr bullet moving over 2100 fps producing more than 4000 ft lb's of energy. Would have to do very little to the Handi to acheive the same at pressures associated with a lever action. This is just for information only, cause I know 45-70 owners don't want a 444.

DP

northkid · « **Reply #48 on:** March 18, 2012, 12:07:14 PM »

Quote from: dpe.ahoy on March 18, 2012, 11:37:37 AM

For those that think the 444 is a pipsquik, check out the thread on Marlin Owners. Com in the 444 section titled "Two more 444 articals". Flat Top has done a lot of work with the 444 in the Marlin to acheive the impressive results of a 405 gr bullet moving over 2100 fps producing more than 4000 ft lb's of energy. Would have to do very little to the Handi to acheive the same at pressures associated with a lever action. This is just for information only, cause I know 45-70 owners don't want a 444. DP

Flat Top is the cause of all of this.

Beartooth website has some good write ups on the 444 Marlin.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #49 on:** March 18, 2012, 12:20:58 PM »

Its a pistol... but same applies. I think you will understand my feelings.

I also just bought my FIFTH Handi 45-70 and that brings my tally on this caliber to nine so chambered.... In 44mag... two both hand guns and 444... none currently... I did own three. one of each generation of Marlin. But I sold them off...

CW

gcrank1 · « **Reply #50 on:** March 18, 2012, 02:05:56 PM »

HaHaHaHaHaHa...........
Dang good reason(s) the old warhorse has been around this long with all those people sayin' its day was over.............

mechanic · « **Reply #51 on:** March 18, 2012, 03:06:21 PM »

To shoot long range with the 45-70, go with the heavier bullets, at least 405 gr. Don't try and hotrod them. Normal loadings that will produce 1200 -1500 fps. and you will get reasonable accuracy at long range. My "groups" are approximately 12" or so on a white sheet of steel. I spray paint back over it after I check groups. For sure not accurate enough to hunt with, but it's satisfying to hear the "ding" of impact, shooting with a ladder sight from a prone position.

Understand, it's quite a hold over, sorta like aiming a mortar.

Ben

goofyoldfart · « **Reply #52 on:** March 19, 2012, 02:33:55 PM »

The simple answer is just keep all three. .44mag, .444 marlin and 45-70. Make sure you have a good .22 pistol and rifle and a good 12gauge and 20gauge. It's not really complicated now, is it?

Oh yes, and don't forget a good 30-06 and a 30-30.

Plus it's sorta fun to have a stubbed 7.62X54R and a 7.62X39.

Sorta like to make a 7.62X39R.

See NorthKid , it reaallllyyy is simple.