Author Topic: Trying to decide, 44 mag or 45/70, need more opinions! (Read 1460 times)

mkgeorgetown · « **on:** December 09, 2008, 04:51:36 PM »

I have asked about the 44 in this forum already, it seems the new models with the new .429 or so barrels shoot well now unlike the older ones (correct me if anyone has seen anything different). However, the more I read about the 45/70 it seems like you guys love this caliber. Let me ask this, I do not hand load so please advise on the lowest recoil load for a 45/70 (this would be for deer no more than 70 yards out), what is a brand name and what does the recoil remind you of for comparison? How about the Hornady Leverevolution? What is recoil with these like? I appreciate any feedback as I am trying to make my decision. I know, I know, get both!!!

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2008, 04:59:38 PM »

The Rem green box .45-70 aren't bad I think they are the easiest I've shot, some of the loads for cowboy shootin are lighter but I don't think I'd hunt with them. Simular to a .410 I think.

I also have a new .44 and I really don't think it recoils much even with hot loads it's shooting very well also.

I still like the 45-70 better but inside 100 yards they both perform well

revbc · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2008, 05:06:58 PM »

Try the 444 my nephew bought one and loves it.

kawie · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2008, 05:21:30 PM »

im in the same boat,i would like to know what the recoil is like on th 45/70 myself.i have a tracker II in 12ga that i dont use anymore because the recoil is to much.is the 45/70 more or less than the tracker.i also have a sidekick that i have loaded up to 80 grains with a 300 grain xtp.ive also read all the post that tim put up about his 45 colt bc with the hornady 250 grain sst an im thinking this might be the way for me to go for a 200 yard an under rifle.thanks

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** December 09, 2008, 05:46:16 PM »

Here's some recoil figures...

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

kawie · « **Reply #5 on:** December 09, 2008, 05:55:36 PM »

another question is the 45 colt bc driiled an tapped for a scope.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** December 09, 2008, 06:15:12 PM »

Yes, ALL current production rifle barrels are.

Tim

petemi · « **Reply #7 on:** December 09, 2008, 11:17:05 PM »

I shoot the Hornady LEs and the recoil doesn't bother me and I'm a skinny 150 lbs. We normally take our deer inside 100 yards. This year, I took the only shootable deer I saw all season at 220 yards with the LE. You never know where or when a deer will show up. IMHO, neither a .44 nor a reduced recoil load would have made the shot. My Handi is sighted in for the Leverevolutions. I believe the pointed bullet gives superior performance, and the .45-70 is the last rifle I'd ever part with.

Pete

1NEFsofar · « **Reply #8 on:** December 10, 2008, 02:00:05 AM »

One option that you may want to consider is increasing the weight of your gun by adding weight to the stock or having a recoil reducer installed. Regardless of caliber, more mass equals less felt recoil. I have shoulder issues so I am sensitive about recoil myself. BTW..I do have a 45-70 and a .308 as well as other large aliber non-handi's and I don't have a problem as ong as you hold the gun properly and am prepared.

Good shoooting.

Lazermule · « **Reply #9 on:** December 10, 2008, 02:42:48 AM »

My vote is for the 45/70. I have not shot any factory loads in mine, so I cannot comment on the recoil in those, but I have loaded some hot stuff with VV N133 powder and 300 grn bullets and the recoil is really not that bad. I would say it is quite a bit less than my Tracker II with 2 3/4" Hornady sabots.

45/70fan · « **Reply #10 on:** December 10, 2008, 03:26:51 AM »

The factory Remington 405 load doesn't kick much. I'd say like a 270 bolt gun or less. It's more of a push than a sharp jab. The older hotter Hornady LE load I'd rate in between a 20ga and 12ga slug kick. IMO the straight stock delivers a harder kick than the monte carlo stock, when shooting both types in 45/70 side by side.

Gohon · « **Reply #11 on:** December 10, 2008, 04:22:40 AM »

Keep in mind that felt recoil is just that, felt recoil and it is different for each shooter. What feels like a shove or gentle nudge to one person could feel like a bone crushing jolt to another person. I've seen 250 pound men wince when shooting a gun that a 110 pound woman could shoot all day. Your body build, gun weight, fit, stock design and several other factors play a part. Recoil tables will give you a idea but the only way you will know for sure is to shoot the gun you're interested in. Unfortunately most people don't find out one way or the other until after they buy the gun. If at all possible, try to find someone to let you shoot their gun and do wear hearing protection. I guarantee you that your felt recoil will be perceived as less with good hearing protection.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #12 on:** December 10, 2008, 04:55:50 AM »

If you are talking 70 yds to 100, you can't go wrong with the 44 mag or if you handload, the 45 colt. Even the 357 mag or max will do what you are asking about. If you load the fact you can use dies with out lubing the cases and then cleaning the lube off after re-sizing, is another plus. If you don't reload, the price of 50 44's is about the same as the price of 20-30 rounds of 45-70. The new 44 barrels are very accurate and as you see from the recoil table, kicks less than the 45-70. DP

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #13 on:** December 10, 2008, 04:58:30 AM »

   I'd never put down the .45-70 it's way too good for that. It is a different power level though. I have several .44s and for my area they are just fine. I'd have to plan to get a shot more than 150 yards. I've also never recovered a .44 slug from anything I've shot.
  While it may be romantic, historical, and down right fun for me here in Fla. a .45-70 would be overkill, but that's me. There are possibilities for both if you handload and want light plinking loads. If you don't handload you can buy .44 Specials to shoot in your magnum. On the hi power side, as far as I know everything in the world has been taken with a .44 mag in a handgun so out of a carbine you'd be in good company. A .45-70 in a Ruger #1 can be loaded to the mid level to lower ranges of a .458 Win Mag as well.
  In Short I'd say if you think you'll need power on the high side of the spectrum I'd go with the .45-70.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #14 on:** December 10, 2008, 10:41:36 AM »

He did say it was for deer no more than 70 yards out.

DP

Troyboy · « **Reply #15 on:** December 10, 2008, 10:47:46 AM »

44 mag.

sonofafish · « **Reply #16 on:** December 10, 2008, 10:49:15 AM »

45/70 all the way cant go wrong

mechanic · « **Reply #17 on:** December 10, 2008, 12:04:17 PM »

All the way around, the 45-70 is a more versatile cartridge, especially for handloaders. The recoil with Rem. green box ammo is very mild. I can shoot off a bench all day with no problem. The Leverloution ammo is hotter, but still no where near as bad as my 12 ga. pump. Buffalo Bore makes a hot load, and all I can say is, stand up and get ready, you will not want to shoot it all day, but it really packs a wallop.

I have more fun shooting a B.C. in 45-70 than any gun I own, and the standard Handi is fun too!

Ben

mkgeorgetown · « **Reply #18 on:** December 10, 2008, 03:47:38 PM »

Thanks for all your replies, I think I am leaning towards the 44 mag, especially since the new barrels seem to be much more accurate. I have a Ruger M77 25-06 I use if am hunting a field where I need much range, it is kind of on the heavy side to lug around though now that I am hunting thick stuff primarily, I do love that cartridge and gun though, have killed all but 4 of my deer with it (others with 30/30 and muzzle loader). Anyway, I am now about to start searching and calling my local gun stores to get them on the hunt for this handi. Hopefully it will not be hard to order or find (I am in Kentucky). Thanks again and will keep you posted once I get it on any results.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** December 10, 2008, 03:58:49 PM »

Bud's doesn't have any, but check out Whittaker's.

Tim

http://www.whittakerguns.com/

mkgeorgetown · « **Reply #20 on:** December 10, 2008, 04:33:23 PM »

Thanks Tim, Bud's is closer, but I will check out Whittaker's.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** December 10, 2008, 04:41:46 PM »

Bud's doesn't have a 44 in stock, Whittaker's doesn't show all of their stock, so they may still have one. You'll most likely find an SB1 44mag since they don't offer it any more on an SB2 frame, the SB1 can only be fitted with shotgun or Huntsman barrels in case you have accessory barrels in mind. H&R also offers it in a combo with a 12ga slug gun.

Tim

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/36_351/sort/3a/page/1

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/262

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #22 on:** December 11, 2008, 12:04:14 AM »

I have the .44, .444 and .45-70 .

I USE the .44 most.

(Recoil is not an issue as I compare everything to .458WM or .375 Ouch and Ouch.)

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #23 on:** December 11, 2008, 01:57:34 AM »

Evans archery had one in Lex about a month ago, I haven't been back since then thou, Do you have any good gun shops in georgetown I haven't been north of LA lookin.

BTW if you want to campare recoils I live in Richmond be glad to let you shoot a .357 .44 or .45-70. Shoot me a PM if youd like to try them out.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #24 on:** December 11, 2008, 03:34:16 AM »

As a general purpose hunting round I prefer the 45-70 hands down. but you mention recoil so I assume your/the user is recoil sensative. Based strictly on that cryteria, the 44mag in the same weight with gun will recoil less.

CW

BBF · « **Reply #25 on:** December 11, 2008, 09:47:20 AM »

Can you still get something from H&R in .444 Marlin?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #26 on:** December 11, 2008, 09:49:35 AM »

If you mean from H&R, it's available in a Handi and in the SS Ultra Hunter.

Tim

BBF · « **Reply #27 on:** December 11, 2008, 11:04:30 AM »

Yep, that's what I meant, however in Canada..........................

quickdtoo · « **Reply #28 on:** December 11, 2008, 11:33:32 AM »

They're both current production, the SS Ultra is new for this year, so it may be a while before you see them in Canada, but the .444 Handi was first available in 2007, as well as the original 1:38" Ultra several years ago, but it went out of production, new .444s are 1:20".

Tim

mkgeorgetown · « **Reply #29 on:** December 11, 2008, 03:55:55 PM »

Thanks to all!!
Badnews Bob, thanks for your info, I actually called Evan's today and they no longer have that 44 in stock, I have them checking on ordering me one, should here back shortly. Thanks for the offer to shoot I appreciate it, I think I have decided for certain on the 44 mag. I called Dryden's in Cynthiana, they told me they only showed the 44 mag available in synthetic stock (I want wood in case I need to make some of the mods listed in this forum). What is your alls take on this about only being available in synthetic? Anyway, depending, may give Whittaker's a call tomorrow and see if they have one on hand (they list it). Another question, if Whittaker's ships the firearm (they are in Owensboro, a too long a haul for me to drive there) I know they will have to ship it to a federally licensed dealer, how does one find this and what do they in turn charge to receive the firearm for you? Any advice on this is appreciated as well!