Marlin lever gun large bore caliber; .444 Mar or .450 Mar or .45-70

Which larger bore caliber would you choose for a Marlin lever gun?

  • .444 Marlin

    Votes: 9 9.9%

  • .450 Marlin

    Votes: 9 9.9%

  • .45-70

    Votes: 74 81.3%
  • Total voters
    91
  • Poll closed .
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kmrcstintn

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Here is your scenario...you are going to get a Marlin large bore caliber lever gun...which caliber do you choose...

.444 Marlin or .450 Marlin or .45-70

Please share your opinions (pros vs cons) and experiences with the caliber of your choice. Thanks.
 
That's a hard one.

All have their good points.
The .45-70 is available in both a heavy and light bullet. (usually in a 300 gr and 405 gr). They are available in most ammo stores. The .45-70 is slower than both the .444 and .450 Marlin.

That leaves the .444 and .450 Marlin. Since factory loads for the .444 Marlin are usually 240 gr and sometimes 300 gr, and the factory loads for the .450 Marlin are usually in the 400 gr area you need to choose by your need. If you need a lighter bullet go with the .444 Marlin, and of course if you want a heavier bullet go with the .450 Marlin.

In the end, I would probably go with the .45-70 because of price and avaliability of ammo.

***PLEASE*** do not jump all over me. I know reloaders can make any load they want. I know those numbers might not be exact. I'm just generalizing to get me point across. Even though I might not be exactly on the money, I'm close enough to make the point without distorting the facts.
***THANK YOU***
 
For much the same reasons as the above poster, and since I am not a reloader, I'd go with the .45-70 . If I was a reloader, then perhaps I might think otherwise.
 
this poll seems to be a wash so far. :)


the most glaring reason for me to chose the 45-70 is the fact that I already reload for it.

Second is that its on the shelf at my three closest wal-marts...

Third...you can hot-rod a marlin pretty good with that round...makes it more than a match for any critter on the North American Continent...damn near the world.


D
 
Being that I currently own five .444's, seven .45-70's, and two .450's...I choose the .444's. Everything from squirrels to elephants. Not to take anything away from the .45-70, but it has the attributes of the .45-70's and less of the negatives. The .450 is for sadomaschists....at least in the rifles chambered for it.

Read "Cartridges of the World", they really like the .444. Even though it is a trajectory bullet, it is only about half that of the .45-70. Even though it can not be loaded with as heavy as a bullet as the .45-70, it can be loaded to equal the energy.
 
I went through this last fall and I chose the .45-70 for ease of reloading. Lots more recipes and things to play with even though the other 2 may have cooler looking stats on paper.

I've heard it said that "If you can't kill it with a .45-70 then RUN".
 
If you own a 44 magnum, I'd say the 444. That's what decided it for me. You've got a lot of components that interchange that way.
 
As I understand it, the reason for the .450 Marlin is
to have a factory load that matches the "Marlin lever or
Ruger singleshot only" hot loads for .45-70 without the
factory worrying that someone will fire it in a
trapdoor or other antique .45-70.

That said, for a reloader who takes the time to clearly
ID his ammo boxes as Marlin only, the .45-70 just seems
to be more versatile. Besides, Marlins in .45-70 were
around in 1895, which makes the combo traditional.
 
Ben Shepherd said:
If you own a 44 magnum, I'd say the 444. That's what decided it for me. You've got a lot of components that interchange that way.
Click to expand...

I've been kicking around the idea of getting a big bore rifle at some point and this is a point that I hadn't considered. Thank you.
 
Big Bore Boom-Boom

I have since been educated by reloaders, (of which I am not one), that the .45-70 can be loaded to similar and higher specs as the .450 Marlin. This is great if you reload - not so great if you don't. Looking at factory specs for similar offerings in .45-70 and 450 Marlin, it's plain to see that the .450 Marlin is a more powerful cartridge. I have had zero problems obtaining ammo and if I were to reload, factory brass is readily available.

So, the bottom line becomes what you want the rifle for. If you're looking at buying a very, very powerful lever gun - it will be hard to beat the 450 Marlin. I have one and can tell you first hand that this gun with factory loads, eclipses the 45-70 using factory fodder. I shot my buddies 45-70 in order to take a break from the 450 - if that tells you anything. With cup pressures dancing around 50,000 pounds, this gun pumps out a bullet with stunning power. Hit differences between the two cartridges were obvious - even to the non expert. The 450 shoots flatter longer and harder. If you're not reloading and wanting heap big boom-boom - the 450 is the one. Ammo is pricey but like I said - available.

It's also a handfull - recreational shooting is punishing. I'm a big guy, (6'4" 260lbs) - I'm no slouch and no stranger to recoil and this gun gave me a run for my money. It was bone stock, so perhaps a recoil pad and a larger lever would help. Suffice it to say that tearing the skin off my knuckles on several occasions, was enough to convince me that Marlin needs a redesign on the lever itself. This despite many attempts to reposition my grip.

However, it's one of my favorite guns - bloody knuckles and all. The sheer power of this gun is something to behold. The looks from the unknowing on the range who think you're shooting a pistol caliber laver gun, when the 450 unleashes is something else... :eek: Jaws drop as giant chunks of the 50-yard berm fly into the air.... I love it.... :evil:
 
As I already own a Marlin Guide gun in 45/70, I voted for that caliber. The only real difference between the 459 and the 45/70 is that the 450 has a belt on the case to keep it from being loaded into a trapdoor but gives you the upper levels of a 45/70 load without the reloading. It's case has less compactidy (sp?) than the 45/70.
 
I chose the .450 Marlin, since it's the most powerful levergun cartridge that is readily available over the counter and the one I have is superbly accurate. Though, I concede that the 45/70 is probably more versitile and a better choice for most people.
 
Had a chance to but a 444 marlin 336, but only passed because of aforementioned stuff about ammo. Shoot, .444 M is EXPENSIVE! I will own a 45-70 336 when I find one for a good price or a cherry one though.
 
450 less capacity than a .45-70

Not only are the case walls and head of the 450 Marlin thicker
(leaving less internal capacity) but some 45-70 brass is also
thicker than others (leaving less internal capacity.)

In muzzleloading I used three Winchester .45-70 casings as
volumetric powder measures (they held ~80gr ffg). When I
acquired some PMC 45-70 brass, I checked their capacity:
they held only ~73 gr ffg --much thicker brass than the
old ones.
 
My own 1895G is a .45-70. The .450 Marlin didn't exist when I bought it and the .444 was only available in the .444 SS version.

It's become my go-to timber carbine for deer on my forays out-of-state, supplanting my ancient 336 in .35 Remington for the job. It's just as handy, weighs about the same, has a comparable practical range, and actually delivers less perceived recoil to my shoulder with its ported barrel, Pachmayr pad and 300 gr. Federal Premium loads.

IMO, it's the wider variety of available factory loads that makes it most attractive as an all-around big bore. Even non-reloaders can have anything from mild plinking loads to something capable of taking most anything that walks on our continent.

There are no big bears, moose, Wapiti or bison (outside of zoos and the occasional private ranch) where I live. If I ever felt the need to go where they live and annoy them, the .45-70 would do just dandy provided that I did my part. In the mean time, it works like a charm on even the biggest whitetails and it's paid for:D
 
When I had a Merlin .444 I hand loaded it with 180 grain bullets. It was fantastic. I no longer shoot levers, however, in favor of more accurate bolt action rifles.
 
My choice would clearly be the .45-70. In fact I made that choice a few years ago and own one. It'll take anything you need to take. If you'll be dealing with large, dangerous game, Garrett makes high powered loads that are plenty for it. I chose it over the other two simply because of ammo availability. I reload, but I've also been known to forget ammo and have to buy locally. It doesn't shoot quite as flat, but then again, true marksmanship involves learning your ballistics anyway. Remember the buffalo hunters of old. They shot at impressive ranges with guns that had rainbow trajectories.
 
They stopped porting the guide gun because the , their porting job adversely effected the accuracy , (and it cost more ) .
I have three 45-70's love them all very flexible cartridge and quite handy in the guide gun and fun to shoot .
It is a wonderful deer cartridge , and a very good bear discourager.
 
I'd say they stopped porting the .450 cause of the extra noise. I have one that is unported and it is extremely loud. Can't imagine the ported ones.

The 450 got my vote mainly cause that is what I have. I don't see that ammo cost is really anymore than 45/70 if we are talking factory loads. I've actually see a few times when the 45/70 was more expensive. If you reload, you can always load down to the meager levels of the 45/70.:D
 
I've owned a .444 before and I'm handloading for the .45-70 now, so that's what I'd get next time. I've no interest in the .450.
 
45/70 just because ammo is easier and cheaper to get. The +P stuff loaded by PMC is loaded pretty hot so you dont have to be a reloader to enjoy almost full tilt 45/70.
 
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