Compare .45-70, .444 Marlin, and .450 Marlin

A

AUTiger73

New member
As it relates to the current production Marlin Model 1895, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the .45-70, .444 Marlin, and .450 Marlin calibers. Marlin now offers each of these in the "Guide" type rifle.

Which one is the most versatile?

While I know the .45-70 call handle 405 bullets, does either of the other calibers have the ability to feed & chamber these larger bullets?

Given that the .444 Marlin is limited by bullet size, what advantage does the new .450 Marlin have?

THE BIG QUESTION pertaining to the .450 Marlin, What chances does it have to succeed commercially?
 
A handloading proposition, but all the rounds you mentioned can be loaded with a 405 gr bullets. You'd be shooting cast, but at the velocities of the 3 rounds mentioned, it wouldn't matter. If I were building a heavy hunting rifle with today's components, it'd be a 444 Marlin with a 20" barrel and a 2 shot magazine. You can push 280gr cast to well over 2500fps and not much will survive that with a good hit.I have (3) 45-70's, two Rugers and one Remington. I've played around with the 45-70 for 35yr for plinking and whitetails. A 300gr is the lightest practical bullet for it. The 450 Marlin has one loading. A 350 at 2100fps. It can be more versatile with handloads. Unless you handload, I wouldn't pick any of them. Their versatility is limited.
 
If you don't reload, the .450 Marlin is the way to go. The .450 Marlin is nothing but a rifle that shoots factory ammo loaded to the specs that handloaders were already loading the .45-70 to. The story goes that hot .45-70 ammo wasn't readily available because someone might try to shoot it out of an old trapdoor or something. So, they came out with a cartridge that achieved the same ballistics, but belted, so that it couldn't be chambered in a .45-70. The .444 Marlin is a great caliber in my opinion. Factory ammo is nothing to write home about however. But, If you reload, you have a lot to work with. You can load the .444 with any bullet intended for a .44 mag. If you are concerned about the fact that these bullets wern't designed to go at those speeds, you can also buy bullets designed strictly for the .444 Marlin. I have loads for the .444 that use pistol powders and cast bullets duplicating .44 mag handgun velocities, on up to 300 grain bullets at 2200 fps+. You can shoot heavier bullets, but I have never tried it. This makes the .444 more versitile in my mind. The .45-70 is a more potent cartridge, but for me, I think it is guilding the lilly. I wouldn't hesitate to hunt anything on this continent with the .444 and most of what is on the African continent. One eye opener is to compare any of these calibers to the ballistics of the blackpowder "elephant rifles" used in the days of yore. Hot loads for the .444 and .45/70 are available as factory ammo from several sources.
 
You can not buy ammunition for the .450 Marlin that will have higher power than the .45-70 loads from Buffalo Bore, Garret, or Cor-Bon.

If you reload, it is possible to push a 405 gr. cast bullet above 2000 fps in a Guide Gun. Rough on the shoulder and fingers, but doable. The .45-70 ammo has the added advantage of being much more widely available than the .450 Marlin.

I can not say much about the .444 Marlin. No experience with it. But lots of folks whose opinions I respect have a very high opinion of the .444 Marlin.

Paco Kelly has written some great articles on both the .444 Marlin and .45-70 Gov't. Go to http://www.sixgunner.com and check Back Issues. Paco provides some loading advise for both calibers.

Doc Hudson
 
Thanks to all for your opinions. I'm leaning toward the .45-70 for a number of reasons. I have a small collection of bullet molds, among them is a Lyman .458 in 300 grain which should do just find in the .45-70. On the other hand, I have some bullet mold in .429. What to do?

Well, the old .45-70 has been around a long time. The reloading potential is certainly there, at least within the parameters of the Marlin design. The .444 has never achieved the commercial success expected of it and newer .450 is crowding into that same market. Me thinks the .45-70 will be my choice, unless of course I can find a "super deal" on the .444 or .450. Another sign of old age approaching. Can't make up my mind!
 
Hey AUTiger,

If you get the .45-70 and start reloading, give old Reese Teague a call at Valiant Ammunition in Eastaboga, Al phone # (256) 236-5897.

He casts up some nice 405 gr. FP bullets that shoot really good in my Rolling Block and my Marlin 1895.

Doc Hudson
 
Doc: It is a small world. I'm originally from Pell City, AL (St.Clair Co.) and Eastaboga is just across the Coosa River. Back in the 1960's the government had some top secret operations from the old Eastaboga air strip. As you probably know, Eastaboga is only spitting distance from the Talladega International Raceway (located near Lincoln).

Thanks for the info. Next time I'm up that way I'll lookup Mr. Teague at Valiant Ammunition. Never really like bullet casting, so another source is welcome!

Noted in earlier thread you mentioned having a friend in the "circle city" of SE Alabama, my current home. Indeed, it is a small world.
 
AUTiger73,

I'd like to extend an invitation for you to join the circle at the http://www.sixgunner.com message board.

It is a really good bunch of folks and I think you will enjoy the topics of conversation. Nothing is considered off topic as long as it is presented in a civil manner. We discuss everything from books and prayer requests, to heavy loads for .500 Linebaugh Long revolvers, rifles, and recipes, and many other items besides. We swap hunting stories and discuss dream guns and "what if's" galore.

Regards,
Doc Hudson
 
Doc: Thanks for the invite. I occasionally visit there.
No doubt, some good folks at that site.

But time is getting to be a problem as my boss passed away and I'm being promoted to Director. Looks like I'll be disappearing from these forums until my management system is in place. Happy shooting days to all...
 
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