OK guys,
I've been a shooter all my life, but at 42, I'm just now delving into the world of BIG BORE LEVER GUNS (yee-ha!).
I have friends with BBLGs, but a couple are trying to sway me in different directions.
Here's what I THINK I have learned from this site and personal observation.
1- The .444 is becoming very popular and is "an inherently accurate" caliber, (is that compared to the 45/70?)
2-45/70 is still a more popular caliber with a greater availability of....over the counter factory loads, and reloading components (brass). Also the price of .444 brass and factory loads is still pretty steep when I've found it.
3- In the end, the 45/70 can be loaded with a much heavier bullet and greater ft/lbs of knock-down than the .444.
4- The .450 Marlin is not very common as I have yet to find brass or factory loads at my local shooting supply shops or any of the 'box' stores like Gander Mtn, Dicks, or Walmart.
Is there any real logical advantage to owning a .444 or a .450 over the tried and true 45/70?
I've already purchased a Marlin Outfitter P ,444 and it is fun to shoot but at $25 a box/20, it is going to take a few bucks to build up a supply of brass.
I bought it in .444 because, as a kid I saved and bought a savage 99 and was talked into getting it in .243 although I wanted it in a savage caliber, 250-savage and I've kind of regretted it since.
In the end, I might have to find a marlin in a 45/70 just to own both of them.
Somebody convince me one way or the other.
I've been a shooter all my life, but at 42, I'm just now delving into the world of BIG BORE LEVER GUNS (yee-ha!).
I have friends with BBLGs, but a couple are trying to sway me in different directions.
Here's what I THINK I have learned from this site and personal observation.
1- The .444 is becoming very popular and is "an inherently accurate" caliber, (is that compared to the 45/70?)
2-45/70 is still a more popular caliber with a greater availability of....over the counter factory loads, and reloading components (brass). Also the price of .444 brass and factory loads is still pretty steep when I've found it.
3- In the end, the 45/70 can be loaded with a much heavier bullet and greater ft/lbs of knock-down than the .444.
4- The .450 Marlin is not very common as I have yet to find brass or factory loads at my local shooting supply shops or any of the 'box' stores like Gander Mtn, Dicks, or Walmart.
Is there any real logical advantage to owning a .444 or a .450 over the tried and true 45/70?
I've already purchased a Marlin Outfitter P ,444 and it is fun to shoot but at $25 a box/20, it is going to take a few bucks to build up a supply of brass.
I bought it in .444 because, as a kid I saved and bought a savage 99 and was talked into getting it in .243 although I wanted it in a savage caliber, 250-savage and I've kind of regretted it since.
In the end, I might have to find a marlin in a 45/70 just to own both of them.
Somebody convince me one way or the other.
