The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: sledgemeister on February 27, 2010, 12:16:05 AM
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Ok people OS and afaraway, please advise if one can still buy .444 Marlin cases readily?
I am debating in buying a new rifle in .444 or 45/70 both a re similar in ballistics however the 45/70 seems better placed in the market to buy cases etc for. The appealability of the .444 is that I can possibly use existing 240gr 44mag projectiles.
So are they plentiful in the land of Obama or would you reccomend going the 45/70 route?
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Ok people OS and afaraway, please advise if one can still buy .444 Marlin cases readily?
I am debating in buying a new rifle in .444 or 45/70 both a re similar in ballistics however the 45/70 seems better placed in the market to buy cases etc for. The appealability of the .444 is that I can possibly use existing 240gr 44mag projectiles.
So are they plentiful in the land of Obama or would you reccomend going the 45/70 route?
go the 45/70 they projectiles are easier to pick up :P
when you drop the container on the floor.... well easier than 9mm ones haha
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I believe that even "Cheaper than dirt" Had .444 cases, so it is probably common enough but I would go with the .45/70 because you get a cooler selection of rifles.
With the .444 you have the Marlin Lever rifle,
With the .45/70 you have The same Marlin lever Rifle, Trap door Springfield, Sharps, Martini Henry, and a wide selection of Bolt Action and Double Rifles.
Even that Gatling Gun from Dixie Gun Works ;D
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I believe that even "Cheaper than dirt" Had .444 cases, so it is probably common enough but I would go with the .45/70 because you get a cooler selection of rifles.
With the .444 you have the Marlin Lever rifle,
With the .45/70 you have The same Marlin lever Rifle, Trap door Springfield, Sharps, Martini Henry, and a wide selection of Bolt Action and Double Rifles.
Even that Gatling Gun from Dixie Gun Works ;D
Tom, you forget where I live, I would love a gatling gun however %$#^%#& politicians ruined that for us.
I actually was thinking about getting one of the H&R Handi Rifles single shot types, with a rail on it.
Lever in 45/70 or a .44 doesnt really interest me, I have a few levers and they are adequate, I just want a big banger thats not going to cost an arm and a leg. But I agree there are lots of different types of 45/70's about, but I like being different :-)
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I have the Marlin 45/70 Guide Gun and I like it quite a lot. If you want to shoot some higher power 45/70 rounds the Marlins and Ruger #1's can handle them, but don't think the handi rifles or any of the others can.
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I was in a similar decision loop....and went with the 450 Marlin. Now....that action limited me but it provided much stronger brass to be reloaded. The limitation was the incredible array of ammo and loadings that can be had with the 45/70 that matches the 450 in performance and...takes it way low as well. I can download the 450...but there is not nearly so much info to support reloading as there is in the 45/70 and...I think ditto for the 444.
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Cheers fellas!
BTW rastus what brand you go for?
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Sledge, If ya want something 'different' here ya go in 45-70.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/913142948/Guns/Rifles/Double-Rifles/REMINGTON_DOUBLE_RIFLE_SPR_2.htm
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Sledge, If ya want something 'different' here ya go in 45-70.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/913142948/Guns/Rifles/Double-Rifles/REMINGTON_DOUBLE_RIFLE_SPR_2.htm
The ticket on it says 30.06 close I suppose.
Mind you I wouldnt be opposed to a double in 45/70
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If you want different and a big stick, how about 45/90? I don't know if anything other than Sharps is chambered in it, but it will let you get a Kangaroo's attention at 1000 yards. Plus you get the whole Quigley vibe going for you. ;D
FQ13
PS if you don't mind modern, there's always TWs .338 Lapua.
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Sledge, If ya want something 'different' here ya go in 45-70.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/913142948/Guns/Rifles/Double-Rifles/REMINGTON_DOUBLE_RIFLE_SPR_2.htm
I've been to Lewis arms. Very nice shop. Not real large but no junk, only Excellent condition and higher end guns.
He used to be the "House" gunsmith at NH's largest gun store, he set up for himself.
Getting there is impossible with out good directions ;D I grew up in that area and I have to think hard about how to get there ;D
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every one that has a shilo raves about them.
http://www.shilohrifle.com/
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Tom, you forget where I live, I would love a gatling gun however %$#^%#& politicians ruined that for us.
I actually was thinking about getting one of the H&R Handi Rifles single shot types, with a rail on it.
Lever in 45/70 or a .44 doesnt really interest me, I have a few levers and they are adequate, I just want a big banger thats not going to cost an arm and a leg. But I agree there are lots of different types of 45/70's about, but I like being different :-)
At $45.000 with only a one year warranty, I don't think the Pols would cause the biggest problem. You're married right ? ;D
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=14858
but they ALSO have ;
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=989
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=2518
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=930
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=984
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I love that trapdoor carbine. ;D Gotta get me one....
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At $45.000 with only a one year warranty, I don't think the Pols would cause the biggest problem. You're married right ? ;D
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=14858
but they ALSO have ;
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=989
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=2518
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=930
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=984
Ya love to rub it in eh!
I do like the Winshitter hiwall.
I still think I will go with the H&R but might change to the Buffalo Classic.
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Cheers fellas!
BTW rastus what brand you go for?
Marlin in the 450. Rifle, not carbine. I love it but after I put 5 or 6 rounds downrange that is all I want of the beast.
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Marlin in the 450. Rifle, not carbine. I love it but after I put 5 or 6 rounds downrange that is all I want of the beast.
Hehehe need a good kick pad huh
I find it painful after letting a few fully loaded teeth rattlers in .44's when I use my rossi 92, not so bad when go jumper on but in summer and only wearing a tee shirt that bloody metal crescent butt plate starts leaving a dent in my shoulder. For the life of me I cant work out why they dont have an option for a standard stock, historically correct be damned their are no heads to crack open with them at the range........well most of the time ;D
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Hehehe need a good kick pad huh
I find it painful after letting a few fully loaded teeth rattlers in .44's when I use my rossi 92, not so bad when go jumper on but in summer and only wearing a tee shirt that bloody metal crescent butt plate starts leaving a dent in my shoulder. For the life of me I cant work out why they dont have an option for a standard stock, historically correct be damned their are no heads to crack open with them at the range........well most of the time ;D
Buy a pachmyer strap on shoulder pad. Mine is ancient, but I think it was like $30 back in the day. It is money well spent. It made the difference between fun and self abuse if I wanted to shoot 5 rounds of skeet or run through a couple of boxes of .270. Manliness be damned. The manly guys were the ones with the technicolor shoulders. ;D
FQ13
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"Past" makes a good one as well.
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Nice double rifles:
http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/DblRifle.html
Clark Double Rifle
Calibers
.30-40 Krag .45-70 .
.405 Winchester .450-400 . .375 Flanged
.450 Nitro Express .470 Nitro Express . .500 Nitro Express
New Clark Double Rifle Now Shipping
Starting @ $ 5000
Order yours today!
Caliber: .405 Winchester (as pictured)
Barrel Length: 24"
Call toll free
888 458 4126
M-F 8 am - 4 pm CST
Ask for Jim
I suggest the 45-70, lots of rifle choices, componets and load data availabe. You can load from mild to wild.
I have some friends with Marlins in 45-70 and they swear by the Limbsaver brand butt pads.
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I have actually ordered the rifle and ended up going with a .444, reason, not many people have them in this part of the world and I like being a little different. Right now I am trying to get hold of a decent mould and some more cases, I have ordered 50 but I figure I will kill a couple those learning to reload for them. A little different in prices I have found for eg in the states I see them advertised ofr about 55.00 per hundred here they are about 90.00 per 50!
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Try here ? http://www.starlinebrass.com/
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Try here ? http://www.starlinebrass.com/
Thanks Tom I did look there but starline do not make it, Hornady and Remington are the only ones I can find.
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The .444 Marlin was introduced in 1964, about 8 years after the .44 Magnum round. The .45-70 was of course, around, but not a lot of rifles were being chambered for it back then. In the 60's and until well into the 70's, the heaviest slug you could find for the .444 was the 265 Gr. Hornady, and you had to handload it. Now there are slugs up to 300 grains available making it much more useful, as well as powerful.
Brass is still available from places like Midway at a good price. After Marlin chambered the .45-70 in the same gun, sales of the .45-70 took off, and the .444 just sort of remained in limbo. Marlin has always sold enough of them to keep them in the catalog. What really made the .45-70 surpass it was the new high powered ammo from Garrett, and Buffalo Bore. They produce loads up to 500 grains for the .45-70, putting it into .458 Win. Mag. territory ballistically. Bottom line is the only "bad" thing for the .444 Marlin is the resurgence of the .45-70 stole a lot of it's thunder. It is still a hell of a lever action round. I picked up this Marlin .45-70 guide Gun a few years back. It was one of the first ones, and has the ported barrel. It's not too bad to shoot recoil wise, the ports help a lot. A lot of fun ringing the steel plates at the club range at 200 yards. The 405 grain jacketed Remington's really ring them loudly! Bill T.
(http://img326.imageshack.us/img326/8522/marlin4570guidegun7un.jpg)
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Ok. This makes it official. First the .416 Ruger #1 and now this. I do hate you BillT!
FQ13 who is looking for a little green with envy emoticon. ;D ;D ;D
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The .444 Marlin was introduced in 1964, about 8 years after the .44 Magnum round. The .45-70 was of course, around, but not a lot of rifles were being chambered for it back then. In the 60's and until well into the 70's, the heaviest slug you could find for the .444 was the 265 Gr. Hornady, and you had to handload it. Now there are slugs up to 300 grains available making it much more useful, as well as powerful.
Brass is still available from places like Midway at a good price. After Marlin chambered the .45-70 in the same gun, sales of the .45-70 took off, and the .444 just sort of remained in limbo. Marlin has always sold enough of them to keep them in the catalog. What really made the .45-70 surpass it was the new high powered ammo from Garrett, and Buffalo Bore. They produce loads up to 500 grains for the .45-70, putting it into .458 Win. Mag. territory ballistically. Bottom line is the only "bad" thing for the .444 Marlin is the resurgence of the .45-70 stole a lot of it's thunder. It is still a hell of a lever action round. I picked up this Marlin .45-70 guide Gun a few years back. It was one of the first ones, and has the ported barrel. It's not too bad to shoot recoil wise, the ports help a lot. A lot of fun ringing the steel plates at the club range at 200 yards. The 405 grain jacketed Remington's really ring them loudly! Bill T.
Unfortunately midway will not sell to a private person in Oz. However I have placed an order with another company for 250rnds for what works out to be Aus$156.00. Just remains to be seen if it gets here.
I ordered and received 50rnds of brass from a local shop here it was 100.00 for 50!!!!!! :o I know the gunshop and his profit margins are reasonable meaning not over the top, makes you wonder what the importers profit margins are though eh! Gouging bastards! >:(
It will be fun to play with the .444 I like having obscure things, after I still have my kids living at home, will they ever leave home? :o
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Shoulda bought the 45-70 double gun! ;)
Seriously, looking forward to the porn and range reports!
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I like having obscure things, after I still have my kids living at home, will they ever leave home? :o
well you do live in Tasmania
Seriously, looking forward to the porn and range reports!
lol the picks will be a while.... someone needs to get some time to take the picks when the kids and Mrs are not home......
IE lol they don't know ( yet)
PS please don't let them know as apparently someone may have issues getting back home in May...
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Congrats on the purchase. A .444 should definately get a feral hogs undivided attention, as well as the fearsome Tasminian devil (hell, its the next best thing to a six foot rabbit from Brooklyn). ;D Let us know how it goes and the details on the platform you bought. Like you, most of us (not so secretly) want the big boomer even if we have no earthly reason for it. They're just cool. You at least, can go to the Northern Territories and hunt buffalo. Us? All we'll do is ruin good pork or venison (of course, TW and BillT can now do it from 1 kilometer) ;D. Still and all, good on ya.
FQ13