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.44 or .45-70?

Dustinb80

Dustinb80

#FACKCANCER
Supporting Member
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S.W. Ohio
Ive always wanted a lever action rifle like they had in the old west. Ive subtly dropped hints to the wife, by sending her a link and telling her what I want LOL. A catalog came to the house the other day from Henry. Looking through it I dog eared 2 pages. What are your guys thoughts on caliber?
 
I like the 44 set up...
It leaves room for a nice Ruger wheel gun later for another type of hunting.
2 guns, 1 ammo. :smiley_cowboy:
 
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I agree with Jim if set on those two calibers. I seriously was looking at the Henry and Marlin in the .44

But I think I’m moving away from the lever gun and going with the bolt action Ruger American in .450
 
"J" said:
I agree with Jim if set on those two calibers. I seriously was looking at the Henry and Marlin in the .44

But I think I’m moving away from the lever gun and going with the bolt action Ruger American in .450
Click to expand...

My son just bought a Ruger American 450. I'm anxious to see it in action. Fits me well so I may get one myself if it shoots good.
 
That’s what Maddy killed that doe with and little Heater with that buck. I don’t see a problem with the 44 at all. Very low recoil, accurate little shooter. Still something you can plink around all day as well. People have carried them for years for bear protection.
 
The 44 mag is a great deer caliber. Took 22 with a 44 Mag handgun and several with a 44 Mag rifle.
I would pass on the Henry though.
45-70 rifle is better caliber.
The 460 S&W rifle is even better of the three.
The 450 Bushmaster in the Ruger is right there with the 460 S&W.

If I had no rifle I would go with the Ruger 450 Bushmaster.

All these calibers are limited in their ranges due to the velocity but all are good 150-200 plus yards rifles in the hand of the experienced.
 
Dustinb80 said:
Are the S&W and the Ruger lever action? If not Henry, then which brand? Winchester?
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My 460 S&W is a TC Encore single shot.
The Ruger 450 BM is a bolt action.

Marlin still makes the 44 mag, 444 marlin and 45-70 lever action. All the bad press on the new Marlins I feel is internet BS for the most part. Remington owns Marlin and I can't see them sending out knowing bad rifles. IMHO
Older Marlins are available on the used market.

Or since you have a AR you may go with the 450 BM AR upper.

450 Bushmaster new upper with magazine on Gunbroker is $600. Since non gun can ship directly to your house.
 
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What ever caliber you decide to get I have all the reloading equipment to load it with. All you need is components and maybe a set of dies if you got with the 450 BM.
 
I contemplated the 44 vs 45-70 question earlier this year when I was looking at lever guns. I ended up going with the 44 and couldn’t be a happier. I went with 44 for a couple reasons. 1.) Everything I read suggested that 44 mag was plenty of gun for deer within the range that I expected to be hunting (no more than 100 yds typically). 2.) Ammo is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper and more widely available. 3.) Wouldn’t mind getting a revolver in the same caliber someday [emoji41]. I ended up going with the Marlin over the Henry cuz the Henry is just too damn pretty to be carrying around the woods lol. I wanted more of a utility gun than an heirloom type piece(just my preference). I read all the bad stuff about the newer Marlins but came to the conclusion that those issues have largely been resolved. All this to say that I couldn’t be happier with my choice and it proved itself to be a worthy gun this year during deer season when I took a coyote and a doe on opening day. Watched them both drop in sight, no tracking needed. Shot the doe at right around 75 yards. Good luck with whatever you decide to go with!
 
Dustin let me know if you want to come over and shoot a Marlin 45-70, Encore 460 S&W or my Ruger 44 mag auto rifle.
 
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