45/70 or 444 handi rifle?

Question

I'm looking for a cheap rifle to hunt hogs with?

Answer 1

Don't get too cheap; your life does have some value. Either the 45/70 or 444 will do a good job but don't overlook a nice short barrel 12 gauge double. You can get them fairly low cost but you double your chances.

Answer 2

Go with the 444, but either way you go, you wont have to hand load anything. Marlin worked with Hornady a while back and came up with the new Lever ammo for lever actions using the rounds your looking at. They increase you rifles abilities ten fold. You can get them from Cabelas, Basspro, Gander Mountain or any sporting goods store worth going to. Infact, I saw that Wal-Mart is starting to stock them now. There is about seven different loads for either from Hornady designed for every hunting area.

Get the 444, you wont be disappointed at all. Marlin is an excellent rifle to use aswell!

Good Luck & Happy Shooting !!!!

**** looks like fuz is correct ! I wasnt aware that H&R had 444 calibers as an option now. I only assumed you would be looking at the Marlin they were designed for. With this being the case, I would say the 45/70 would be the best bet. The 444 Marlin was mainly a design for the new lever action rifles. Not that it wont work in the H&R, I have no reports to go by good or bad for it yet !

Answer 3

What are you hunting and whats the rifle?444 a good round, but in the right rifle, with proper handloads for it, the 45/70 open a can of whoopass.Good rifle, gets closer to a 458 win mag than the 444.Big bear, I'd pick the 45/70 over the 44 any day. That's my story. and I'm sticking to it.

Answer 4

444 Handi Rifle

Answer 5

I have no input on the 444 since I've never touched one, but I use to have a Marlin lever in 45/70. The 300 grain bullets will not hurt you. The 500 grain bullets will rock your world. The rifle doesn't weigh much so it won't absorb the recoil for you. Just be prepared for a lot of recoil and push if you choose the 45/70 and use heavier bullets. But, of course, it would nail a hog pretty well.

Answer 6

Looks like most of the posters missed the point of your question.

The H&R Handi Rifle is a good value for the money. I have handled, but not shot, the 45/70 rifle. Nice but it is light, which means an increase in felt recoil. Also, keep in mind that it is a single shot rifle. Its break open action is not conductive to a fast reload and follow-up shot. I have a single shot 22-250 I use for Pairie Dogs. If I miss or wound the dog, I am not too concerned it will turn and attack me. Not sure I'd take the same chance with a wounded, pissed-off, wild hog.

The Handi Rifle sells for about $240 around here. For a couple hundred more, you could probably pick up a used Marlin lever action in either of the two calibers.

Answer 7

As WWD said either will do. For good hunting rounds for the 444 you are either going to have to hand load or try Buffalo Bore or Grizzly ammunition companies. They make hard hitting loads for hogs and such things bigger...

Answer 8

Either will do fine, especially if you handload. The 444 hasn't got the best selection of factory loads, though, and in the past it's occasionally been a problem getting best bullet performance out of it, especially with 240 grain bullets designed for use in revolvers.

Answer 9

The 45-70 is a far more versatile cartridge, and more readily availible