.444 vs. .45-70 reloading question

kmittleman · Post by **kmittleman** » Wed May 28, 2008 12:17 pm

Hi All,

I wanted to see if yall had any opinions on which of these two would be better in terms of reloading. I'm mainly thinking about which would be cheaper.

Thanks in advance!!

-Kevin

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed May 28, 2008 12:56 pm

Depends on what deals you come across on components and what you want to shoot in the way of bullets. Either one can run the range in expenses.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Wed May 28, 2008 3:47 pm

For me the .444 would be the cheaper of the two, but that's only because I already have 4 .44 magnums in our house and cast .44 bullets for them. If you were starting from scratch I doubt there would be any difference.
But then what else would use a .458 bullet as in the .45-70? It's not like you could switch from .45 colt to .45-70. I'm thinking out loud... it might be an apples and oranges kind of comparison.
On the other hand I don't thing and I know this has been gone over before, but on the top end I don't think the .444 is capable of the power a .45-70 is. You'd have to look long and hard to find anything over ( I think) 420 grains in a .44.

Jayhawker · Post by **Jayhawker** » Wed May 28, 2008 3:51 pm

On average, for bullets of equal construction, since the 45-70 throws a heavier bullet, those will tend to cost more. Just more material per bullet.

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Wed May 28, 2008 4:04 pm

Brass is the same. Bullets will be a little more, but not enough to make a difference, and the ability to shoot a wider heavier range of bullets and better availability of factory loads and components gives the 45-70 the edge.

rock-steady · Post by **rock-steady** » Wed May 28, 2008 4:04 pm

You'll need a loading tray made for the big old honking rim of the 45/70.

The 444 is slightly more economical IMO, because the components are smaller than the 45/70. i.e. less brass, copper and powder......

Post by **Hobie** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:05 pm

rock-steady wrote:You'll need a loading tray made for the big old honking rim of the 45/70. The 444 is slightly more economical IMO, because the components are smaller than the 45/70. i.e. less brass, copper and powder......

In general terms that would be correct.

rimrock · Post by **rimrock** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:52 pm

The actual difference in dollars spent most likely will be too minimal to make a decision. You need a better excuse for picking one or the other. Simple, just get both!

Montanan · Post by **Montanan** » Thu May 29, 2008 9:27 am

rock-steady wrote:You'll need a loading tray made for the big old honking rim of the 45/70. The 444 is slightly more economical IMO, because the components are smaller than the 45/70. i.e. less brass, copper and powder......

45-70 loading tray you can find in the shotgun loading section - I use a 20 ga tray, as they did not have one for a 410 ga at the time. I has worked real well keeping the cases upright and steady.

444 Marlin cases are not ready available in most reloading departments unless they are ordering from Midway etc to keep their stock up. The 45-70 Govt case is available in 99% of all reloading depts that stock brass.

If you already have the empties then you have to figure your own trade off... I for one will stick with the 45-70 even though I reload the 444 Marlin for my brother in-law who wishes he had purchased the 45-70 XLR instead of the 444 Marlin XLR.

And most of all, I have yet to be able to reload these two heavy weight .459 dia, 510 gr and 525-gr bullets in a 444 Marlin