45-70 Lever Gun

The Stalking Show - 11th to 12th April 2026 - Staffordshire County Showground
This is an itch I have yet to scratch, I was poised to get a win mod 94 in 450 marlin but bought a 30/30 instead. I still have that itch though.
I saw someone with a henry break barrel in 45/70, not my cup of tea but if single shot is your thing...
 
Muir said:
Buy this mold first: The Lyman #457-122. It is a 330 HP which means casting will be a little tedious. It is superbly accurate from every 45-70 I've used it in (single shot, lever and bolt guns) and will hammer large deer flat with moderate loads. ~Muir
Click to expand...
@angusb1 has pointed me in the direction of this thread.

Variation has gone in, plan is to new ruger marlin SBL, cast for target and a soft deer load and full fat load with something jacketed or copper.

I have plenty of 8208 xbr for the full fat loads.

I must admit that a 405 gr load appeals but hard to look past your advice @Muir. What powder would you use with cast?
 
reiver said:
The Marlin .444m is a much nicer rifles to shoot than the 45-70 in my opinion and for boar and deer will do everything the 45-70 will with a flatter trajectory.
Mine is doing 2300 fps with 265 inter locks .
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That 444 Marlin is a hell of a round, that would be my choice any day over a 45/70.
 
Didn’t like the Triple 4. Bullets designed for pistols at 2400 were inconsistent and unpredictable! Went with an impressive crack, but way too much muzzle blast, but then I hate the .22-250 for the same reason!

Wholly underwhelming! lol
 
simgre said:
Didn’t like the Triple 4. Bullets designed for pistols at 2400 were inconsistent and unpredictable! Went with an impressive crack, but way too much muzzle blast, but then I hate the .22-250 for the same reason!

Wholly underwhelming! lol
Click to expand...
22-250 inconsistent and unpredictable ? LOL
 
No, it was the muzzle blast. .22-250 is great in a rifle until the barrel is burned after 70 rounds!🤣
 
Yes said:
That 444 Marlin is a hell of a round, that would be my choice any day over a 45/70.
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Marlin had one or two fails in 45/70. It's barrel is getting thin up by the threads in that chambering! 444 never let go in the action threads. A bit more steel there👍🏻
 
simgre said:
Didn’t like the Triple 4. Bullets designed for pistols at 2400 were inconsistent and unpredictable! Went with an impressive crack, but way too much muzzle blast, but then I hate the .22-250 for the same reason!

Wholly underwhelming! lol
Click to expand...
There are plenty of proper .444 bullets available such as the Hornady 265 gr flat point that I use . If you used pistol bullets in a 444 and try to drive them at full rifle velocity what do you expect but inconsistency as they were not designed to be shot at those speeds but at a leisurely 1800 fps Hornady even state they shouldn’t be driven faster than that ! 265gr interlocks are doing just over 2300 fps and are very accurate out to 150 mtr . I could push them a bit faster but see no need to use more powder for the extra 100-150 fps
 
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And certain revolver bullets at top end revolver velocities would in a 444 case be most agreeable if it was all one could get.
 
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