Getting A New Boom Stick

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I've found an H&R 45-70 single shot for an amazing price. I'm definitely considering purchasing it. It gonna primarily be used on hogs. Probably go after a deer or to with it also. I like large caliber rifles, what can I say.

[bigbill]

Yup that's a good caliber but why a single shot?

If you hunt alone for hogs are you on the ground or up in a tree stand? If your on the ground do you have backup?

I would prefer a marlin lever action in either 45/70 or in 444 marlin. The 444 marlin has 3,000ft.lbs. @ muzzle and at 50ft will go thru a 3/8" boiler plate steel. It's my weapon of choice for hunting bears in thick brush country.

The difference between the two is about 1,000 ft.lbs. with the power @ range going to the 444. But the 45/70 has a 405gr bullet and the 444 has a 240gr bullet as a standard load. The 444 marlin really shows its stuff when reloaded with the 300gr leadcast bullet. This seems to be favored by most 444 users. But I like the 45/70 too. I would love to see a manufacture use a more powerful modern gun powder and make the 45/70 really shine power wise. This would take a stronger rifle if course.

The 45/70 is a tad too big for deer. You may waste too much meat.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Yup that's a good caliber but why a single shot?If you hunt alone for hogs are you on the ground or up in a tree stand? If your on the ground do you have backup?I would prefer a marlin lever action in either 45/70 or in 444 marlin. The 444 marlin has 3,000ft.lbs. @ muzzle and at 50ft will go thru a 3/8" boiler plate steel. It's my weapon of choice for hunting bears in thick brush country.The difference between the two is about 1,000 ft.lbs. with the power @ range going to the 444. But the 45/70 has a 405gr bullet and the 444 has a 240gr bullet as a standard load. The 444 marlin really shows its stuff when reloaded with the 300gr leadcast bullet. This seems to be favored by most 444 users. But I like the 45/70 too. I would love to see a manufacture use a more powerful modern gun powder and make the 45/70 really shine power wise. This would take a stronger rifle if course.The 45/70 is a tad too big for deer. You may waste too much meat.

For hogs its stalk hunting. I ain't climbing a tree. I prefer my bows over most anything. 9 times out of 10 I got my brother in law with me. He brings his 30-30 as back up. Plus we have our pistols with us too.

It mainly boils down to cost. The single shot is only 250. However after looking at the 444 I'm starting to think I'm just gonna save up for a few months and get one of those. I've never owned a lever action before so I think it would be a nice change. I'm currently torn between the two Marlin lever actions. Dang it. I never would have thought they would cost only a few hundred more than the single shot.

I'm with you on wanting to see a more powerful 45-70. I think it would be awesome.

[bigbill]

The wild west gun guys in Alaska are offering a new designed lever action in s&w 500. It's a shorter barreled guide gun rifle. I would like to see the lever actions upgraded to the older black powder calibers using the modern smokeless gun powders. The 45/90, 45/100, 45/120, 50/90, 50/100 etc just the thought of these in a smokeless powder in a lever action and a long 32" barrel gets me going. I would love to carry one of these when hunting bear. The lever market is unchanged for over 100 years let's face it. The market for o ever actions is at a stand still because nothing new is really being offered.

I can't say enough about my marlin 444. I just purchased some 270gr and 300gr jacketed soft point bullets to reload for it. But the 300gr leadcast bullet in the 444 is suppose to be the hottest thing for it. Bb