Lever action Rifle .44 mag or 45-70?

I am really looking at a lever action. I can sure use some input. I am used to .44 mag but the 45-70 is also calling me. I cannot purchase both.
Any if you have an opinion?

I got my Henry 44 mainly because it mated so well with my SBH.

Personally I would get the .44 but just because. Couple months ago my nephew got the Henry .44 and he loves it. That's all I got. Either way it's a win for you.

I have Marlins, Uberties both single and levers in 45 Colt. 44-40, 357, 44 Mag, 30-30 and 45-70s.
All are great. If you reload and only can get one rifle I would go for the 45-70.
The reason is you can download the 45-70 to 44 mag but you can not upload the 44 mag to 45-70. The 45-70 downloaded to 10 Grs. of Unique and a 300Gr. LRNFP is very accurate to100+ yards and a blast to shoot.

Levers

I don't buy anything firearm that I don't have, make or can afford ammo for. Simple. I like almost anything firearm that doesn't bust my aged shoulders...

I bet you have a revolver in .44 mag, but not 45-70. And what the Chief said above.

I have both. The 44 is a lot more fun.

Go over to singleactions.com; they'll tell you to buy both.

The .44 Magnum is the descendent of .44-40 lever actions, short, handy and rapid shooting with moderate recoil. On the other hand, the .45-70 is associated with the trap door Springfield single shot rifle and carbine. Lever action rifles/carbines excel with the short revolver length cartridges. The .45-70 was a late comer in lever action rifles.



Bob Wright

The 44 mag is perfectly adequate for most things you might want a lever gun for. Unless you are toodling around Grizzly/Polar bear territory then the 45/70 would be the schizz.

Go with 45 colt and then load them to Plus P. Amazing and super fun

The choice was between .44 Magnum and .45-70.

Bob Wright said:

The .44 Magnum is the descendent of .44-40 lever actions, short, handy and rapid shooting with moderate recoil..............................



Bob Wright

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Let me clarify my statement lest there be any misunderstanding.
The .44 Magnum CARTRIDGE is no descendent of the .44-40 cartridge, having a different lineage. The .44 Magnum does share lineage with the .44 Henry, .44 S&W American, .44 S&W Russian, and .44 Special.

My intent was that the RIFLE/CARBINE concept bore a heritage with the short, slab sided tubular magazine arms of the day. Lever action rifles of the day capable of handling the .45-70 required some changes in design. That's what I tried to impart.

Bob Wright

Depends on use. The 44 Mag is a short-range cartridge for medium game (deer-sized, up to 100 yards or so). The 45-70 is for longer range and bigger game. I REGULARLY hit a life-sized blacktail target at 500 yards with my 45-70 Sharps repro (about 7 or 8 out of ten). Close-in Eastern deer hunting: go for the 44 Mag. Western elk hunting or eastern moose hunting: go for the 45-70. Fun plinking: go for the 44; long range plinking: 45-70.

I have a Marlin in each. I shoot the 45-70 occasionally- it's a serious rifle. The .44 I shoot all the time- and loaded with Specials it's just plain fun! I also have several .44 revolvers. Never had an inclination to purchase a 45-70 revolver.

If you don't reload- the answer is even simpler. .44 all day long. They're mighty proud of 45-70 ammo…

.44 Magnum, hands down.

.45-70 is overkill for anything where I live, on both ends of the rifle.

Bob Wright said:

The .44 Magnum is the descendent of .44-40 lever actions, short, handy and rapid shooting with moderate recoil. On the other hand, the .45-70 is associated with the trap door Springfield single shot rifle and carbine. Lever action rifles/carbines excel with the short revolver length cartridges. The .45-70 was a late comer in lever action rifles.



Bob Wright

Click to expand...

My father in law has a Trapdoor Springfield wall hanger. Pretty decent shape but no longer shootable due to a crack in the barrel about midway forward of the trapdoor.
They were MEN back in the day to haul that into battle

If capacity matters, you'll probably get more with the .44 mag.

My Dad told me of seeing Militia troops and Spanish American War veterans marching in Nashville armed with the M1873 Rifles. This when the Regular Army was arming with the M1903 Springfield Rifle.

Bob Wright

Why wouldn't a 41dude get a Henry .41 mag lever action?