.45-70 vs .444 Marlin: Big-Bore Lever Gun Showdown
May 27, 2026 · AmmoBin.com
.45-70 Government and .444 Marlin are the two classic big-bore lever cartridges — heavy hitters for woods hunting and bear country. Here's how they differ.
Bullet weight and trajectory
.45-70 throws huge, heavy (300–405gr+) .458 bullets with massive frontal area — devastating up close, with a rainbow trajectory unless loaded hot. .444 Marlin uses lighter .429 bullets at higher velocity for a slightly flatter path and a bit more reach.
Recoil and use
Both kick hard; full-power .45-70 in a light lever gun is stout. .45-70 has far more load variety (from mild cowboy to dangerous-game hot-rod) and is the more popular, more available choice — including for bear defense.
Pick .45-70 for versatility, availability, and the heaviest bullets; .444 for a touch more velocity. Compare live prices for .45-70 and .444 Marlin.
Frequently asked questions
Is .45-70 or .444 Marlin better for bear?
Both are capable; .45-70 is more popular with far more load options (including heavy hard-cast) and wider availability, making it the common big-bore bear-country choice.
Which has more recoil?
Both recoil hard. Full-power .45-70 with heavy bullets generally produces the stoutest kick, though loads vary widely.
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