444 Marlin vs. 45-70 Govt

[@ridgerunner3364]

The 444 or the 45/70 is very good medicine for any north american big game including coastal brown bears!

[@HunterSmith641]

I'm 13 and my grandpa gave me a 444 marlin, I use it for hunting deer. Beautiful gun.

[@harrywren561]

Lucky boy !

[@ClementCouture-um1el]

Mine got me a 30-06

[@stephenhair5501]

Cubby stole the show!!! What a beautiful dog and companion. Thanks for sharing Ron. Stay well and God Bless.

[@matthewf2066]

i think its covey. like a group of quail. but yes coolest looking dog and so mellow

[@jodypotosky522]

Beautiful dog, anybody know the breed?

[@troy9477]

I was wondering that myself. Is he part Dalmation? Mixed with German Shorthair maybe? Inquiring viewers would like to know. Looks like a great dog. Certainly very well behaved

[@brainmeier3433]

Cubby sure did but that leaves me asking if cubby has an onlyfans? 😉

[@kenstygles6854]

It's covey

[@mcburcke]

That has got to be the best-behaved, sweetest doggie I've ever seen. Beautiful, too! As for the cartridges, I'm working on a matching set of 444 lever gun and a 444 BFR from Magnum Research...deer and hogs, be afraid; very afraid soon.

[@dundonrl]

My combo (lever gun and revolver) is a Big Horn Armory Model 89 and S&W 500 Magnum, both of course in 500 S&W Magnum.

[@prmcclintock]

My puppy would eat those bullets for sure.

[@steveg1667]

Well he was talking lever action rounds if he would of talked the difference between the 12,16,20 gauge for upland bird hunt then I'm guessing the dog would be putting the shotguns in the gun cases and bringing them out to the truck to hit the fields.

[@ericfrontczak8016]

He'll with the dog rons hat

[@JeffreyCotle]

Ron, if you don't want your doggie. My wife and I will take em in. Lol

[@TheTurbineEngineer]

I didn't hear a single word you said... that dog is super cute.

[@vanislandsteve]

My respect for you increased immensely by the love you show for your dog. 👍🏻🇨🇦

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thanks vanisland. Hard to not love Covey.

[@JeffreyCotle]

I agree with. You gotta be kind to your family. Especially the doggie. Even God says so. I know we love our 3.

[@Mike-xh9kn]

Your beautiful dog distracted me throughout the video,what kind is he??

[@williamlee8248]

​@JeffreyCotle when does god say anything about dogs in that manner?

[@timeverett7828]

Need a show on 450 Marlin... love that too!

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Covey is a beautiful puppy and she loves her papa. Thank you Ron.

[@micksmith7140]

444 was one of my very favorite rounds from 40 years ago, glad to see it gaining momentum again.

[@TexanUSMC8089]

I don't think it's gaining any momentum. There are new rifles chambered in 45-70, but not 444.

[@guaporeturns9472]

Liked mine ok , but I like my 45-70 better. More heavy bullet options. Sold my 444 and still have my 45-70.

[@garyteague4480]

I have a 444 I bought years ago mine was made in 1976

[@russellkeeling4387]

@@TexanUSMC8089 The r5-70 should have been allowed to die when its time came.

[@smartacus88]

​@@TexanUSMC8089Ruger is in the process of releasing the revamped 336 in 444 Marlin. CVA makes a really nice single shot called the Scout, chambered in 444 Marlin as well as 35 Whelen. Both fine old cartridges.

[@theworkshopmechanicchannel3296]

It’s about time someone showed some love for the Marlin 444 I dispatched my first pig with mine the other week.

[@JeffreyCotle]

444 is an awesome round

[@gmarie701]

Was wondering why Hillary hasn't been in the news lately. 😀

[@m444ss]

I always thought the 444 should get more love

[@HunterSmith641]

Yes

[@paulrector5964]

Thank you for this video. I wanted to get a 45-70 but couldn't find one and settled for the 444 marlin and am glad I did. Now I have the 1895CB 45-70 also and love them both. Long live the Lever Gun

[@darrendurr3286]

I wanted a 444 but ended up with a Guide gun when I found one in stainless. Many years ago

[@bullgravy6906]

“Settled” haha. There is no settling for marlins, just winning other ways

[@texasjasper]

1886 Browning modern repro in 45-70 loaded with 500 grain hard cast lead flat nose is a beast when hand loaded. Kills um all and it’s so fun to shoot too.

[@slickrick809]

Covey seems very well versed in ballistics. Good to see the classics getting some love.

[@williambehrend5452]

The 44 mag is loaded in the lever evolution ammo with a 225 ftx and they work great!

[@steviegene4006]

You beat me to it!

[@roboman3678]

Love those loads in my ruger super blackhawk 1445 fps from a 7.5 inch barrel

[@jaredstewmelt]

This comment needs more likes - came here to say the same thing!

[@williamdingler7334]

I have the Ruger semi auto with the tubular magazine. I shoot the 225 gr. Flex tip while using a red dot sight. It works great on deer in these So. Ga. woods.

[@WayStedYou]

They work so great that their B.C is worse than their own 200 grain Hornadys own 240 grain XTP is .205 and 200 grain XTP is .170 and the almighty dollar snatcher of the FTX 225? .145!

[@sienega4625]

I ordered an 1895 in 45-70 and received a 444 with a serial number that belongs to a 45-70 according to Marlin / Remington, when I called them about this in 2012. I kept the rifle and cut the barrel, by a gunsmith, to 16". I like the 444 just as much as a 45-70. Great review.

[@peterparsons7141]

My uncle had a dog like that named Snipe (a dignified animal with human intelligence). Back in those days dogs weren’t chained or fenced. Every day around 11:15, Snipe would make the walk from his house, to our house where he would sit on the back porch. A little treat, say hello observe the goings on. When we sat down to lunch back home he would go. Never deviate from his course or his time. People still talk about that dog.

[@Adam-vj4uz]

I've hunted for years with a Marlin model 444P guide gun. I bought it new in 2004. It's one of my favorite rifles. I've taken multiple elk and deer in North Idaho. I never have to look for my game. They drop where there shot 90% of the time.

[@philiph554]

Cool, I have a 444P and a 444S, I hope to use one of them on a cow elk this year in Wyoming

[@JeffreyCotle]

I agree big bores are what I use also. I'm not a long range hunter. Big bore get it done.

[@rayhuggart5214]

Good video. I have a 444 and my buddy has a 45-70. We both like them in the bush. I haven't used my 30 30 very often since I got the 444

[@anthonyrusso3116]

Stunningly beautiful dog!

[@cervus-venator]

Thanks Ron and Covey. I have a single shot H&R Handy Rifle in the Rem 444 and then I have my new Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in 45-70. I enjoy both. It is just a little harder to find the 444 ammo on the shelves locally. I just harvest a boar hog the other evening with the 45-70. It fell where it was standing when I pulled the trigger. That big 45 really did the job. Again, thanks for sharing the information on these two cartridges.

[@nokoolaid]

Handloading is a good idea with the 444 for a couple reasons. One, more performance. Like a lot of factory loads, they underperform stated velocities. The other is economy and also tailoring for accuracy too. Cases usually last 20-25 loadings. It's a shame Hornady discontinued the 265g FP. It worked very well.

[@cervus-venator]

@@nokoolaid Thanks James. Yeah, I need to get the die set and do just that.

[@hunt4life56]

I got a Marlin 444 2 years ago and just got some Leheigh Extreme Penetrators in 250 gr. for hand loading. Sure to be a great round for Northern Idaho for whatever shows up in my scope!

[@andyh3446]

Cubby is awesome! Love that dog! ❤️🤣

[@rowdyparker7330]

Love my 444 Marlin. Really hoping Ruger brings back the original looks to with the rifle. CVA makes a single shot 444.

[@airbornesoldieramerica7125]

Mine is in the H&R.

[@chipsterb4946]

The first Ruger Model 336 is in 30-30 but we can hope…

[@skiphinson8620]

That’s a fantastic dog! I like some .45/70 and other big bore cartridges. I've taken a bunch of deer with my .45/70 single shot running the 300 grain bullet at 2000 FPS average in my hand loads. Mild, easy to shoot loads that put a hammering on deer. Great video

[@shooter-vx7xy]

I've hunted with both in single shot Handi-Rifles. Both are amazing deer rifles for here in Arkansas. I like the 444 simply for the slightly flatter trajectory though. But both hit like a hammer on whitetail.

[@mot0rhe4d40]

I am in your neck of the woods. While I haven't hunted with the 45-70. I have a fair amount of experience and success with the triple 4. Using Marshal of Beartooth Bullets 444 Marlin load data, in a Marlin 336 . There is nothing on the continent safe from that combination lol

[@parkerprutzman4201]

What a beautiful English Setter.

[@JosephReitano-wx7mw]

Love my 444 Marlin that I bought new in early 70's.

[@Grodd70]

Love both, I'd add in the .375 Winchester and the .405 Win. The versatility of the .45/70 is you can load down to cowboy action loads and go all the way up to Buffalo Bore or Garretts or anything in between. That was the problem I saw with the .450 Marlin is that your stuck at a .45/70 hot load ballistics unless you re-load. Long live lever guns

[@coreyrowe2052]

What a beautiful girl! She was so good for the entire video!! What were we talking about again???? 😄😄❤️❤️🐾🐾🐾

[@williamschramm2761]

Thanks for another informative video! I appreciate your hard work and your KNOWLEDGE. I am a big fan of the 45-70. I have read hunting articles of the 45-70 handling Cape Buffalo using Buffalo Bore Ammunition. It is not a long range cartridge , however, within 150 yards it will handle all big game . If I were in Grizzly country, it would be my long rifle of choice. God bless!

[@flyingfalcon8999]

I love how Ron is with his dog.

[@floydmarseeii4007]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention the 45LC along with the 44 mag. I have a Marlin 1894 in 45LC, & a 1895G in 45/70. I really love my lever action Marlins.

[@philburns9049]

My favorite video so far. . . . I've had the .444 about 3 years. The trapdoor about 5. Love both of them.

[@richki.24]

always wanted a 444 Marlin lever gun ever since I started reading Mack Bolan books back in the early 1980s ...

[@laurentlacas]

Lovely doggie and big bore cartridges, it's paradise !

[@shanehebert396]

A while back, some southern states started allowing .444M and .45-70 single shot, exposed hammer, breech loading rifles for "primitive weapons" season for deer. They've since relaxed it a bit to be any .35cal or larger cartridge in a single shot, exposed hammer, breech loading rifle. That was a big reason for the uptick in .444M, .45-70, and .35 Whelen. Since they slow walked the regulations down to .35cal, some folks just stuck with the .444M or .45-70 they already had. My uncle hunts with a .444M and he loves it... even using it during regular season, now, most of the time. His is very accurate with the 265gr LEVERevolutions that you showed in your video and he has taken deer with it at 200yds without hesitation.

[@mot0rhe4d40]

Been partial to the 44s for most of my adult life. Having bullets that will work in 44 specials, 44 magnums and the 444 Marlin. Just always appealed to me. I'm a triple four guy 👍

[@bobjohnson1633]

Ain't. Nothing you can't do with that ONE caliber.

[@brianschumaker5912]

Except as Ron noted, it's actually a 43 caliber. Sorry to crap on your parade! Lol

[@mot0rhe4d40]

@@brianschumaker5912 I am a 20+ year reloader. That isn't new news to me 😆. That is what they are called. So that is how I refer to them. Thanks for the nit picking though.

[@raleighthomas3079]

Great video Ron, love Cubby and the bird scene! Both the .444 and .45/70 are well respected in the woods. I have a pair of Marlin stainless Guide Guns in .45/70, but would love a .444 too!

[@sharkfinnigan]

Also you can buy flex tip lever revolution in .44 mag. Got a few boxes in the safe

[@brucepk631]

got a 450bushy and it is quite magical on deer.... its a called 'thumper' for a reason!!! kicks like a mule but fun!!

[@claiborneeastjr4129]

I have JM Marlin 444 Marlin and a 45-70 JM Marlin Guide Gun, and love both of them! Powerful and accurate and much fun to shoot! They are high quality firearms. I handload both cast and jacketed bullets.

[@dakotahills2.095]

You dog stole the show. Great dog. I like the 45.70. I have one & I love the take down abilities with this round. A good short to medium range cartridge for anything.

[@robertpowell2746]

Yes Ron and now we have the 360 Buckhammer which has been brought out by Remington.

[@davidfornkahl8374]

I have both the 45/70 and .444 Marlin. Marlin lever actions. I hunt mature bucks in Missouri. 100 yds and under are my shots. My favorite is the .444. It kicks harder but darn, does it do a number on deer. I use the Hornady 265 gr. Leverlution ammo.

[@timothyporter5364]

Straight wall cartridges will be legal in Illinois for the 2023 whitetail season. I recently purchased a .444 Marlin in the CVA Scout V2. I have been playing around with it for a couple months. GREAT little rifle: accurate, very good trigger & absolutely bombproof. This is my first “big bore” rifle. I gotta say, I am really liking the .444 Marlin cartridge. It will be MUCH improved from a slug gun.

[@JJ-qy8xu]

Very well said" I can't wait!

[@brentstam9378]

Find all the ammo you possibly can

[@timothyporter5364]

That’s the one thing that I did not enjoy, so much. I found ammo, but it was off Gunbroker-and relatively expensive. I was able to buy 200 rounds of Hornady LEVERevolution. Thankfully my rifle loved them.

[@dumartric9561]

Got a 444 in the CVA Hunter (old version of the scout) and I love it. Using a 300gr Hornady XTP. Very effective on Whitetails.

[@jonfetting905]

How is the accurcy on your 444 marlin in CVa scout

[@xxn0thing]

Immediate thumbs-up for the beautiful pup! And the rest of the content was also great.

[@frankammirati3385]

Your dog is awesome !!! ❤

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

Great co-host!

[@gregchambers6100]

Thanks again Mr Spomer.

[@DymondzTrucking1962]

I have an h&r handi-rifle in 444 Remington she kicks a little hard but she hits hard to. It's an excellent 150 yd deer or hog rifle.

[@shanek6582]

Baby got back! Lol, your title just made me watch that video for the first time in 20 years

[@davemeise2192]

An old friend of mine has been hunting with his 444 Marlin since before the 1980's. He still loves that rifle. It competes very well to the venerable 45-70.

[@stevecurtiss46]

I have had a 444 lever Marlin that is Marlins centenial gun. Later my Mom bought Dad a 45-70 Marlin. Dad had two 1873 trap door Springfeild but they got stolen. One was infantry and one calvery and within 1000 serial numbers.

[@lorenzotelleria1858]

Love your 4 legged best friend Ron!!! Great video too, thanks like always!

[@lorenzotelleria1858]

Covey!

[@chrishill1286]

Love the title Ron you cracked me up! I wanted a big bore, I had a shotgun. So I purchased the rifled barrel for the Mossberg 500 and started experimenting with rounds. Immediately bought the Blackhawk shock absorber stock lol, Put an Aimpoint up top, Found the buckhammers, 1 oz at 1800 fps. Big clover leafs at 100 yds. Makes large entry exits inside 100 yards for deer and elk. Beast!

[@avidsledder]

Once again Ron, you explain everything I needed to know so so well and in such a great way. Thanks my friend. You’re a credit to the entire industry

[@jamshednarielwala4797]

Oh Covey what a darling .😘😘😘. More of her in your videos please Ron.👍👍👍

[@nataliedeyton6829]

.444 get NO love compared to 45/70 but I love it and have for years

[@StarSurfer55]

Thanks Ron, I just came into a 444 marlin in a Marlin lever action. Nice gun. BTW, covey is a great dog. I love hunting breeds which is why we have two beagles.

[@catyear75]

Best title for an episode. - Ever !!!

[@c-dub1189]

444 stole my heart a few years back

[@michaelbaker488]

hornady has a flex tip for the 44mag, in there leverevoluution 225gr, 1410 fpc at the muzzle,, great show. I enjoy watching you show. I learn a lot,

[@USAACbrat]

We have a pair of .44 Mag, Marlin 1895's for guest hunters, only 1 shot kills.

[@THECRAZYMADGUY1987]

I like both 45-70 & 444

[@danbasham9207]

Thanks!

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thank you! And Covey thanks you too.

[@roneuler5913]

Hi Ron, Took a Nice Cinnamon Black Bear with my 444 in Minnesota few years back . Avid reloader since the 60s so that helps feed em . Absolutely Beautiful English Setter you have . She’s obviously the boss . Lol

[@frdluvr51]

I've been using a .45/70 in a contender pistol for over 40 years...with a mussel brake and rubber pachmire grip, the recoil was about the same as in a 6 inch .44 mag revolver with wood grips...I hand loaded 350 gr sierra hollow point to just below excess recoil...load was within J D Jones' loading data....and with a 7mm jdj I have taken 3 antelope (1 a 365 yrds) and 6 corsican sheep at Y-O ranch (1 at over 350 yrds) I like all your stuff on big bores!!!!

[@davidfornkahl8374]

Ron, you put out the best videos. I love your dog when he makes an appearance.

[@kentevans4218]

That's a sweet pup! Guns and Dogs.....go together like apples in pie!! I do like the big bores as well.... but then again, I like em all!! 😏

[@sharkfinnigan]

We love your channel down here in Texas.

[@cracky_wainwright]

What a beautiful dog! I'm not even a dog person, yet I couldn't help but comment on your handsome friend there. Excellent information and video.

[@jeffyoung632]

You have great insight on cartridges. I always enjoy your videos. Great Job

[@Gustav041106]

Thanks Ron you are absolutely the best and your sweet dog just tops it off. Thank you sir your knowledge of firearms and cartridges is unsurpassed.

[@gunsrulecommiesdrool]

For straight wall stâtes either 444 or 45/70 . I have 45/70 but I'd love a. 444 too

[@BigRooster616]

I'm a 44 mag Man and a 30/30 Fan . With all this new straight wall cartridge laws for hunting. The New 360 Hammer looks very promising for a 200 yard hunting cartridge. And HRA has already built a Lever action side gate Rifle for this Cartridge !

[@jeremysmith3522]

I just bought a CVA Scout single shot that is chambered in .444 Marlin. You have a beautiful and super well behaved dog. 😁👍👍

[@jeremyfrix522]

Love the beautiful co-host and the 444 marlin ain’t too bad either !

[@404nitro]

The popularity of the 45/70 is because there are rifles now that will handle the rounded loaded to its full potential, and that is NOT with the lighter weight bullets. Load some 400-500 gr bullets and it is a much better hammer than the 444, even when it is loaded with heavier 300-325 gr pills (that is, if your rifles will stabilize them). Up close with heavy bullets, the 45/70 is just a better round. More weight, more frontal diameter and more energy/momentum.

[@joshuamccasland8180]

There are Hornady 225 gr. FTX projectiles available for the 44 mag. The data shows Lil’ Gun powder @1750 FPS.

[@allanboyer2769]

Good information, thanks Ron.

[@BuildALotAcres]

LOL. The birds and close up shots of Cubby were beautifully done!!!

[@avalonjustin]

Not hard to tell your awesome doggie loves ya!😊🐶

[@markhall6715]

Love my 444 !! And if you hand load ! It can safely be push quite a bit faster out of a good 336 !! Great video!! Thanks !

[@medbill]

Nice job and big fan! Keep up the great work.

[@user-cs1ne8gx9u]

Handloaders really like the gov and the mag because they're easy to hotrod in a sturdy platform and still affordable. Great work as usual, love to see some pistol cartridges gone over.

[@tomdonaghy8625]

I had and applied both a Ruger 44 Mag with and loads, and a 444 marlin with handloads, both were 265 Hornady flat faced bullets. I had 1550 fps MV from the Ruger and 2150 Fps from the marlin. I was hunting deer in bush. Both came up quick and zero'd quick. The marlin had a 2.5 scope, the Ruger was open sights, the range was less than 100 yd. Results: Both did not achieve instant kills. Both worked well, the Ruger 44 was brilliant for a hunter especially within 80 yds. Loved that little carbine. But the 444 was overkill for deer. and suffered from range issues. I sold both. This is my first hand experience, I love deer hunting. I went back to my 270.

[@arthurshingler2025]

Nice having the brass available too. I reform them for 06 sized rim case.... to use for my 356. 375 JDJ too.

[@charlierich9840]

Some rifles are chambered for the 44 mag? You only mention winchester 92. Lots of rifles have been.

[@GGGarrison]

I was just thinking of buying a 44mag single shot. Glad I saw this. I already have plenty of rifles that will kill a deer at 100 yds.

[@robertezell1916]

Hornady does make the .44mag in flex tip Ron.

[@jeffreygraf3358]

They do make an FTX bullet for the 44 magnum. It is 225 grns. I killed 2 deer with it this last hunting season in Wisconsin.

[@michaelsurratt9593]

It’s About Time that you were supervised!!! Very beautiful dog.

[@bigbore4498]

For anyone who reloads and hunts with their 444. Have you all tried loading it with 300gr Sierra FP’s? I found the 265gr FTX to be plenty accurate but they destroy a LOT of meat. If you haven’t, you should give them a go. The trick is to either buy LeverEvolution brass, or trim your brass to LeverEvolution length. If you crimp the 300’s at the cannelure with full length brass, your OAL will be too long. Trimming to LeverEvolution length solves this problem without reducing case capacity. My go to powder is H-4198 near but not at max. In my 1970’s 444S this combo produces true cloverleaf’s at 100 yards. And it is an absolute show stopper on big (300+ lb) hogs. And destroys very little meat on deer.

[@richardmoorer2668]

Yes. I have loaded Sierra 300 gr FP Sports Master bullets , trimmed the cases .050. I forget the charge of H 4198, 44.5- 45.0 gr probably. Shot 2 ,1 gallon water jugs 100 yds. Devastating, bullet held together mushroomed well. Hornady 265 fp works great in the Marlin 1894 .44 mag. Win 296, 22.0 gr very accurate

[@johnsheetz6639]

Well I'm going to like and watch this whole video because I like the title . Good play my friend. Those big bores are perfect for big boars in my old neck of the woods.

[@sorshiaemms5959]

THE 444 gets my vote the trajectory is a little flatter easier to adjust for and haveing taken a moose with a 444 265 gr flat nose well it does the job good

[@chriskincaid6035]

Thank You ...

[@philiph554]

Great overview of one of my favorite cartridges, the 444. I have hand loaded the 300gr XTP bullet in mine, needless to say it is a deer hammer.

[@IRishbuck58]

I love my cva scout in 444 marlin it’s accurate and i have drop a lot of deer with it. The 20 inch barrel is a very moveable in the blind or climbing stand the only draw back is ammo is pricey

[@warneckefarm6812]

I use my 45 70 every yeardeer dont run far after that 300 hollow point,, the guides in Africa use 45 70 because the cartridges go all the way up tp 950 980 grains