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"Primitive Weapon" 45-70 or .444

Posted on 6/8/11 at 3:32 pm
Posted by snake2985
Member since Jan 2011
334 posts
Posted on 6/8/11 at 3:32 pm
I have been looking at picking up a 45-70 or .444 for primitive rifle season, but wanted some feedback. I saw at Cabala's recently used H&R.444 and 45-70 for $250 and in high quantities. Is there a reason hunters are trying to sell these guns, or should I go ahead and pick one up. Also, which caliber do you prefer and why, most of my shots are between 20 and 80 yards
Posted by jimjackandjose
Member since Jun 2011
6495 posts
Posted on 6/8/11 at 3:36 pm to
444 has better ballistics... look em up.
Posted by Slickback
Deer Stand
Member since Mar 2008
27678 posts
Posted on 6/8/11 at 3:36 pm to
I like the 444, it has better ballistics.

The 45-70 has more energy, but the 444 still has plenty enough. Ammo is a little easier to get for the 45-70 though.

A whole lot of people bought them when they first came out, so you'll see a lot of used ones for sale. Also, MS okay'ed the 35 Whelen, which is superior to both IMO, so some people may be upgrading.
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
24931 posts
Posted on 6/8/11 at 3:37 pm to
quote:

Is there a reason hunters are trying to sell these guns


They kick like a mule.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 6/8/11 at 3:39 pm to
.44 magnum is a good idea if you don't like nasty recoil.

The 45-70 and 444 are not that much different. I like the 45-70 more because of the ammo selection. The 444 has SLIGHTLY better ballistics, but inside of 100 yards you won't notice.


ETA: The H&R handi rifles are very very accurate FWIW
This post was edited on 6/8/11 at 3:40 pm
Posted by BIGTIMETIGER
Franklin Parish
Member since Sep 2010
382 posts
Posted on 6/8/11 at 4:06 pm to
If you're hunting in Miss then definitely get the 35 Whelen! It's the best of all the so called primitive weapon choices we have now. I have a 45-70 and have not had any problems with it but 35 is my favorite. And yes they all kick!!
Posted by CajunFootball
Jackson, Mississippi
Member since Oct 2010
19432 posts
Posted on 6/8/11 at 4:06 pm to
I have the Knight KP1 .45-70 and I love it. Deer don't run to far when they get hit with that mother.
Posted by hehatedrew
New Zealand
Member since Oct 2009
25504 posts
Posted on 6/8/11 at 4:50 pm to
LIke everyone says, if in MS, get a .35 Whelen, or if you have an Encore, just get a barrel. If not, then I don't know. I have only shot the .45-70 out of your two options...
Posted by ColesCreek
SW MS
Member since Apr 2011
378 posts
Posted on 6/8/11 at 5:11 pm to
I've shot them both and I prefer the .444. I believe I paid close to 250 for my new .444 handy rifle a few years ago. Like others have said the 35 Whelen is superior to both the 45-70 and the .444
Posted by thanksjhester
Sonic
Member since Jun 2009
5408 posts
Posted on 6/8/11 at 6:56 pm to
Man up and grab a 500
Posted by Crawdaddy
Slidell. The jewel of Louisiana
Member since Sep 2006
18360 posts
Posted on 6/8/11 at 7:37 pm to
people sell 45-70s because of the kick? Wow
kick is not that bad and it is not like you shoot a 30rd mag from it. Maybe I can find one for a good price from a nancy
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 6/8/11 at 7:39 pm to
quote:

Man up and grab a 500



I know a guy who has a .500 barrel for his encore. He said it's one of his favorite rifles. No way I would wanna sling that chunk outta a pistol.

I don't know if h&r chambers .500 S&W or not
Posted by kengel2
Team Gun
Member since Mar 2004
30666 posts
Posted on 6/8/11 at 9:55 pm to
quote:

I saw at Cabala's recently used H&R.444 and 45-70 for $250 and in high quantities. Is there a reason hunters are trying to sell these guns, or should I go ahead and pick one up.


They sell them cheap, because they are cheap to begin with.
Posted by 178cajun
Member since Mar 2008
477 posts
Posted on 6/9/11 at 7:32 am to
Yes, h&r chambers for the .500 s&w. I had one for about 6 hours and traded it for a .444. The recoil was not nearly as bad as I was told. I just liked the .444's bullistics better.
Posted by bayoudude
Member since Dec 2007
24947 posts
Posted on 6/9/11 at 7:43 am to
quote:

people sell 45-70s because of the kick? Wow


One shot at an animal is OK but shooting bench rest is almost unbearable. The .45-70 kicks like a pissed off mule out of a 6 lb rifle. Kicks hard enough that it loosened my scope rings. I had to use lock tight on the screws to get it to hold on target.
Posted by MapGuy
I was born,I grew older,I'm here
Member since May 2010
37438 posts
Posted on 6/9/11 at 8:10 am to
Do you hunt in La or Ms?
Posted by snake2985
Member since Jan 2011
334 posts
Posted on 6/9/11 at 8:32 am to
I hunt in LA. Any particular trouble areas I should look for in a used gun?
Posted by MapGuy
I was born,I grew older,I'm here
Member since May 2010
37438 posts
Posted on 6/9/11 at 8:36 am to
No..

I hunt in Ms and can use a .35 Whelen. It's a necked up 30-06 and has some crazy ballistics.

I can't shoot it in La though.
Posted by Slickback
Deer Stand
Member since Mar 2008
27678 posts
Posted on 6/9/11 at 8:47 am to
quote:

people sell 45-70s because of the kick?
quote:

people sell 45-70s because of the kick?


I think the main reason people see so many for sale is because they sold so many over the past few years. There are a whole lot of them out there. The H&R handi rifle had to be the most sold firearm over the past few years.

When they were legalized, they were the hot item. Everyone rushed out and bought one. Now they realize it is only used about 2 hunts a year. If people need a little extra cash, this is usually the most expendable firearm.
Posted by REB BEER
Laffy Yet
Member since Dec 2010
16164 posts
Posted on 6/9/11 at 9:13 am to
The ones you are seeing for $250, do they have a scope or not?
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