.44 mag vs .45-70

[Redthies]

Good day gents. I’m considering parting ways with my .45-70 Marlin and replacing it with a Henry (of course!) Big Boy CCH in .44 mag. My only question is to those that own both caliber in lever guns... Is there noticeably less recoil out of the .44? I have managed to really screw up my rotator cuff on my right shoulder, and have to be careful with how much I beat it up. I rarely shot the .45-70 before I hurt myself, and find it unlikely it will get any extra use now that I’m sensitive to recoil. I’ve been shooting Federal 300 grain and Hornady 325 grain rounds. My .44 mag experience is only in my Ruger Carbine, shooting 225 grain Hornady and 180 grain Remington rounds. I see a Hornady does a 300 grain SJHP round in .44 too.

Thoughts? Pics of the two:

[tractortad]

We shoot Federal 240g JHP our of our Henry 44Mag rifles and we shoot Winchester 300g JHP out of our Marlin 1895's. The 1895 Marlins kick harder than the 44Mag Henry's - especially the little Marlin 1895CBA - that thing really kicks. I think you will find the recoil on a 7.84lb Henry 44Mag CCH to be less than your 7lb 1895GS Marlin, but not by a whole lot. Henry 44Mag rifles do their best with 240g bullets - you should try shooting some 240g out of a 44Mag rifle to see for yourself, if possible. Are you sure you want to give up on that Marlin? - you can also shoot some lower power cowboy 45-70 to get the recoil down. 45-70 is a very versatile cartridge....

[North Country Gal]

Have owned quite a few lever guns in both cartridges. For me, the 45-70 with those 300 or 325 grain loads always kicks harder than a 44 Mag with standard 240 grain loads, but I still wouldn't rate the 44 mag in a lever gun as soft shooter. There will be recoil to deal with.

One option you might want to consider is a 45 Colt in a lever gun. Standard 45 Colt loads are soft to shoot in a lever gun, noticeably easier on the shoulder than the 44 mag. When you need more power, though, plenty of 45 Colt loads that will get you up into 44 mag country.

[Blklasy]

Something like this under your shirt...shoot all day.
Adds about 1/4" LOP.
I have a Big Boy 44 with no recoil pad and is quite tolorable.
That colored case 44 is a beautiful rifle. I just bought one in 45-70 that I just Love.

[Redthies]

Are you sure you want to give up on that Marlin? - you can also shoot some lower power cowboy 45-70 to get the recoil down. 45-70 is a very versatile cartridge....

That’s just it. I’m not sure I do want to get rid of it. That said, the CCH Henry is a damn nice gun too. I figured the weight of the octagon barrel would offset some kick. I’ll have a look around for light loads for the .45-70 too.

[Flinch]

A Henry CCH is on my wish list. If you want to try some lighter recoil 45-70 reloads, pick up some 300g or 350g lead bullets and work up some light loads with fast pistol powders for punching paper. I shoot 300g and 350g lead bullets I buy from Laser Cast in my 1888 Trapdoor. Here is a great resource for load development. http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

[JEBar]

we own and shoot both a BBS 44 Mag and CCH 4570 .... there most certainly is a substantial difference in recoil .... I've had surgery on both shoulders .... left shoulder for chronic dislocations and right shoulder for rotator cuff and bone spurs .... we've spent almost more money on aftermarket mods/upgrades to our 45-70 to lessen recoil than it cost us to start with .... I still can't handle shooting many full power rounds from a benchrest .... consequently, I'm working on coming up with a Cowboy Action level load .... I can, have, and often do fire 100 or more full power 240 gr hunting loads from a benchrest without any recoil related issues

[BigAl52]

Redthies
350 grain Berrys and 16 grain of Universal Clays works good for me. Very mild load. I have one of those strap on recoil pads in my basement I think if you want it let me know I can send it to you no charge.

[Ojaileveraction]

I have a 1895CB and love to shoot it low and slow.
Low pressure and slow muzzle velocity.
350g to 405g shoot best in my Marlin.
-1300fps and can hit targets out to 500 meters using a rest.

[220]

I had both and couldnt find anything the 44mag did better than the 45/70 hence I no longer have a 44.
If you reload the 45/70 can be down loaded to 44mag levels if not then cowboy loads are the best option.