The 444 or 45/70 has more knock down power though, correct? Is that flat & fast stiill better than a nasty punch on the end? Keep in mind that shot placement is always spot on
Since most of my hunting falls in the 125yd or less range the 45-70 has seen all the deer hunting action from me for the past two years since I have gotten it. It all depends on your situation if you want a little more distance then go for the .35. I personally like to hunt up close.
When the .35 Whelen was developed, it was designed to take on Large American Game. The Winchester .375 H&H Mag was not in production and the long Mauser actions available from Germany were very expensive. The shorter ctg was just right for the 1903 action and the problem of an inexpensive Big Bear rifle was solved. The .35 Whelen is much more powerful that a .444 marlin and at longer ranges outclasses the .45-70.
35 can sling a Nosler 225 grain accubond bullet over 2800fps. The specs on the box say zero at 100yrds is 1.9" high 200. 444 can't touch that.. So much for primitive weapon huh?
depends on rifle you shooting it out of...hard to compare a 35 whelen out of an encore with a short barreled 35 whelen handi rifle
I've been disasppointed in my 444 Marlin Handi...well documented on other threads
Next years primative weapon will be a Encore Prohunter in 35 Whelen with a barrel of sufficient length...I'm not sold on these short barreled Handi's any more
The 35 Whelen was the poor mans 375 H&H way back in the day...its a bad boy...but you still gotta have enough pipe to get velosity out of it
444 marlin might be fine out of something like a guide gun...but that aint no single shot primative weapon is it
i know its off topic but i might play around a little with a 405 win barrel and see what i can come up with. but idk. im getting to were i dont like the 35 because everyone has one lol i know i know
Killed a nice 7 pt this morning with my 444 handi-rifle. Ranged at 187 yards. Went all of 30 yds. Not bad free hand out of a lean-to stand. Like them Hornady leverevolutions.
Well on 12-11-10 at 4pm,i got to baptize my H&R 35 Whelen.At 170 yards it put some big bacon in the freezer,1 shot, high and back in the neck.Dropped so fast I thought I had missed,never made a step.
Now I am looking for a barrel for my Savage bolt action,in the same caliber,just a awesome round.
35 can sling a Nosler 225 grain accubond bullet over 2800fps. The specs on the box say zero at 100yrds is 1.9" high 200. 444 can't touch that.. So much for primitive weapon huh?
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