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Carbine in 45/70 vs one in .454

zipperzap
Saw this elsewhere - the replies were pretty interesting - we have both and I'm wondering if the replies (if any) would be as informative.

My next rifle will be a short-barrellled rifle/carbine, in either .454 (the 16.5" Puma) or in 45/70 Govt. (the 18.5" Marlin Guide Gun in ss).

Question: for a general field gun, with no particular purpose in mind, what are the strong and weaks point of each gun?

I like the fact that the 45/70 can carry larger bullets, including real hot loads (Garrett, BB, etc.), while the .454 is 'limited' to 300 grains or so (are there any .454 bullets larger than 300 grains available??), but I wonder if I can even handle the recoil of the hot, heavy 45/70 loads. Is the ported barrel of the Puma a negative? Is there a material difference in quality 'tween the two carbines? Thanx for your comments.
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • guntech59
    I'd go with the Marlin just because I'm more familiar with them and the ammo would probably be more widely available.
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  • Nwcid
    I am a 45/70 fan. I know the standard 300-400gr loads are not bad to shoot. It is a big heavy slow kick. Keep in mind a standard 405gr 45/70 rd is only going about 1800fps, you can almost watch it like a golf ball [:D].

    Advantages to the .454 is there are common pistols chamberd in them too. Yes I know there are 45/70 pistols too. I dont know about the .454 rifle but I know in the pistols you can shoot .45 long Colt for cheeper shooting.
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  • tsavo303
    45-70
    light cowboy loads all the way to 500 solids!
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  • wtroper
    454 in a revolver is a "hoss." In a rifle it is very mild -- at least it was in my Browning 78. Not very impressive performance for me. I sold it. The 45-70 is much much more gun.
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  • Sig220_Ruger77
    I tossed around the idea of getting the Puma .454 Casull a while back, but elected to go with the 45/70 instead. The Pumas' are nice rifles, but they don't even compare to the Marlins'. You will find that the 45/70 has a much smoother action and the rifle is built like a "tank". Add in the fact that you can shoot a great deal of different bullet weights as compared to the .454 and I think that it is clear which is the better caliber. However(as mentioned before), I would consider the .454 if I were pairing it with a sidearm in the same caliber.

    Jon
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  • SCorvers
    Maybe if the .454 was offered in the Marlin. Marlin makes a better riffle hands down.
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