I have a question...need opinions

[Davik]

I'm toying with the desire for a large bore hog gun...on the cheap. That limits me to a single shot...CVA, Henry, or the now extinct NEF/ H&R... my choice of caliber is 44 mag, 444 Marlin, or 4570...any of you guys shot any of these? If so, what is the pros and cons of these calibers ? Recoil, effective range, etc.

[westtexducks]

My brother has a single shot NEF with a 16.25" barrel and a 1-4x20 shotgun scope on it. By far the funnest and handiest gun I have ever hunted pigs with.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[Fargus]

Don't rule out the Rossi 92. I have one in 44 and it's a fun gun to shoot. Im comfortable out to 100yds with the iron sights.

[xman59]

Originally Posted by Davik

I'm toying with the desire for a large bore hog gun...on the cheap. That limits me to a single shot...CVA, Henry, or the now extinct NEF/ H&R... my choice of caliber is 44 mag, 444 Marlin, or 4570...any of you guys shot any of these? If so, what is the pros and cons of these calibers ? Recoil, effective range, etc.

the 44 mag is easier to come by and a great deal cheaper on ammo along with being easier to find, you are better off with 300 gr bullets but I would not hesitate to use 240 gr, but check the velocity as there is a lot of difference in manufacturers load velocity.

the 444 is a little bit better as a long range gun (200 yards or farther) than the 45-70, but not a huge difference, it will be the hardest to find ammo for,, but it also cost about the same as the 45-70.

45-70 is a fantastic hog, deer, whatever thumper and a lot of fun to shoot, ammo is easier to come by than the 444, loads can be tailored to fit your needs from about 300 grains and up. to me the 444 has more recoil and I have had all three of them at some time, I like the handiness of a lever action 44 mag the best..

the 44 will have the shortest range and I would call it quits at much over 100 yards on bigger hogs but I have also shoot some steel plats at 200 yards with handgun, and it still hits them plenty hard but bullet performance could suffer a lot at that range,,, if your just looking to kill them it will deliver the payload but recovery could be long...

so for the money the 44 mag will give you more shots and a good effective range if you what to stretch it out,, if recovery is part of the plan, I would go 45-70 any day all day

with a 44 mag you can plink with reduced loads or even 44 special

[jeremy360]

Dont underestimate the knockdown of a slug if you already own a shotgun.

[Leverhunter]

Originally Posted by xman59

the 44 mag is easier to come by and a great deal cheaper on ammo along with being easier to find, you are better off with 300 gr bullets but I would not hesitate to use 240 gr, but check the velocity as there is a lot of difference in manufacturers load velocity.

the 444 is a little bit better as a long range gun (200 yards or farther) than the 45-70, but not a huge difference, it will be the hardest to find ammo for,, but it also cost about the same as the 45-70.

45-70 is a fantastic hog, deer, whatever thumper and a lot of fun to shoot, ammo is easier to come by than the 444, loads can be tailored to fit your needs from about 300 grains and up. to me the 444 has more recoil and I have had all three of them at some time, I like the handiness of a lever action 44 mag the best..

the 44 will have the shortest range and I would call it quits at much over 100 yards on bigger hogs but I have also shoot some steel plats at 200 yards with handgun, and it still hits them plenty hard but bullet performance could suffer a lot at that range,,, if your just looking to kill them it will deliver the payload but recovery could be long...

so for the money the 44 mag will give you more shots and a good effective range if you what to stretch it out,, if recovery is part of the plan, I would go 45-70 any day all day

with a 44 mag you can plink with reduced loads or even 44 special

All this plus that light rifle in 444 or 45-70 is going to be a real thumper on recoil.

[Mike Murphey]

45-70

[Patriot-2000]

I hear you on the oil .. use to have an NEF 45 - 70 good accurate rifle but some serious recoil with hsndloads ..
I now have a CVA 44 Mag .. Much better and mine like heavier bullets .. 300 Great gets 1.5" at 100 yards

[dphillips62]

Of the 3 the 444 is my favorite, recoil is not bad at all. I handload for mine 265gr hornady FP will knock the heck out of a hog out to 200 yards it does damage a lot of meat on shoulder shot especially deer

[hbender1]

Originally Posted by jeremy360

Dont underestimate the knockdown of a slug if you already own a shotgun.

^^^^^^^^
this -and even buckshot if your in a limited range

[banzai]

How cheap is cheap? $600?

Not on your list, but you might consider a .50 Beowulf AR upper if you already a standard AR lower. You can use AR mags, too. Cabela's stocks the ammo at $27 for 20 rounds of 335 grain.

The Beowulf is 300 plus grains at 2000 fps, and it gives you advantage of the semi-auto recoil reduction and fast follow-up shots. Red dots and cheap low power scopes intended for AR's will bolt right on.

It's fun gun to shoot and it will put the hogs down.

[bigjohntex]

45-70. You'll be thrilled with the thump of a big bore on swine!

[Worksalot]

Originally Posted by bigjohntex

45-70. You'll be thrilled with the thump of a big bore on swine!

^^^^ Yes, it’s a whole lot of fun on hogs. Biggest sow I’ve seen yet got a new orifice right in the noggin. Splattered another fatty that was trying to hog all the corn for herself. The buzzards will always appreciate and take full advantage of the end result. I believe in keeping them fed well.

[bwssr]

Slug gun

[TacticalCowboy]

If I was solely looking for a single shot, I’d go NEF 45-70 if I was on a budget. All three will kill. I took a cow elk a couple months ago with a .44 mag lever gun.

[TxAg]

How about a Maverick 88 12 gauge. Under $200

[Davik]

I have slug guns...a savage 220, but have this desire for a large bore rifle that will not break the bank, or my shoulder...dont want or need anything in the AR platform. This would be one step up from a safe queen...a rugged truck type gun that's used occasionally for hogs.

[TacticalCowboy]

Originally Posted by Davik

I have slug guns...a savage 220, but have this desire for a large bore rifle that will not break the bank, or my shoulder...dont want or need anything in the AR platform. This would be one step up from a safe queen...a rugged truck type gun that's used occasionally for hogs.

Good luck finding a “big bore” that is easy on your shoulder. See my thread on mastodon slaughter.

[Johnny44]

444 kills everything. I pile up over 30 deer per year with a 444 , countless hogs, and a couple of gators too. No recoil from the Handi or the CVA. All of them will get the job done. 200-300 yards no problem for the 444. My straight stock Marlins and Winchester 94 Shadow kick hard, never could figure it?

The CVA Scout 44 Mag is sweet and the 444 with muzzle brake, heck of a good deal too.

The 444 can ruin some meat though if you ain’t careful.

[Buckwheat]

I’d say 45-70 or 444. Sold my 70 and now have the 444. I love it. Recoil is t bad and hits like a hammer.


“There's more fun in hunting with the handicap of the bow than there is in hunting with the sureness of the gun.” -Fred Bear-

[bigchiefj]

If you find a 44 Magnum for the right price, it can be hand reamed to 445 Super Magnum for more power.

[Gary Roberson]

I am shooting the Ruger Model 77 44 Mag for lions, bears and hogs. I am shooting with iron sights but toying with the idea of putting a Trijicon RMR on it. I am a fan of the Hornady 240 grain XTP ammo. I have seen it launch some mature black bear off perches as well as hammer 200+ pound hogs.
With the longer barrel of the rifle (18.5"), this caliber is a different animal than it is in my Super Blackhawk.
Adios,
Gary

[Fmjag64]

45-70 flat knocked a hog sideways when i shot it. Great for a thumper but you are giving up ballistics. Single shot, you are also giving up multiple kills and or follow up shots on the fly.