Why is Marlin 45-70 cheaper than Marlin 44MAG

[juststarting]

Bit of a random question…

So, as I am taking it easy on my holiday here in far north QLD, collecting coconuts and feeling a little isolated, with the nearest fun shop at least 60km away, I keep thinking about 44 lever action that I am keen on. I’ve decided on a Marlin 1894 44MAG.

As I search for those, few Marlin 45-70 pop up in my results. What I find interesting is that they (45-70) are often, if not always, cheaper than 44MAG alternative. I would have thought that 45-70 would be more expensive.

Any suggestions, as to why this is the case?

As always, appreciate all responses.

[bladeracer]

Bit of a random question…

So, as I am taking it easy on my holiday here in far north QLD, collecting coconuts and feeling a little isolated, with the nearest fun shop at least 60km away, I keep thinking about 44 lever action that I am keen on. I’ve decided on a Marlin 1894 44MAG.

As I search for those, few Marlin 45-70 pop up in my results. What I find interesting is that they (45-70) are often, if not always, cheaper than 44MAG alternative. I would have thought that 45-70 would be more expensive.

Any suggestions, as to why this is the case?

As always, appreciate all responses.

Could just be demand.
Ruger American's tend to be cheaper in .243 because nobody wants them, while the same rifle in .223 usually holds nearer RRP because they sell so well.
I would imagine the .44 would appeal to a wider market than .45-70.

[bladeracer]

You could just buy the .45-70 and load it down to .44 Magnum velocities.

[wrenchman]

they are hard to get here also marlin does not seem to make as many i have been trying to get one in 357 no one has one in stock any i see on line for sale are used and top doller.

[Gamerancher]

The .45-70's are mostly built on the 336 action and the .44mag's are on the 1894 action. It would be more expensive to manufacture.
Also what Bladeracer said, supply and demand. .44 mag, being a pistol caliber, is more sought after by "single-action" and "lever-action silhouette" crowd which could be keeping the prices up.

[GLS_1956]

Here in the US the 45-70 is more expensive. I will guess that it is the case of supply and demand.

[juststarting]

The .45-70's are mostly built on the 336 action and the .44mag's are on the 1894 action. It would be more expensive to manufacture.
Also what Bladeracer said, supply and demand. .44 mag, being a pistol caliber, is more sought after by "single-action" and "lever-action silhouette" crowd which could be keeping the prices up.

That would be my thought to, seems to be the same with .357 v's say .30-30 as well.

Ye I noticed 30-30 are cheap too, by comparison... Perhaps it's a mix of both factors :/

[Supaduke]

As mentioned , I think it's supply and demand. 45-70's are much more common. Each rifle would be more or less the same cost to manafacturer. You just don't see a lot of pistol calibre levers from Marlin. And as said, I think cowboy action shooters are slightly monopolising the current supply.
I would suggest you get a Henry but I'm biased as f$@k towards Henrys

[juststarting]

Supaduke, yeah I was thinking 45-70 Henry or Marlin and load mild, as an alternative to the 44. Still in two minds but there's just something cool about 44 in my mind. Plus it will do much the same at closer range anyway. For longer range I have my trusty 308 and you know, maybe 300wm in distant future. Damn it, so many toys, so many.

[Supaduke]

The 45-70 is not as stout as people have made out. Maybe my rifle is a little heavier with the octagon barrel, but I was underwhelmed with the recoil. That was with 325gr Leverloution factory loads (which are often claimed to have quite a kick). The cast lead loads I whipped up , a 12 year old could fire np. Don't be a soft cock, get a man's gun, get a 45-70 you won't regret it.

[juststarting]

Yeah I am tempted, probably no, but maybe lol

[pomemax]

45-70, 300GR
JACKETED HOLLOW POINT
AMMUNITION
$64.70 /PER 20
$291.15 /PER 100
$549.95 /PER 200

PPU - HIGHLAND
44MAG, 240GR
JHP
AMMUNITION
SPECIAL
$42 /PER 50
$210 /PER 250
$420 /PER 500


MARLIN 1894 44 MAG 10 SHOT
BLUED WALNUT
Built in the tradition of one of Marlin´s oldest lever-action designs, the Model 1894 is an elegant carbine chambered for pistol calibers. Its handy size is punctuated by a quick-pointing,straight-grip stock design and traditional Old West-styled adjustable semi-buck horn sights. The Model 1894 is chambered for 44 Remington Mag/44 Special, with its superior knockdown capability. Featuring finely checkered American black walnut stocks and fore-ends.
SPECIAL NEW $1079
MARLIN
70458 LIMITED EDITION
1895 COWBOY CLASSIC
45/70, 6 SHOT
18" OCTAGONAL BARREL
CLASSIC BLUED FINISH
WALNUT STOCK & FOREND
The venerable big-game-pingperformance of the 45-70 Gov´t. is now available in a compact gun.
The Model 1895 Cowboy Classic has richly blued steel.
Ballard-type rifling and an American black walnut stock.
SPECIAL NEW $1395
i thought the ammo may have been cheaper but not the case other way around pistol / rifle cartridge can not realy compare price wise easy as solved GET BOTH

[juststarting]

Hrmmmm

[Supaduke]

You can reload 45-70 , plinking loads about 60-80c, full power hunting loads about $1.20/$1.50

[juststarting]

That would be like 30c per case, link?

[Supaduke]

I don't factor in cases. If you use cast loads they last more or less indefinitely. If you reload once fired you have already paid for someone to load it, powder ,primer, projectile, package. You already got your money's worth. For full power loads I think 10 reloads would be an acceptable average so add about 12c more per reload. Over the longer term I just factor in how much it costs me in consumables to pull the trigger. Powder,primer , projie.
But 50 star line brass is around $60

[juststarting]

You are not helping! Damn it!

[Supaduke]

Plinking load
300gr hard cast projectile - 42c
Primer ,large rifle - 9c
Powder , Trail Boss 15gr -9c
60c total

Hunting loads
Projectile - 80c/$1.20
Primer -9c
Powder - 25c/40c
Wear and tear on case - 12c
$1.26-$1.83

That's not really buying in bulk either. And I mainly go to one shop. Obviously if you kept an eye out for specials or buy in bulk you could trim that even further.

That's without even delving into casting your own projies.


Certainly not the cheapest round to run, but it's not exactly the type of rifle you run several hundred rounds through in a sitting either .

[Tank]

You're gonna pay $70+ /100 for cases in 45-70 but if you only want to load it 'girly' they will last indefinitely.
Loaded with cast projes and Trailboss it's cheap as chips and the kids can use it!
Mind you a 405gn proje at 1100fps still packs some down range thump!
Magazine capacity is lower with the big 45 though.
I've got 3 rifles in 45-70......call me biased.....
Regs,
Tank.

[petemacsydney]

Bit of a random question…

So, as I am taking it easy on my holiday here in far north QLD, collecting coconuts and feeling a little isolated, with the nearest fun shop at least 60km away, I keep thinking about 44 lever action that I am keen on. I’ve decided on a Marlin 1894 44MAG.

As I search for those, few Marlin 45-70 pop up in my results. What I find interesting is that they (45-70) are often, if not always, cheaper than 44MAG alternative. I would have thought that 45-70 would be more expensive.

Any suggestions, as to why this is the case?

As always, appreciate all responses.

let me know how you go finding a marlin 44mag. from what i know the stock around Aus is very limited.
good hunting!
cheers p

[juststarting]

will do, petemacsydney

[Mitch]

will do, petemacsydney

I just got a brand new one a week ago

[juststarting]

OMFG f*** the lot of you, maybe I do want a 45/70. Bunch of arseholes you are.

[bladeracer]

OMFG f*** the lot of you, maybe I do want a 45/70. Bunch of arseholes you are.

I want one myself one day

[Oldbloke]

Mostly it is marketing along with supply & demand. Retailers always charge as much as the idiot in front of the counter is prepared to pay.
Most BA's for example are built for buggerall using CNC equipment, unless a lot of work is put into finish, then the price goes up dramaticaly. The rest is mark up and tax.

If your keen and have a use I would not hesitate in getting the 45-70 and consider loading it back to about 44 mag. You then have the option to load to standard velocities. Your into reloading so should be easy. I see projectiles are not cheap so I would cast. If you want to use it on game don't get too stressed about projectile design, a 400 gr .45 makes a big hole even if never mushrooms. LOL

[Oldbloke]

Mostly it is marketing along with supply & demand. Retailers always charge as much as the idiot in front of the counter is prepared to pay.
Most BA's for example are built for buggerall using CNC equipment, unless a lot of work is put into finish, then the price goes up dramaticaly. The rest is mark up and tax.

If your keen and have a use I would not hesitate in getting the 45-70 and consider loading it back to about 44 mag. You then have the option to load to standard velocities. Your into reloading so should be easy. I see projectiles are not cheap so I would cast. If you want to use it on game don't get too stressed about projectile design, a 400 gr .45 makes a big hole even if never mushrooms. LOL

[sandgroperbill]

Found this today
http://m.usedguns.com.au/Product_Desc.aspx?Pid=80114

[juststarting]

Thanks. Did spot that one, but really prefer side eject.

[Oldbloke]

Top eject is s**t.

[juststarting]

I see what you're doing there Oldbloke. Time for popcorn