[Jeff Higgins]

The .45-70 fits your requirement for ammo availability. In standard factory loads, it is the least powerfull of the three, but it beats the other two hands-down in availability. You can get some pretty hell-bent-for-election loads from places like Buffalo Bore, Garret Cartridges, and the like. When you're in civilization, anyway. Out in the boonies it's going to be Remington, Winchester, Federal; the usual suspects. These launch a 400 grainer to about 1300 fps, which will kill anything that walks. The heavy duty stuff goes up to 1800-1900, matching the .450 Marlin.

All Marlin was really after with that one was to match what so many of us do with our .45-70's, but making damn sure one of their hot loaded rounds doesn't make its way into a Trapdoor or something. There is no advantage to it anymore, with the small companies loading some .45-70 stuff up to match. I see it fading away eventually.

The .444 is kind of an oddball. It shoots .44 mag pistol bullets way too fast, is the bottom line. The bullets are too light, too fragile, and going too fast to hold together on bigger animals. It kills little deer like the Hammer of Thor, with violent expansion but shallow penetration. I would stay away from it. Stick with the .45-70.