Looking for a bison gun.

Ryan044 · November 13, 2009, 09:05 AM

Looking for a new bison gun for controlled harvesting. Or at least as controlled as bison can be.
We have a small bison heard and harvest 1 a year. So far .44mag has held strong but that is on 14month animals.

If the heard bull ever needs to be taken he will laugh at my .44.

My gut leads me to a .45-70govt. Will always do the trick. The question is will the .444 marlin be just as capable at the respective limits of the cartridges.
Just want to keep options open while tracking used marlin levers.

Thanks for any input.
Ryan

fineredmist · November 13, 2009, 09:10 AM

Either one will do the trick but, being a history buff, I would choose the .45-70.

Bigfatts · November 13, 2009, 09:15 AM

The .444 or .450 Marlin coupled with the Hornady Lever ammo would be good medicine for Bison. Of course there are plenty of good choices in that price bracket. The Buffalo Classic .45-70 comes to mind. If you want a rugged truck gun type they make a stainless Handi Rifle in .500 S&W.

Ryan044 · November 13, 2009, 09:20 AM

Rugged is the key. usually once a year you need to run the bison through the chute for shots and inspection. Unfortunatly all you can do is hope they pick the same day you do otherwise it could be rain, snow , whateveresle.

The .44 will stay on the belt but lever will be standing next to the chute in the rain, snow, or sunshine

.

I like the stainless guide gun but if I find a good used deal it will surpass want with wallet.

reloader28 · November 13, 2009, 10:18 AM

If you want to stick with pistols, go with one of the new, big S/W. Or a Linebaugh if you can afford it. They are proven to work.

CraigC · November 13, 2009, 10:27 AM

The .44Mag will get the job done with the right bullet but bigger is always better. The .45/70 has it all over the .44's (.444 included) when it comes to game the size of a mature bison simply because of sheer bullet weight. It would be an excellent choice. Skip the rubber-tipped Hornady bullets though and go for at least a 400gr hardcast at ~1800fps.

mapsjanhere · November 13, 2009, 10:34 AM

I like the Browning BLR in 450 Marlin. Stainless, laminate stock, perfect in bad weather, and if you get the take-down version, easy to clean too. As a regular box magazine fed weapon you also are not limited in your choice of bullet shape.

Ryan044 · November 13, 2009, 10:50 AM

All great feedback.

Probably stick with current pistol and go with new rifle just in case of the very scary loose animal scenario, and 100yds is required

Malamute · November 13, 2009, 03:26 PM

It shouldnt be too tough to kill one if you can get a decent shot behind the ear. I knew an Arizona cowboy that used a 223 to kill cattle when needed. He said behind the ear from a slight rearward angle (about 7 or 8:00 I believe) was DRT on them. They had some real impressive longhorn bulls.

.300 Weatherby Mag · November 13, 2009, 07:44 PM

450/400 Nitro Express

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/prod...ducts_id=99605

Pahoo · November 13, 2009, 07:49 PM

How about a Lyman Great Plains Hunter in .54 shooting a Maxi-Hunter driven by 120 grns. of 777. I know and no reply required. ....

Only in my dreams....

Be Safe !!!

rickyjames · November 13, 2009, 07:58 PM

well if i could ever get drawn for a bison i would use my sharps 45/70. i just don't think i could bring myself to use anything but a sharps.....if i ever get so lucky

fast-eddie · November 13, 2009, 08:19 PM

My next purchase is going to be a .444 marlin.I came to that conclusion when my son was watching some goofy werewolf show on the History channel and they were testing silver bullets at the Hornady testing grounds. They first use a Hornady SP bullet for comparison, shooting at two large blocks of ballistics gel sitting on elementry school style desks. The The concusion from the SP test bullet was amazing, it broke the desks partical board top in half and went through both 12" blocks of Gel.

It was awesome, but I'm not sure what the test was trying to prove. The only thing it proved that the silver was less accurate and didn't mushroom, duh.

Ryan044 · November 14, 2009, 09:28 AM

i've got the .223 and if need be it is there. I found a used like new marlin lever .444 for $525.00 ??? good price?

tju1973 · November 14, 2009, 02:42 PM

my vote is for the .45-70.....hands down and in this flavor the Buffalo Classic---

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/buffalo.asp

flashhole · November 14, 2009, 07:41 PM

The 45-70 would be a great choice but you also have to be mindful of the bullet you use. A 300 grain hollow point will not give anywhere near the penetration a 500 grain hard cast lead bullet will. I think the 500 grain bullet can penetrate a locomotive, lengthwise. They carry quite a punch at both ends and are not at all pleasant to shoot in a Guide Gun. I assembled some of the 500 grain bullets over a good charge of Reloader #7. Ouch! I'm not recoil shy at all it's just that these things kick like a mule. I have them stored away so when the mad elephant escapes the zoo and has run amuck I will have something that can stop it before I end up as squishy stuff between his toes.

Tomas204 · November 14, 2009, 07:57 PM

I would use my C. Sharps .405 winchester

:

Big Thunder Teddy Roosivelt Favorite

tINY · November 14, 2009, 11:01 PM

The 454 casull mod 92 rifles can be had in stainless. With 300 gr jacketed or 360 gr hard cast, they pack the punch of traditional 45/70 loads.

-tINY

javven · November 14, 2009, 11:03 PM

My father took his in AK with a 30-06.

Swampghost · November 14, 2009, 11:35 PM

The 45-70 was the classic round but many forget the 50-90 just in case you really want to punish yourself.

The 45-70 was considered "the round" because it was a GI rifle. Cheap to buy and our Gov't supplied ammo to reduce the plains indians major resource. It was effective.

A 30-30 will drop one DRT. It's much like hunting cattle, not much to it. Not that I've ever hunted cattle.

CraigC · November 15, 2009, 12:32 AM

If the buffalo are wild, it's nothing like "hunting cattle". Bison are wary, huge and extremely tough to put down. It ain't like in the movies.

Ryan044 · November 18, 2009, 08:04 AM

sorry to revive the thread but just need to add one comment..
There is no such thing as a tame buffalo. Wild is part of their genetic makeup. Make no mistakes if you are ever infront of one they are not a beef cow.

horseman308 · November 18, 2009, 09:10 AM

Second that. Despite what we saw on tv, lots of people died in the old days hunting bison. That's part of the reason the 45-90, 45-110, 50-90, etc. were developed. They could be used to shoot the bison from far enough away that the herd didn't stampede and kill the hunters.

CraigC · November 18, 2009, 10:20 AM

One must realize that buffalo, when raised as livestock, are not raised like cattle. They are typically only grassfed and do not require the intervention that cows do but DO require a very tall fence. Buffalo simply do not become pets like cows do.

Stevie-Ray · November 18, 2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

they are not a beef cow.

Aah...but they are even tastier.

November 13, 2009, 09:05 AM	#1
Ryan044 Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Location: Western Ny Posts: 80	Looking for a bison gun. Looking for a new bison gun for controlled harvesting. Or at least as controlled as bison can be. We have a small bison heard and harvest 1 a year. So far .44mag has held strong but that is on 14month animals. If the heard bull ever needs to be taken he will laugh at my .44. My gut leads me to a .45-70govt. Will always do the trick. The question is will the .444 marlin be just as capable at the respective limits of the cartridges. Just want to keep options open while tracking used marlin levers. Thanks for any input. Ryan __________________ It's always the right time to buy a gun!

November 13, 2009, 09:20 AM	#4
Ryan044 Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Location: Western Ny Posts: 80	Rugged is the key. usually once a year you need to run the bison through the chute for shots and inspection. Unfortunatly all you can do is hope they pick the same day you do otherwise it could be rain, snow , whateveresle. The .44 will stay on the belt but lever will be standing next to the chute in the rain, snow, or sunshine. I like the stainless guide gun but if I find a good used deal it will surpass want with wallet. __________________ It's always the right time to buy a gun!

November 13, 2009, 10:50 AM	#8
Ryan044 Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Location: Western Ny Posts: 80	All great feedback. Probably stick with current pistol and go with new rifle just in case of the very scary loose animal scenario, and 100yds is required __________________ It's always the right time to buy a gun!

November 13, 2009, 03:26 PM	#9
Malamute Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2004 Location: Rocky Mts Posts: 859	It shouldnt be too tough to kill one if you can get a decent shot behind the ear. I knew an Arizona cowboy that used a 223 to kill cattle when needed. He said behind the ear from a slight rearward angle (about 7 or 8:00 I believe) was DRT on them. They had some real impressive longhorn bulls. __________________ "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt-

November 13, 2009, 08:19 PM	#13
fast-eddie Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2009 Location: Tigard Or, Posts: 342	444 My next purchase is going to be a .444 marlin.I came to that conclusion when my son was watching some goofy werewolf show on the History channel and they were testing silver bullets at the Hornady testing grounds. They first use a Hornady SP bullet for comparison, shooting at two large blocks of ballistics gel sitting on elementry school style desks. The The concusion from the SP test bullet was amazing, it broke the desks partical board top in half and went through both 12" blocks of Gel. It was awesome, but I'm not sure what the test was trying to prove. The only thing it proved that the silver was less accurate and didn't mushroom, duh.

November 13, 2009, 09:10 AM	#2
fineredmist Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2008 Location: Wethersfield, ct Posts: 128	Either one will do the trick but, being a history buff, I would choose the .45-70.

November 13, 2009, 09:15 AM	#3
Bigfatts Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2005 Location: Lutz Posts: 1,528	The .444 or .450 Marlin coupled with the Hornady Lever ammo would be good medicine for Bison. Of course there are plenty of good choices in that price bracket. The Buffalo Classic .45-70 comes to mind. If you want a rugged truck gun type they make a stainless Handi Rifle in .500 S&W.

November 13, 2009, 10:18 AM	#5
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 1,061	If you want to stick with pistols, go with one of the new, big S/W. Or a Linebaugh if you can afford it. They are proven to work.

November 13, 2009, 10:27 AM	#6
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	The .44Mag will get the job done with the right bullet but bigger is always better. The .45/70 has it all over the .44's (.444 included) when it comes to game the size of a mature bison simply because of sheer bullet weight. It would be an excellent choice. Skip the rubber-tipped Hornady bullets though and go for at least a 400gr hardcast at ~1800fps.

November 13, 2009, 10:34 AM	#7
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	I like the Browning BLR in 450 Marlin. Stainless, laminate stock, perfect in bad weather, and if you get the take-down version, easy to clean too. As a regular box magazine fed weapon you also are not limited in your choice of bullet shape. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

November 13, 2009, 07:44 PM	#10
.300 Weatherby Mag Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2008 Posts: 1,777	450/400 Nitro Express http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/prod...ducts_id=99605

November 13, 2009, 07:49 PM	#11
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	How about a Lyman Great Plains Hunter in .54 shooting a Maxi-Hunter driven by 120 grns. of 777. I know and no reply required. .... Only in my dreams.... Be Safe !!!

November 13, 2009, 07:58 PM	#12
rickyjames Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 558	well if i could ever get drawn for a bison i would use my sharps 45/70. i just don't think i could bring myself to use anything but a sharps.....if i ever get so lucky

November 14, 2009, 09:28 AM	#14
Ryan044 Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Location: Western Ny Posts: 80	i've got the .223 and if need be it is there. I found a used like new marlin lever .444 for $525.00 ??? good price? __________________ It's always the right time to buy a gun!

November 14, 2009, 02:42 PM	#15
tju1973 Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2008 Posts: 111	my vote is for the .45-70.....hands down and in this flavor the Buffalo Classic--- http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/buffalo.asp

November 14, 2009, 07:41 PM	#16
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	The 45-70 would be a great choice but you also have to be mindful of the bullet you use. A 300 grain hollow point will not give anywhere near the penetration a 500 grain hard cast lead bullet will. I think the 500 grain bullet can penetrate a locomotive, lengthwise. They carry quite a punch at both ends and are not at all pleasant to shoot in a Guide Gun. I assembled some of the 500 grain bullets over a good charge of Reloader #7. Ouch! I'm not recoil shy at all it's just that these things kick like a mule. I have them stored away so when the mad elephant escapes the zoo and has run amuck I will have something that can stop it before I end up as squishy stuff between his toes. __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

November 14, 2009, 07:57 PM	#17
Tomas204 Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 144	I would use my C. Sharps .405 winchester : Big Thunder Teddy Roosivelt Favorite

November 14, 2009, 11:01 PM	#18
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,589	The 454 casull mod 92 rifles can be had in stainless. With 300 gr jacketed or 360 gr hard cast, they pack the punch of traditional 45/70 loads. -tINY

November 14, 2009, 11:03 PM	#19
javven Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2009 Posts: 195	My father took his in AK with a 30-06.

November 14, 2009, 11:35 PM	#20
Swampghost Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: Florida, east coast Posts: 2,106	The 45-70 was the classic round but many forget the 50-90 just in case you really want to punish yourself. The 45-70 was considered "the round" because it was a GI rifle. Cheap to buy and our Gov't supplied ammo to reduce the plains indians major resource. It was effective. A 30-30 will drop one DRT. It's much like hunting cattle, not much to it. Not that I've ever hunted cattle. __________________ NRA Patron Member

November 15, 2009, 12:32 AM	#21
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	If the buffalo are wild, it's nothing like "hunting cattle". Bison are wary, huge and extremely tough to put down. It ain't like in the movies.

November 18, 2009, 08:04 AM	#22
Ryan044 Member Join Date: November 11, 2009 Location: Western Ny Posts: 80	sorry to revive the thread but just need to add one comment.. There is no such thing as a tame buffalo. Wild is part of their genetic makeup. Make no mistakes if you are ever infront of one they are not a beef cow. __________________ It's always the right time to buy a gun!

November 18, 2009, 09:10 AM	#23
horseman308 Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 526	Second that. Despite what we saw on tv, lots of people died in the old days hunting bison. That's part of the reason the 45-90, 45-110, 50-90, etc. were developed. They could be used to shoot the bison from far enough away that the herd didn't stampede and kill the hunters. __________________ You only take one shot at a time - make it count.

November 18, 2009, 10:20 AM	#24
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	One must realize that buffalo, when raised as livestock, are not raised like cattle. They are typically only grassfed and do not require the intervention that cows do but DO require a very tall fence. Buffalo simply do not become pets like cows do.