Big Bore Cartridges Compared – 460 S&W vs 444 Marlin vs 450 BM vs 45-70 Govt

[av_section min_height=’75’ min_height_pc=’25’ min_height_px=’500px’ padding=’default’ shadow=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border_diagonal_color=’#333333′ bottom_border_diagonal_direction=” bottom_border_style=” custom_margin=’0px’ custom_margin_sync=’true’ custom_arrow_bg=” color=’main_color’ background=’bg_color’ custom_bg=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=’https://matchgrademachine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/big-bore-cartridge-compared.jpg’ attachment=’42128′ attachment_size=’full’ attach=’scroll’ position=’bottom center’ repeat=’stretch’ video=” video_ratio=’16:9′ overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=” id=” custom_class=” aria_label=” av_element_hidden_in_editor=’0′ av_uid=’av-3vvthdp’][/av_section] [av_section min_height=” min_height_pc=’25’ min_height_px=’500px’ padding=’default’ shadow=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border_diagonal_color=’#333333′ bottom_border_diagonal_direction=’scroll’ bottom_border_style=’scroll’ margin=” custom_margin=’0px’ scroll_down=” custom_arrow_bg=” color=’main_color’ background=’bg_color’ custom_bg=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” attach=’scroll’ position=’top left’ repeat=’no-repeat’ video=” video_ratio=’16:9′ video_mobile_disabled=” overlay_enable=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av_element_hidden_in_editor=’0′ av_uid=’av-3bvlevx’] [av_three_fourth first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ row_boxshadow=” row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” title_attr=” alt_attr=” padding=’0px’ highlight=” highlight_size=” border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ column_boxshadow=” column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” av_uid=’av-369l1bx’] [av_heading heading=’Big Bore Cartridges Compared – 460 S&W vs 444 Marlin vs 450 BM vs 45-70 Govt’ tag=’h1′ link_apply=” link=’manually,https://’ link_target=” style=’blockquote modern-quote modern-centered’ size=” subheading_active=” subheading_size=’15’ margin=” padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=’#ffffff’ custom_class=” id=” admin_preview_bg=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-33nof1′][/av_heading] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-35uzct’ admin_preview_bg=”] Match Grade Machine did extensive testing with different barrel lengths in some of our most popular cartridges. We started with 27″ barrels for each cartridge and collected velocities cutting one inch off at a time and retesting all the way down to 13″ using multiple loads of ammunition. The cartridges we tested include the 460 S&W Magnum, 444 Marlin, 450 Bushmaster, and 45-70 Government. Here’s how they compare to each other.
[/av_textblock] [/av_three_fourth][av_one_fourth min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ row_boxshadow=” row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” title_attr=” alt_attr=” padding=’0px’ highlight=” highlight_size=” border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ column_boxshadow=” column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” av_uid=’av-8w7tml’] [/av_one_fourth] [/av_section] [av_section min_height=” min_height_pc=’25’ min_height_px=’500px’ padding=’default’ shadow=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border_diagonal_color=’#333333′ bottom_border_diagonal_direction=’scroll’ bottom_border_style=’scroll’ margin=” custom_margin=’0px’ scroll_down=” 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av_uid=’av-k3oumk5f’] [/av_three_fifth][av_one_fifth min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ row_boxshadow=” row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” title_attr=” alt_attr=” padding=’0px’ highlight=” highlight_size=” border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ column_boxshadow=” column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” av_uid=’av-n7xhtp’] [/av_one_fifth] [/av_section] [av_section min_height=” min_height_pc=’25’ min_height_px=’500px’ padding=’default’ shadow=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border=’no-border-styling’ bottom_border_diagonal_color=’#333333′ bottom_border_diagonal_direction=’scroll’ bottom_border_style=’scroll’ margin=” custom_margin=’0px’ scroll_down=” custom_arrow_bg=” color=’main_color’ background=’bg_color’ custom_bg=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” attach=’scroll’ position=’top left’ repeat=’no-repeat’ video=” video_ratio=’16:9′ video_mobile_disabled=” overlay_enable=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av_element_hidden_in_editor=’0′ av_uid=’av-1tthttp’] [av_one_half first min_height=” vertical_alignment=’av-align-top’ space=” margin=’0px’ margin_sync=’true’ row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” title_attr=” alt_attr=” padding=’10px’ padding_sync=’true’ highlight_size=’1.1′ border=’2′ border_color=’#000000′ radius=’0px’ radius_sync=’true’ column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” attachment=” attachment_size=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-164oiwt’] [av_heading heading=’460 S&W’ tag=’h2′ link_apply=” link=’manually,https://’ link_target=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ margin=” padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” custom_class=” id=” admin_preview_bg=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-22fdy71′] .451 Caliber projectiles
1.790″ Case length
[/av_heading] [av_hr class=’custom’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’left’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=’#000000′ custom_margin_top=’20px’ custom_margin_bottom=’20px’ icon_select=’no’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-k3oyi90t’ admin_preview_bg=”] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-k3oyfo3z’ admin_preview_bg=”] Velocity testing results

• Factory 200g ammo
• 13″ – 2720 FPS
• 27″ – 2970 FPS
• 250 FPS spread
• 33-46g powder charge
• We suggest a 24″ barrel length

Summary: Factory ammo is not a great choice for rifle length barrels, hand loading gives better performance. Fastest cartridge of these options. Most destructive to components.
[/av_textblock] [/av_one_half][av_one_half min_height=” vertical_alignment=’av-align-top’ space=” margin=’0px’ margin_sync=’true’ row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” title_attr=” alt_attr=” padding=’10px’ padding_sync=’true’ highlight_size=’1.1′ border=’2′ border_color=’#000000′ radius=’0px’ radius_sync=’true’ column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” attachment=” attachment_size=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-164oiwt’] [av_heading heading=’444 Marlin’ tag=’h2′ link_apply=” link=’manually,https://’ link_target=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ margin=” padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” custom_class=” id=” admin_preview_bg=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-5zfj5p’] .429 Caliber projectiles
2.215 Case length
[/av_heading] [av_hr class=’custom’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’left’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=’#000000′ custom_margin_top=’20px’ custom_margin_bottom=’20px’ icon_select=’no’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-k3oyi90t’ admin_preview_bg=”] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-k3oyfo3z’ admin_preview_bg=”] Velocity testing results

• Factory 265g ammo
• 13″ – 2070 FPS
• 27″ – 2350 FPS
• 280 FPS spread
• 40-60g powder charge
• We suggest a 23″ barrel length

[/av_textblock] [/av_one_half][av_one_half first min_height=” vertical_alignment=’av-align-top’ space=” margin=’0px’ margin_sync=’true’ row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” title_attr=” alt_attr=” padding=’10px’ padding_sync=’true’ highlight_size=’1.1′ border=’2′ border_color=’#000000′ radius=’0px’ radius_sync=’true’ column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” attachment=” attachment_size=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-164oiwt’] [av_heading heading=’450 Bushmaster’ tag=’h2′ link_apply=” link=’manually,https://’ link_target=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ margin=” padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” custom_class=” id=” admin_preview_bg=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-12dcp3x’] .451 Caliber projectiles
1.690″ case length
[/av_heading] [av_hr class=’custom’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’left’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=’#000000′ custom_margin_top=’20px’ custom_margin_bottom=’20px’ icon_select=’no’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-k3oyi90t’ admin_preview_bg=”] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-k3oyfo3z’ admin_preview_bg=”] Velocity testing results

[/av_textblock] [/av_one_half][av_one_half min_height=” vertical_alignment=’av-align-top’ space=” margin=’0px’ margin_sync=’true’ row_boxshadow_color=” row_boxshadow_width=’10’ link=” linktarget=” link_hover=” title_attr=” alt_attr=” padding=’10px’ padding_sync=’true’ highlight_size=’1.1′ border=’2′ border_color=’#000000′ radius=’0px’ radius_sync=’true’ column_boxshadow_color=” column_boxshadow_width=’10’ background=’bg_color’ background_color=” background_gradient_color1=” background_gradient_color2=” background_gradient_direction=’vertical’ src=” attachment=” attachment_size=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_breaking=” mobile_display=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-164oiwt’] [av_heading heading=’45-70 Government’ tag=’h2′ link_apply=” link=’manually,https://’ link_target=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ margin=” padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” custom_class=” id=” admin_preview_bg=” av-desktop-hide=” av-medium-hide=” av-small-hide=” av-mini-hide=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-s8v4kd’] .458 Caliber projectiles
2.100″ case length
[/av_heading] [av_hr class=’custom’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’left’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=’#000000′ custom_margin_top=’20px’ custom_margin_bottom=’20px’ icon_select=’no’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-k3oyi90t’ admin_preview_bg=”] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-k3oyfo3z’ admin_preview_bg=”] Velocity testing results

[/av_textblock] [/av_one_half][av_hr class=’invisible’ height=’50’ shadow=’no-shadow’ position=’center’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_border_color=” custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ icon_select=’yes’ custom_icon_color=” icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-k3oyquaz’ admin_preview_bg=”] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” id=” custom_class=” av_uid=’av-35uzct’ admin_preview_bg=”] Our velocity charts are labeled with bullet weights and barrel lengths with velocities gathered. We also used the data gathered to suggest optimum barrel lengths for each cartridge to help decide which was best. Different states hunting laws are slightly different and are subject to change so we included case lengths for each for you to use as a guide if they are legal for your hunt or not. Each cartridge has its own benefit and ultimately is your choice. You can find more information on our site under the Velocity/Info tab labeled Velocity Testing.
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