marlin .450

[gossman]

Was wondering if any of you guys have experience with the marlin lever in .450. Is it accurate with the short barrell? Is 150 yards reasonable shooting distance? I am looking for a quick handling carbine for elk woods hunting. Also was thinking of a Lyman peep for it. Any suggestions of comments? :confused:

[Old Judge Creek]

The Marlin 450 is nothing more than a hot loaded 45-70 with a belt added to the case to preclude dropping the hot round into an older rifle. Forget the 450 - period.

Now, the 450 forgotten, the 45-70 is what you want. It's a rompin'-stompin'-take-down-any-animal on the North American continent cartridge. Put a peep sight on that stubby little Marlin and you'll have a carbine that is accurate out to 200 - 225 yards, maybe even 250. Standing, offhand I can consistently put 10 rounds into a 6" group on a 200 yard target with the stock IRON SIGHTS on either of my 45-70 Browning or Marlin cowboy guns and that's with my 60 year old eyes.

If you hand load, you can acheive the very same ballistics as the 450 in the 45-70. If you don't hand load and you want to take the big Alaskan game, check out Cor-Bon ammo. Personally, I think the Cor-Bon stuff is a bit too hot but it'll dang sure get the job done.

I suggest you check out the Marlin website and forum and decide for yourself.

:cannon:

[gossman]

Thanks for the info. :D That's what the rumour was around here although I couldn't find anyone with a .450, only someone who knows someone etc...
I go elk hunting every year with my Ruger stainless .338 win mag (old style stock) and last few years I only have been hunting the coast range with lots of woods. I always hear of 400yd shots blah blah blah but I have taken 4 coastal elk in 6 years and never had a shot past 125 yds. The Ruger is sweet but I think with the fog, rain, and woods, a carbine would be sweeter especially with a peep sight. The only problem would be in low light which seems to be most of the years but I carry binoc's and usually the elk are not spooked. :lol:

:cannon:

[TwinRugers]

Sounds like Oregon hunting...

[gossman]

Yup, North Coast. Got a hunt in the morning, wishin' I had a levergun. Hoisted a mdl 1895 in 45-70 at BiMart but with the reduction in pay I have taken this year it most likely will take to next August before I can save up enough for one <_<

[Geno]

Old Judge creek is right, forget the 450. Almost everyone I know has either traded or sold theirs for something else. Just too much recoil and blast as well as big waste of energy on game such as deer. There must be at least 3 used ones at the local gun shops. This load was made for Grizzly in Alaska. The factory 45-70 load is great for almost anything and it can be loaded above specs for BIG game by handloading. ;)

[gossman]

Been looking at the 45/70 again since everyone is down on the .450. Just got to decide how to get one in the truck <_<

[pahaska]

Gossman,I own the Marlin guide gun in 45/70. I agree with everything written by the others.The versatility of that round over the .450 "ESPECIALLY if you hand load" makes it the choice. I use mine mostly to back up hunters that I guide here in Wyoming,often in grizzly country,although I did take a small bull with the rifle,at about 165 yds.Plus its small size and lack of optics make it a great gun in a scabbard.What old judge says about the sights is probably a good idea,I looked at one that had a ghost ring system installed, I think made by Millet,And wiil probably get one installed.

[Ivanimal]

I own the Marlin 1895 in 45/70 . I have wrist problems so I went with the pistol grip. I also considerered looking at the 450 marlin but overall the gains are really non existant if you reload, as I do. The main thing if you dont is to think about where you would find ammo if you were out of your area, lookin at remote shops for 450 Marlin. That would be difficult and expensive. Everyone has a box of 45/70 hangin around. The recoil on those CORBON loads is rather heavy, Old Judge Creek is right. The 405 grain projectiles I loaded up are pretty hostile as well. I cant wait to see terminal perfomance on a piggy. :D

[pahaska]

Talk about MAKIN BACON !!

[rugmar]

I know this is an old thread, but... I just have to ask this question to Geno. If you say to forget the .450 because the recoil is too heavy and the blast is too loud, what do you think you will get when you load the .45/70 hot enough to equal the .450?

I have a model 1895M .450 and really like it a lot. If you don't reload or just want to use factory loads (for whatever reason) then the .450 is a much better choice in my opinion. I think this point is supported by Marlin. As Old Judge Creek said, "Check out the Marlin website".

Now, that said, to keep all you 45/70 guys from jumping on me at once let me add the following. I do think that the 45/70 will outlive the .450. It has already been around longer than most cartridges out there. So that is a definate plus. Who knows how long the .450 will be around. Also, you can get Marlin's model 1895 in stainless but the .450 is only offered in blue at this time. But.., factory load versus factory load, the .450 wins hands down for effectiveness and it's even a little cheaper at some stores in my area.

[rugmar]

Gossman - Did you ever get one or the other?

[wulf03]

Looked at a .450 today.Sweet little truck gun.And man that round!Put me in the mind of a .44mag with a few extra inches.Only thing that stopped me from getting it was the ammo.Kinda hard to find around here.Gonna check wal-mart.They have gotten so they carry just about anything.Planning on having either a .450 or 45-70 soon.