450 Marlin

Id go marlin/marlin

I would go with the Marlin rifle as well.

Both

were it me I'd fall in the lever camp as well. I'd look for a Model 94 though just to walk a different path

Marlin

db_tanker said:

were it me I'd fall in the lever camp as well. I'd look for a Model 94 though just to walk a different path

Click to expand...

Did rhe 94s come in 450Marlin?

I vote the Marlin. Especially, if you intend to hunt with it and possibly use for (bear) carry.

3C

LoonWulf said:

Did rhe 94s come in 450Marlin?

Click to expand...

Not to my knowledge. The 1894 action is too short and not strong enough for the .450M. It would be an 1895 (336) action. Maybe I am wrong?

3C

I've done google searching and found that they were made but not many apparently?

There is an article in American Rifleman back in 2017 -

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/tested-winchester-m94-te-lever-action-in-450-marlin/

Trails End take down model...still listed as in production?

https://www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/model-94/current/model-94-trails-end-takedown.html

Like trying to decide between Mary Ann and Ginger.

A couple of years ago, I built a .450 Marlin on a T-C Venture action. I wanted a repeater that would take more pressure than a lever action - never been attracted to levers.
I had Shaw install a medium-heavy 18-inch spiral-fluted barrel, hogged out the stock to fit and mounted a 3-9X scope.
No problem breaking 2200 fps with a 350-gr bullet and getting 3/4" groups at 50 yds. This wasn't intended to be a long-range rifle, so hair-splitting accuracy isn't a requirement.
My normal load pushes the 350 SP at 1960 fps and is very comfortable. I used it to shoot a nice hog last year. Hit behind the ear, broke the spine for an instant kill.
Living in Florida, I really don't have much use for a rifle like this, I just wanted it.
.

It seems the Marlin lever actions are pretty strong, and that the bolt actions don't deliver that much more. Or, "enough difference to make a difference"? That '94 was getting within 200fps of the TC Venture...which is nipping at the heels of the .458!! Wow.

Years ago (and probably still are) they were loading the .45-70 way up there in the Marlins. As I recall, 1800fps with a 400 grain bullet was not hard to do.

I don't see anything wrong with 3/4" at 50. That's not bad at all, especially considering the power level. Here's my Marlin at 100 yards.

According to the Hornady manual, you can get 300 fps more with the 350 gr bullet in a Ruger #1 than with a Marlin lever gun with the 45/70 cartridge. Same thing applies to the 450 Marlin.
You can push the same bullet to 2500 with a .458 Win, but that's with a 24" barrel and a lot more powder.
I'm more than happy getting 2200 out of an 18" tube.

350fps is enough difference to make a difference. ! Indeed those are impressive ballistics out of an 18" barrel.

These days I prefer big heavy slow bullets over the 350's in .458" size.

I've been looking for the old 405 gr Remington bullet for years, but they don't make them anymore.

Ugly Sauce said:

350fps is enough difference to make a difference.

Click to expand...

I think 20 fps makes a difference, that said the 450 Marlin looses 600 +/- fps from the muzzle to 150 and it still kills stuff pretty good.

I don't know what the old .45-70 load lost out to 150, but with a muzzle velocity of only 1300fps it knocked buffalo down pretty good. !!! Big heavy bullets, ya gotta love them.

Being a #1 fan, well... You know.

But it would be more classic in the Marlin

Since I've always wanted a #1, and since I have a Marlin lever gun in 45-70, I'd go for the #1. However, I'll say again, that would be like choosing between Ginger and Mary Ann. I'd have a mental breakdown before I could decide. (but I'm thinking...Mary Ann)

How much ammunition are we talking about? I would hate to be stuck with a 450 Marlin after my brass was done. Then again I have a number of 45-70’s I could share with. For me to buy a 450 Marlin now, it would have to be a lifetime supply.

I don’t think I could bring myself to buy a 450 Marlin, already being a reloader, based solely on possession of 60 rounds of ammunition.

I’d sell the 450 Marlin ammo now at current prices and switch over to 45-70, there is nothing the 450 Marlin can do that the 45-70 cannot.

I don't know what the old .45-70 load lost out to 150, but with a muzzle velocity of only 1300fps it knocked buffalo down pretty good. !!! Big heavy bullets, ya gotta love them.

Click to expand...

Mythology

Most of the buffalo were dead before the 45-70 was developed in 1873. There were laws passed in 1874 banning the hunting of buffalo to preserve the handful left. There were very few buffalo killed with 45-70, they were hunted with much more powerful cartridges.

In the 1870s and 1880's the 45-70 developed a reputation for being pretty weak and was not considered adequate for game larger than deer. Those black powder era loads were basically equivalent to 45 caliber muzzle loaders. Which is the legal minimum for deer in most places. Not legal for game larger than deer in most places.

Modern loads, in modern rifles are a big step up, but the best loads suitable for a lever action are considerable below 458 WM. You can shoot a bullet about 100 gr lighter to about 100 fps slower than 458. If you step up to a Ruger single shot or bolt action the best 45-70 loads will shoot a bullet about 100 gr lighter than 458 to about the same speed.

I’d sell the 450 Marlin ammo now at current prices and switch over to 45-70, there is nothing the 450 Marlin can do that the 45-70 cannot.

Click to expand...

That is good advice. When 450 Marlin was introduced virtually all factory 45-70 loads were very low powered loads suitable for the old rifles. The only option to get modern 45-70 loads were to handload. Ammo manufacturers were reluctant to make modern loads for liability reasons. The 450 Marlin filled that need. You got the same power level as the best 45-70 handloads, but in a cartridge that would not fit in an older rifle. There are now several options for factory modern power level 45-70.