How about a 450 Marlin?

[dk17hmr]

The local pawn shop, yes the little town I live in has a pawn shop, anyways they have a 450 Marlin in a H&R Ultra Rifle. Its at a good price but I think I can get it for a better price.

Anyhow I know about H&R/NEF rifles and yes I know it will kick the **** out of me.

What I dont know alot about is this 450 Marlin. Glad to hear anything anyone wants to say about it.

I have a 45-70 and a 500 S&W in a Handi Rifle I guess I kinda like the big boomers.

[missionary5155]

From what I read about them Handi Rifles... I would slug the bore or at least take a .458 soft lead boolit with me and see if the barrel is out of size badly. Some oversize would not matter... but I sure would want to know.

[shooter93]

It's a belted 45-70 to allow hotter than normal 45-70 loads with no fear of interchanging.

[oneokie]

The belt on the 450 Marlin is wider/longer than the belt on other belted cases to prevent chambering in smaller bore guns.

[Boerrancher]

In all honestly If you have a good strong 45-70, you can duplicate 450 marlin balistics. The 450 marlin load data is what I use for my custom 45-70. But I must stress you are talking about 40,000+ CUP loads, so if your 45-70 is not up to the challenge, then buy the Marlin 450.

Best Wishes from the Boer Ranch,

Joe

[OBXPilgrim]

If you already like the big boomers, it's just a one time investment for the dies, brass - you already cast for 45-70, so that won't be a problem & the price is right (peeked earlier on the other site) - less than 200 is a great buy.

Since Remington owns them now & who knows about the popularity of the 450 marlin, you my end up with a rare caliber.

I've got a 7.62x39 that shoots great (and reliably) with cast, and since you're on the other site a bunch too, you probably know how much folks have been looking for that one and some of the other disc. calibers (7x57, 35 whelen, etc).

[nicholst55]

IMHO, the .450 Marlin is an answer to a non-existent question. Sort of a .45-70 for the intellectually challenged. 'How can we keep dummies from blowing up their weak .45-70s with too-hot ammo?' 'I know, we'll put a belt on the case, and "new & improve" the .45-70!'

But that's just me. I load for too bloody many different cartridges as it is, and I ain't adding any more! In fact, I can see some of them going away.

[dk17hmr]

Its not that I need it, its not that it has anything my 45-70 wont do, it is the fact that it is there in dang near perfect condition and its a heck of a price.

From what I have been reading about the cartridge, it looks like it is going to be a heck of a black bear and deer rifle out to 200 yards.

I think I will try to get it tomorrow, just because. Like I said it looks new and there is a scope already mounted on it......and they are asking $175.

[StrawHat]

As you said in your last post, a heck of a deal.

The 450 is the commercialization of the 458 X 2", aka 458 American, that was brought out by Frank Barnes. First rifle was supposedly a reworked Remington 722. I believe it was developed to have a short actioned 45-70 equivalent. I had a 458 American for a while. It was all it was cracked up to be and then some. In a well stocked rifle it wasn't too bad for recoil.

Good luck with your purchase.

[dk17hmr]

$180 out the door.

Need dies and brass now. What the heck am I going to do with this thing...lol

Probably pick up a box of those Hornady LeverEvolution, to try out today.

[JeffinNZ]

IMHO, the .450 Marlin is an answer to a non-existent question. Sort of a .45-70 for the intellectually challenged.

I agree. That's what I thought when I first saw the release. Same as the .327 that is just a new .32-20 really.

BUT, and here is the clincher for me, these new rounds stimulate the market and keep shooting ticking only and that's a good thing for us all.

[Bullshead]

We cruised S.E. Alaska last year..........talked to a guide in Wrangell......he used a Marlin in .450 as his back-up when he took his clients out to hunt the BIG Alaska bears.

His load was a 475 gr gas checked lead slug!! :-D

[bishopgrandpa]

I have three 450's, one of which is the NEF Ultra. It slugs at .4585 and shoots j-word or cast to at least 1 1/2" or less at 100 yd. I like my Marlins but this one shoots as good. The 450 definitely has it's place for the many who don't cast their own. Remember these guys help pay for our sport when they buy a license or buy ammo. It is an answer to a very definite question. Just depends on who is asking. You got a great buy.