i agree with the two fellas before me....
45-70 is better choice...cheaper ammo, more likely to find 45-70 than 450 marlin if one is out "in the sticks"....more reloading data (if one is inclined to reload...), and i feel 450 marlin really offers nothing that 45-70 does.
too much kick in these light rifles...i got a 270 Win Handi recently...
PERFECT
unless you are after brown bear, this is the way to go...270 Win is enough for all of our hoofed friends, flat enough for pronghorn and ammo is everywhere. there is a reason that Jack O'Connor felt this was our best "mountain rifle" ....no one should hunt brown bears with a handi anyway (ooops , 1 shot, miss, rawwwhhhh!!!!...wind up dinner for ma and her two cubs...)
just my .02
brown trout.