Marlin 450

[armymp71]

I am real close to buying one of these, anyone have one, or know much about the cartridge. I plan to use this without a scope as a backup gun for my brown bear hunt.

[akpls]

armymp71, I have two.  The Marlin 1895M and one built by Clark Custom on a Ruger 77 action.  A couple of seasons ago I used the Marlin  with the factory Hornady load to take a decent moose at 248 yards.  The .450M is basically a "turbo-charged" 45/70.  From its' only factory load (so far) you get about the same performance as the Garrett or Buffalo Bore premium 45/70 loads at close to half the price.  You can grab a box of Hornady factory loads and head out the door, ready for most of what walks in AK.  It is ideal for those who do not reload, but I have reloaded for it with everything from the Barnes 250 gr. X up to .450 gr. solids.  Reloading with the Hornady 350 gr. to factory specs costs me about $12 a box.  With the bolt gun I can use spitzers and push the performance a bit more - until I run out of powder space anyway.  The 45/70 does have a few grains (about 3?) more case capacity, but I doubt if any animal will notice the difference.  Marlin (2), Browning and Winchester are making lever guns for it.  The Winchester Custom Shop will build you a bolt gun, but it's not cheap.  I've also seen a few custom jobs on Mauser or Enfield actions around.  Clark no longer builds their bolt version.  NEF was chambering it in the single shot Ultra-Rifle also.  I'm sure you will like the .450M though there will be those that will try to tell you that you should have went with the 45/70.  I've never regretted going with the .450M.  Good Luck!  akpls

[armymp71]

akpls,

 Sounds good, I have no time to reload so this sounds like the ticket. I do own a 45/70, but right out of the box it was jamming and I now have it at the gunsmith. Truth be known the 45/70 will be done in time for my bear hunt, but I am always looking for a reason to buy another lever action. THis makes #5 in my collection. I have also been eyeing the Winchester model as it looks to be alot lighter. I assume the kick on the 450 is similar to the 45/70, I am sure the porting helps.

[armymp71]

ALL,

 I bought the Marlin 450, has anyone shot a grizzly, or a black bear with one? What was the load used, how did it do? I will be breaking it in this weekend at my cabin.

Rick

[Dand]

I believe a Trooper shot a problem brown bear with a 450 here in Dillingham.  Don't know what load.  It impressed the game biologist who was with the trooper. Don't know any more details - likely not a big bear though.

[Lawdog]

armymp71,

My brother in-law used my custom Win. M70 in .450 Marlin to take his Brown Bear in Alaska two years ago this next fall.  Nice Brown that measured 9 ft. sq..  The load was one of my hand loads using the Barnes 450 gr. X bullet.  First shot smashed the bears left shoulder and took out the lungs.  Second shot put the bear down for good.  Third shot was un-needed but insurance is always prudent.  I have taken three Black Bears with it and all were one shot kills.  Small groups and tight lines to you.  Lawdog
 

[Rmouleart]

I was one of the first to buy the Marlin 450 Guidegun, hunted Rangley Maine on a baited bearhunt, used Hornadys 350gr interlock FP in front of 50gr H4198, CCI mag primers, lee factory crimp(Heavy) 2180fps.
i shot the bruin at 45 yards, took him off his feet, the shot placed right behind the shoulder as the front leg went forward, went in like a .458 dia and came out like a silver dollar and dump all his innards onto the ground, I was shocked to see that, I can't believe got up and ran sixty yards and dropped, trying to get back up i coop da grass using my SRH 44mag, i was impressed with the power of the 450 guidegun, I would use it on any North American big game without any hesitation, the bruin dressed at 250Pd's, very old bear I was told, teeth were worn pretty well.
In all the Marlin 450 performed well, sometime those blackys just have a great will to survive and don't die easy. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.