Author Topic: Anybody hunting with a .450? (Read 1484 times)

K.K. · « **on:** February 15, 2006, 12:17:50 PM »

I was wondering if any of you out there are hunting with the .450 Marlin? I think that it is a fine cartridge, though I have only used it on whitetails, it is obviuosly powerful enough for bigger game. What are you guys hunting with it?

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2006, 01:52:18 PM »

I believe AkPLS got a moose with his a couple of years ago.

-WH-

K.K. · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2006, 04:31:18 PM »

Winter Hawk. I see that you are from Alaska. I'd like to hunt up there in the future. I know that guides usually use a chopped bolt gun in the 338, 375, 458 range, but are you aware of any guides or hunters currently carrying the .450 for the big bears? I am thinking of planning a hunt for brownies. I know that a bolt gun would probably make sense, but I would like to try with the .450. I was wondering what you or anyone else have heard reports on regarding performance. Thanks K.K

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2006, 05:59:31 PM »

Don't have a 450, but do have its ballistic twin, a handloaded .45-70.

Two years ago I was fortunate to take a mule deer buck at 197 lasered yards and a 6x6 bull elk at 213 lasered yards.

Golsovia · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2006, 09:23:33 PM »

Quote from: K.K.

Winter Hawk. I see that you are from Alaska. I'd like to hunt up there in the future. I know that guides usually use a chopped bolt gun in the 338, 375, 458 range, but are you aware of any guides or hunters currently carrying the .450 for the big bears? I am thinking of planning a hunt for brownies. I know that a bolt gun would probably make sense, but I would like to try with the .450. I was wondering what you or anyone else have heard reports on regarding performance. Thanks K.K

The guys down the road who guide for brownies normally carry 375s as their main rifles with 450 Marlin Guide Guns as backup/ special purpose weapons. They're handy as fishing weapons too.

EsoxLucius · « **Reply #5 on:** February 16, 2006, 05:08:28 AM »

Golsovia, what load is used for fish? :wink: I've had a couple of pike on I wished I could have shot.

akpls · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2006, 09:32:09 AM »

Quote from: Winter Hawk

I believe AkPLS got a moose with his a couple of years ago.-WH-

Yup, plugged one at 248 yards with the factory load. Also took a .450 bolt gun (built on a Ruger 77 action) to Namibia this past September and took a nice 54.5" kudu. Also with the factory load. I have some "heavy" loads that I put together with H322 and the 405 gr. Kodiak's that I want to try out on bear this spring. I believe that the .450M will take care of anything you want to hunt in North America.

Wardog1078 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 26, 2006, 10:57:43 AM »

Folks,

I too am considering purchasing either a 45-70 or 450 Marlin. I would really like to know ... "which is a better weapon?". I plan on going to Alaska after Brown Bear (12 footers). These animals usually weight over 1,000 lbs.

Which rifle will be able to put that animal down for sure with the lease number of shots???

Thanks for your advice. :shock:

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2006, 12:51:58 PM »

Wardog,
They are basically the same thing ballistically. Due to all the antique firearms out there in .45-70, the bullet manufacturers loaded the .45-70 to very low pressure. Marlin and Hornady came up with the .450 Marlin so they could load the .45-70 to its potential and not worry about the round being able to be chambered in an old, or any .45-70.

If you buy a .45-70, the ammo from the big outfits like Federal, are basically for deer or plinking. Hot loads are available from the likes of Garett(sp?) and Buffalo Bore, or just handload.
On the other hand, the factory ammo for the .450 Marlin is made by Hornady and is HOT. If you want plinking or deer loads, you pretty much have to handload.

Jim

Wardog1078 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 27, 2006, 01:11:21 PM »

Jim,

Thanks alot. This really helps. But do you think that the 450M would be a better rifle to take to Alaska or would you suggest a different caliber bolt action rifle???

Thanks,

Rev Buck · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2006, 07:46:17 PM »

Wardog. Take the .450. And take me too. I'll take my .450 also. Rev

akpls · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2006, 07:20:48 AM »

I see that Buffalo Bore now has a load for the .450 Marlin. If it's like their other offerings it will be a hot one.

Echo4Lima · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2006, 07:47:33 PM »

Go with the .450!! 3 Mulies, 1 hog, all down for the count right where they were shot!

Coyote, you STILL selling that line? So defensive....

EsoxLucius · « **Reply #13 on:** April 03, 2006, 04:00:11 AM »

Troll

WILD_WEASEL · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2006, 05:48:49 AM »

I think the .450 Marlin would be more popular if it had been a factory offering of the .458 x 2 American. Which used the .458 Winchester Magnum case shortened to 2. As it stands the .450 case cannot be formed from any existing case I am aware of. However, what do I know, I thought the .35 Whelen would be popular number too when it was offered as a factory load and chambering in the late 80s. In as much as it was based on a necked up 30-06 case. I myself own the Marlin 1895 S-S rifle in 45-70.

Echo4Lima · « **Reply #15 on:** April 05, 2006, 11:03:46 AM »

I have to admit to being surprised the .450 didnt gain more popularity then it has. But even the 45-70 has only a niche. I do know Winchester made brass, but, as far as I know, never publicly marketed it. There are a few like Thompson and BFR (?) chambering the .450 and I see Buffalo-Bore making some rounds now.

The GG is very popular. The .450's recoil, even with porting, maybe why it doesnt seem more popular. I do know that the .450's are gone out of the gun stores around here N. CA. as soon as they come in.

Might if Marlin does make the .450 SS 22" barrel thats supposed to be available June or July. That will take a lot of the recoil and be more pleasurable to shoot. SS is popular. Wonder what the price will be?

EsoxLucius, have you hugged your 45-70 today?

K.K · « **Reply #16 on:** April 06, 2006, 04:34:06 PM »

I like my .450 It has been proven on big bears, and some of the new hot rod ammo from Garret and Buffalo Bore should make it that much more so. I may mount a scout set up on mine this year. It now wears XO Ghost Ring sights. I'd like to try that new Hornady ammo if it ever hits the shelves. (I only hunt deer and black bear with it so far).

Echo4Lima · « **Reply #17 on:** April 07, 2006, 11:33:44 AM »

Talked to a guy yesterday. He told me Browning is chambering thier lever in .450 & the new rifle by Marlin (on thier site) is a 24" barrel. I'm interested what the velosities will be outta that.

Friend of mine hit a running hog at around 150 yds. Says it "looked like a train derailing" sliding in the mud upright.

K.K · « **Reply #18 on:** April 07, 2006, 01:58:32 PM »

That Browning should be interesting. I belive that most anything hit well with the .450 will no leave a long blood trail. In fact, none of the seven deer I've taken took one step.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #19 on:** April 07, 2006, 04:41:22 PM »

Quote from: Echo4Lima

....
Coyote, you STILL selling that line? So defensive....

You lost me on that one, I have no idea what you are talking about. But perhaps its because your post reflects your own mental state more than mine...

Dee · « **Reply #20 on:** April 07, 2006, 05:18:02 PM »

I shoot an 1895 Cowboy in 45-70 and like the 26 inch barrel. I put a fiber optic front sight on it though because I pick up on it quicker in the brush. All I have killed with it of any size though was an upset feral hog at about 35 feet. Shot the hog in the face looking directly at me. Tried to shoot it between the eyes but was off about an inch on center. The bullet exited at
the back of the right ham. End to end with an instant kill. Hog weighed between 350 and 400 pounds. The bullet was a 405gr hard cast at 1750fps. I'll try anything in North America with that load. Probably most of what's in Africa if given the chance, who knows. I would probably move up to a 500 grain solid for the cape buff's and stuff though. Be a hoot to try it. I'm with the other guy shooting the 45-70. If you reload you can match the 450 marlin or load down for deer and such. :wink: