Author Topic: Lever Action in 50 Alaskan ---- TOO MUCH??? (Read 6339 times)

JHT · « **on:** December 17, 2006, 03:50:54 AM »

I'll be the first to admit that I enjoy using and hunting with large ungainly cartridges.

I have not seen interest in the mighty 50 Alaskan in a suitable lever action rifle in this Forum.

You must have both positive and negative input regarding this combination. For those who favor the combination, perhaps you have a smith or two that you feel is more than qualified to do a first rate job on putting this type of package together.

Thanks,

Jay

Mac11700 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2006, 05:49:52 AM »

I've heard he does good work...http://www.leveractions.com/leveractions.htm

Mac

Modoc ED · « **Reply #2 on:** December 17, 2006, 07:06:25 AM »

In the March 2005 (No.218) Rifle Magazine, there is an article by Brian Pearce titled "One of the Last Alaskan Sourdoughs" about a fellow named Ed Stevenson and I believe there is mention of the fact that a Model 95 Winchester Lever Action had been converted to .50 Alaskan. If not, the Model 95 in .375 Scovill, .411 Hawk, 9.3x62 and the Browning version of the Model 1995 in 45-70 were discussed at length. The .411 Hawk is a necked up version of the 30-06 to accomodate a .411 bullet with an increase in the powder load. Regardless, the original Winchester Model 95, the Browning version of the Winchester 95 (produced in 1984) and the Winchester Model 95 produced in recent years in Japan for Winchester are capable of handling the .50 Alaskan at least strength wise.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2006, 07:27:14 AM »

Love them and if i was to have one built it would be by ben forkin or dave clements.

coyote trapper1928 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2006, 08:15:21 AM »

What is a .50 Alaskan?

Lone Star · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2006, 10:17:16 AM »

The .50 Alaskan was developed by Harold Johnson of Coopers Landing, Alaska. He used the M-71 Winchester for the original IIRC and used a surplus .50 BMG barrel. I used to stop by his shop when I went fishing on the Kenai, it was great fun and quite an experience. Anyway, the .50 is based on an expanded .348 case, and originally used a cut-off 750-grain BMG bullet seated backwards in the case for a 450-grain bullet at ca. 2100 fps. It was claimed that Harold never recoved a bullet from any moose or brownie he shot with the big .50. Wild West Guns in Anchorage makes the conversion on Marlins I believe.

.

fknipfer · « **Reply #6 on:** December 20, 2006, 08:36:24 AM »

I,m not sure I have guts enough to shoot a .50 Alaskan. I killed a whitetail buck two years ago with a Model 1300 Winchester 12guage with 3" Magnum Winchester slugs. I have to admit the deer went down like a rock. That was enough kick to last me a lifetime I now hunt in shotgun season areas with a 20guage, much nicer. I can't imagine the kick from a .50 Alaskan and don't ever intend to.

fknipfer

gould · « **Reply #7 on:** December 20, 2006, 10:42:51 AM »

jknipfer your 12 guage witha 3 inch slug has more felt recoil then the 50 Alaskan does. Think of it as a health charge in a 45/70.

tanoose · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2006, 11:25:37 AM »

Doug Turnbull has them but there pricey you can checkout his work at www.turnbullrestoration.com

Modoc ED · « **Reply #9 on:** December 21, 2006, 05:51:40 AM »

I picked up my "RIFLE Sporting Firearms Journal" magazine (January 2007 issue) yesterday and there is an article in it called "Turnbull's Classic Winchesters". One of the rifles discussed was what Turnbull calls his Big Bore Classic "Thumper Model". It is a Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe, 16" Full Octagon Barrel in 50 Express (50-110). This round uses a 50 Alaskan Case and propells a 600+ grain cast bulletat just over 1,200 fps. DANG!!! I'll bet that gives a bit of a punch.

leverfan · « **Reply #10 on:** December 22, 2006, 05:03:59 PM »

Maybe Wilbe Lead will chime in on this thread. He has a Wild West Guns Co-pilot in .50 Alaskan that he had built several years ago. It's based on a Marlin 95, and it's a take down rifle with a ported barrel. I believe it's 18" or 20". I've shot it off the bench, and recoil was not bad at all. I shouldn't have forgot to put my earplugs back in, though. Those ports remind you to use ear protection, that's for sure.

Some folks have questioned using the Marlin as the basis for this round, but Wilbe's rifle is holding up pretty darn well, and he shoots it quite a bit for load development and fun. Wild West Guns did quality work.

JHT · « **Reply #11 on:** December 22, 2006, 09:49:25 PM »

Thanks to all of you for your input. Today I spoke with a young lady at Wild West Guns and picked up some additional information. While I still have not decided what route to take it sure is an interesting ride just trying to decide. Leverfan, for those who contend that the Marlin is insufficient for the .50 Alaskan what gun do they suggest is adequate? The reason that I ask is that I have been lead to believe that Marlins are robustly built. Does anyone know if an early Browning BLR can be utilized, assuming that the action is of sufficient length? Thanks,

Jay

JHT · « **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2006, 12:47:12 AM »

Wilbe Lead,

Leverfan, thought that you may be able to contribute to this thread do to your hands on experience with a .50 Alaskan Co-Pilot by Wild West Guns, based upon a Marlin 95 with either an 18" or 20" ported barrel, with the desireable take down feature.

I would like to know how hot you shoot this gun, how many full rounds have been used, has the take down feature loosened up at all, has the accuracy with various loads been acceptable and finally any and all other points that you believe would be of import.

Thanks and Happy Holiday to All,

Jay

leverfan · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2006, 06:05:23 PM »

Well, I talked to Wilbe the other day, and he still doesn't have net access at his new house, so I don't expect him to chip in on this thread. The newer 1886, and model 71 Winchesters both make fine candidates for conversion to .50 Alaskan. Dave Scoville mentioned favoring one over the other, but I can't remember which one for sure. They were both originally chambered for rounds that have the same rim, case head diameter, and pressure of the .50 Alaskan. The '86 was used for even longer .50 caliber rounds.

The Browning BLR doesn't have the correct bolt face to handle a big fat rimmed cartridge, nor is it made to feed rimmed cartridges.

kevin.303 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2006, 07:27:37 PM »

it'll work in an original '95? hmmm... it's going to be hard to decide what caliber to make that project gun

JHT · « **Reply #15 on:** December 30, 2006, 08:10:56 PM »

I've given the subject of caliber and make/model selection a lot of consideration in light of the information that has been offered from this thread and other reasearch. While not finalized, I am inclined to believe that I will go with the .50 Alaskan in one of the Marlin models. I will wait some additional time before finally deciding, as I continue to do some last minute research and review any additional input from this thread. I will post my decision and then post some pictures of the finished project. Thanks guys.

JHT

454Puma · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2007, 03:42:34 PM »

Well I can't see the need to get one! I already have a 50 cal ML so I don't need or want one in a lever as my 454 Puma is filling the BB bill!

wcf3030 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2007, 08:37:17 AM »

Get what makes you happy.
Life is short.
http://levergun.com/Marlin/index.html Read this.
I have a lever he built. Awesome

JHT · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2007, 06:42:01 PM »

wcf3030,

A most impressive study no doubt. It may take me several times of reread to absorb all of the valuable information that it offers.

wcf3030, thanks for transferring the mini-library of information.

JHT

wcf3030 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 07, 2007, 04:43:48 AM »

Quote from: JHT on January 06, 2007, 06:42:01 PM

wcf3030,

A most impressive study no doubt. It may take me several times of reread to absorb all of the valuable information that it offers.

wcf3030, thanks for transferring the mini-library of information.

JHT

Your welcome.

Warhawk · « **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2007, 07:07:17 PM »

I'm a big fan of the 45/70 cartridge. I have two Marlins and a Browning 1886 (on the way, just bought it) in 45/70.

I also have a Marlin 336 that will someday go to Regan Nonneman for conversion to 50 Alaskan.

You can find some folks who have them at the Leverguns forum and on Marlin Owners.

bigdoggy · « **Reply #21 on:** February 19, 2007, 09:21:26 AM »

Mic, Mcphearson can make a 50 alaskan from a marlin 45-70. He also makes a 510 kodiak express from a marlin 45-70. It is a 50 alaskan, except it is 23/100ths longer. It has real power out of a lever gun. It wiil launch a 450 grain bullet at 2335 ft/sec for around 5400 ft.lbs of energy. There is quite a bit of modifications that has to be done to it, but what power. I have one that is supposed to be completed by the end of March. Mic is a little behind schedule because his wife is very sick right now. He is easy to work with and a good guy. I believe he charges around 3,000 dollars for the conversion on you gun, and there is about a 10 month lead time. Cost will also depend on the finish. My gun is getting the robar NP3 dull silver finish put on it. Gary Reeder of Reeder custom guns also makes 50 alaskans on lever action Marlins. He is another top notch gun guy out of Arizona.

K.K · « **Reply #22 on:** February 20, 2007, 11:35:00 AM »

I say go for it! I love obscure cartrdges. Heck, I sometimes hunt groundhogs with my .450 Marlin. Like the old adage goes, "There's no such thing as too dead!"