Anyone have a 450 Marlin barrel

[IC Cowboy]

I have a 45-70 and am awaiting a 450 Marlin barrel from H&R. So does someone out there have the 450 Marlin and if so how do like it? From everything I have read on Factory loads the Pressure tolerances are higher since it is nothing more than a Modern 45-70 and the ammo companies are loading it as such, I realize that a 45-70 can be handloaded to perform equally. Just want some pros cons and General Opinions on the 450 Marlin

[KYsquirrelsniper]

My father bought one of the H&R 450s back when they first came out, and he loves it for close range whitetail hunting. One reason he likes it so much is because there's usually no tracking involved

I've shot the rifle quite a bit myself and the thing that suprised me the most was the accuracy. H&R/NEFs commonly produce good accuracy for being a cheap gun, but usually not outstanding groups. On top of that, a straight-walled cartridge shooting a big blunt-nosed bullet usually doesn't result in amazing accuracy. However, I was able to print several 1.25" 3-shot groups at 100yds with the gun shooting the Hornady factory ammo with a 350gr JFP. Of course 1.25" groups aren't spectacular, but that's a heck of a lot better than the 3"+ groups I was expecting when he bought the rifle. Maybe he just got a good one, but if all of them will perform similarly, IMO it would make a better choice than the lever guns in 450.

As for the 450 cartridge itself, I like it, but it can't do anything a hot 45/70 won't. Truthfully, for a reloader, there's little use for the 450. However, for those who must stick to reasonably priced factory ammo (not Buffalo Bore and such), the 450 makes a lot of sense.

[Extremesolo]

I have a 450 and I really like it.  Since I do not reload I bought it over the 45/70.  The recoil is stout even with a limbsave recoil pad, but it is accurate.  I am currently in the process of putting a new scope on mine with a bit more eye relief.  The bushnell banner has a scope with tremendous eye relief for a budget minded shooter.  I do not shoot it very much so this scope should fit my needs.  You have probably read about people not buying a 450 because the ammo is expensive but I have found that is not the case.  I bought mine from the sportsman's guide for something like $22.50/box last year.  Most 45/70 loads that are anywhere near comparable to the 450 are at least that much or more.  Also the new leverevolution bullet looks very promising if you can find any.