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45-70 or 450 ?

Stormtrooper 13Stormtrooper 13 Member Posts: 236 ✭✭✭
edited August 2003 in General Discussion
Trying to decide . Gun will be a 1895 22" barrel (unless some people are for the 18 1/2 " ) . I don't hand load .
Posted on expert forum 1 response [V] . So I'll ask here .

qman_lr_105t.jpg


Only the strong shall survive !!!

Comments

  • rldowns3rldowns3 Member Posts: 6,096
    edited November -1
    I say 45-70. But that's just my opinion. I like the cartridge because there is lots of room for experimentation in that huge case. Ammo is also cheap and readily available as well as reloading components.

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  • stanmanstanman Member Posts: 3,052
    edited November -1
    It occurs to me that I have never seen the .450 ammo for sale anywhere. Even in the catalogs,,, at least not that I've noticed.
    It also occurs to me that I see 45-70 ammo EVERYWHERE!
    As I understand it, the .450 won't do anything that the 45-70 won't do when firing loads tailored to the inherent strength of the Marlin leverguns.
    I guess I can't think of a single reason to buy the .450.
    Unless you 've got a thing for belted cases??
  • searcher5searcher5 Member Posts: 13,511
    edited November -1
    I bought one in 45-70. I liked the fact that the ammo has been around for 100+ years. As mentioned before, the 45-70 is extremely versatile, the ammo is common and relatively inexpensive.
    There are plenty of components and info around for re-loading.

    Proud member of the NRA

    If it ain't broke-it ain't ours!!!
  • BoomerangBoomerang Member Posts: 4,513
    edited November -1
    Go 45-70. The longer the barrel the better.

    Boomer

    "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member
  • Stormtrooper 13Stormtrooper 13 Member Posts: 236 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sticking with 22" . Gonna be used for brush .

    qman_lr_105t.jpg


    Only the strong shall survive !!!
  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    In the 1895 Marlin the 450 Marlin cannot do anything that the 45-70 can't do with good reloads. As stated before, 45-70 ammo is available in almost every Mom&Pop shop in the nation.

    AlleninAlaska
    Delta Firearms & Supplies
    http://canadianfirearmsexchange.com

    Buy firearms on the installment plan and Play while you Pay.

    aglore@gci.net
  • Swamp ThingSwamp Thing Member Posts: 33 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I WOULD GO WITH THE 45-70. I HAVE THE MARLIN 45-70 GUIDE GUN, WITH THE PORTED BARREL AND I LOVE IT FOR THE BRUSH. IT'S GOOD OUT TO ONE HUNDRED YARDS. YOU CAN GET THE BULLETS AT JUST ABOUT ANY GUN STORE.

    COCKED,LOCKED,READY TO ROCK!
  • bambihunterbambihunter Member Posts: 10,792 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I looked very heavily into this after I sold my Marlin .444 and was going to replace it, or buy one of the above cartridge models, I was going to opt for the short barrel since most of my shots are well within 100 yards and this would be my brush gun. Anyway, with all the research I did, the simple answer was if you don't reload go with the .450 Marlin, it was designed from the start to be a full-power version of the 45-70. Many major manufacturers don't load 'em full power because of them not working in the very old guns. Anyway, if you reload (you said you didn't, but didn't know if this was a possibility or maybe a friend does) then the 45-70 is the better choice as components and loaded ammo is available everywhere. Don't overlook the .444 Marlin round also, it is in the mid-45-70 loading level, recoil is minimal over a .44 mag carbine (which is what I've used since I gave up my .444). They are more common than the .450 but of course not near as powerful.
    Fanatic collector of the 10mm auto.
  • nitrouznitrouz Member Posts: 1,820 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Which caliber got rid of the Buffalo?

    I'd say it has to be proven.

    jesus2000x.jpg?mtbrand=NS_US

    "He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one."
    - Jesus Christ in Luke 22:36
  • Stormtrooper 13Stormtrooper 13 Member Posts: 236 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've always liked the 45-70 , but the 450 got me thinking .

    Why can't you play with the balistics like u can the 45-70 ?

    qman_lr_105t.jpg


    Only the strong shall survive !!!
  • bambihunterbambihunter Member Posts: 10,792 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You can stormtroop, but it's pretty much maxed out... You might want to check out Marlin's site. There's plenty of good reading there and you might even want to sign up for Marlin Talk which is a discussion group just about Marlin guns.
    http://www.marlinfirearms.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi

    Seriously, if you're interested in one of these check out the .444 Marlin as well. It outperforms most factory-loaded 45-70 ammo and is available at most sporting goods stores and Wal-Mart. At this point it seems more widely available than the .450 Marlin. My Shooter's Bible doesn't show the .450 Marlin yet, but the .444 has 2 different loadings listed for it.

    At the muzzle a 240 grain bullet has:
    2350 fps. 100 yards: 1815
    2942 ft-lb. 100 yards: 1755

    For 265 grain bullet at the muzzle:
    2335 fps. 100 yards: 1913
    3208 ft-lb. 100 yards: 2153

    None of the factory-loaded 45-70 listings even come close to that. I know for a fact however, that it can be handloaded clear past that. And again the .450 Marlin was designed to be a full-power (as in handload) version of the 45-70, I got that info from a moderator on the Marlin's site.
    Good luck, personally, I don't think you can go wrong with any of those cartridges listed...
    Fanatic collector of the 10mm auto.
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