I'm going to have to buy a .450 Marlin to test my ammo in. I have been using two Marlins and a Ruger #1 to test my 45-70 ammo. WHich .450 do I buy, the BLR or the Marlin. The Marlin 45-70s have done a fantastic job with the 350 grain and 460grain load on everything from antelope to bison. I will begin testing the .450 in a month or two. Which .450 any opinions? Here is a doe with my LTD-V and the 350grain at 93 yards. She never took a step after impact.reflex264http://www.hunt101.com/img/111472.jpg

Good job on the venison.

Don't have much to offer on the Browning, but I just got back from sighting in a new Marlin 1895MR (shooting Hornady 350 factory loads) and thought you might like to know how pleased I am with the results.

After getting sighted in (Leupold 2-7x33), I put up a fresh target to try the first 3 shot group, which came in at 1.5 inches center-to-center. The baby's a shooter! My father-in-law is a Winchester fan & collector, and he was favorably impressed.

The kick wasn't bad at all. I've been hunting with a Gamemaster 760 in .30-06 for the past 30 years, and didn't notice enough difference to give me pause.

Reflex-I would get the Marlin for your purposes.You just might enjoy the handiness of the Guide Gun.As for testing,it is alway's nice for a perspective buyer to see Guide Gun velocities and not have to guess the 75-100 fps differences.

That was the big reason I liked Rick Jaimeson's article on the .450 so much.He shot them in the 24 inch test barrel and then out of the Guide Gun for exact velocity without guess work.

Have a good one.Jayco.

Reflex,

No experience with the Browning. Love my Marlin 450 Guide Gun. Super accurate. The Hornady 350 gr FP and CPB 460 gr will both shoot 1 1/4" at 100 yds. I have gotten 1" groups on occasion. Now, the question of which barrel length 18 or 22". Hard to say who owns more of one or the other. Rick Jamison's article, on the 450, didn't find a drastic drop in velocity from 24 to 18 inches. I guess from a buyers view I would like to see advertized velocity from a 18" bbl. If I looked at that velocity spec. and owned a longer bbl, I would know that I'm going to get better speed. On the other hand, if the velocity was listed for a longer barrel than I had, I get nothing but down side. Strictly a mind game but that's advertising. If you need any ammo testers, give me a call. I'm still trying to develope my 460 gr load. Not entirely pleased with H322. Still have to try H4198 when I find some.

Have used the Browning in other calibers, but not in .450. Never had any trouble with the Browning, nice guns in all respects (just don't look traditional).

Marlin is goint to be the more popular chaoice, but basically barrel length for barrel length, can feel pretty confident in the ballistics...always some gun to gun variation, but it's in the ball park.

They handle "funny"...just don't have the weight forward feel of the Marlin. That may be distracting, esp. if you switch between front heavy rifles and this one (the rifle in your picture is definatly a git forward balancecd). I've only shot two, a 22/250 and a .308, neither generating a whoile lot of recoil.

No experiance with the browning is what I hear. It might have been better to have chambered the 45/70 instead.The cost for brass being the factor.
The plus side would be the clip instead of the tube feed .The down side the BLR is more $$$$.
my o2 cents

They are both great guns, but the fit, and finish of the Browning will be a bit higher, and the of course Browning is a stronger design being that it has a rotating bolt (moot point in 450), and the box magazine can be handy. But it costs more. You can pick up a stainless steel Marlin for less than a BLR, and that would be an ideal brush gun. They are both quality reliable firearms, may have to just toss a coin. My personal tastes run this way- 450 Marlin + BLR both are new designs, 45/70 + 1895 Marlin both traditional old school. If I ever get a BLR it would be in 450 Marlin. I you just need an accurate but affordable rifle in 450 Marlin you may want to consider one of these H&R Ultras:
http://www.hunt101.com/img/114161.jpg (http://www.hunt101.com/?p=114161&c=500&z=1)
http://budsgunshop.com/Store/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_262/products_id/8116
Best bang for the buck...

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. It looks like the Marlins have it. That H & R is also a thought. For those interested current plans (allways subject to change) are for .450 loads using 380grain, 460grain and 550grain bullets. I need to get with Marshall on his bullets also. Everything I have heard about them is good. Just a added note for those interested in velocity vs. barrel length. In testing the 350grain 45-70 loads I saw velocity differances goning from a guide gun to a LTD-V to a test barrel vary 300fps. The test barrel was 24" and generated the highest velocity. The guide guns were running them out at between 1950 and 2000fps. reflex264

If one has a good, strong 45-70, why would there be a need for a .450 and have to live with a single source of brass?

If one has a good, strong 45-70, why would there be a need for a .450 and have to live with a single source of brass?

The cost of brass and Hornady only made mine the 45/70 Guide.

Hey Blackhawk44 and Harry Snipe. The reason for buying a .450 is to run ammo tests on ammo that will be comercialy availible later on. I have been developing differant loads for the 45-70 for the last year and as soon as I get done with final testing will start on the .450 and .444 Marlin. I don't have a .450 right now so I have to come up with one. I usually have several field testers for each load so I only need one .450 for my own use. I use .45-70s for my own use most of the time. I have 3 of my own and love all of them. reflex264

reflex264- A few things to keep in mind:
1- I believe H&R has discontinued this 450 Marlin chambering so you might want to pick one up quick before the few remaining sell out.
2- For a test gun this platform may be ideal since it comes with a compensated barrel so test shooting session should last longer with less recoil.
3- Another great cast bullet you may want to consider are the CRATER bullets made by Jae Bok Young.
http://www.competitor-pistol.com/jb%20home.html
Great article attached, read especially pages 7-8 pertinant info on CRATER bullets.
http://www.competitor-pistol.com/45-70%20page1.html Been hearing nothing but great things about them.
I think you have a great idea, a good nitch market for your product. I have wondered why no one has come out with heavier commercial loads in 450 Marlin, the one commercial 350 load seems limiting for a cartridge with so much potential. Best wishes on your endeavor.

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. It looks like the Marlins have it. That H & R is also a thought. For those interested current plans (allways subject to change) are for .450 loads using 380grain, 460grain and 550grain bullets. I need to get with Marshall on his bullets also <snip>. reflex264

Was this the gun made by BROWNING you were talking about ?

http://images.gunsamerica.com/upload/976417759-1.jpg


Just hear me out before you by the Marlin please !

Ok now .You know i would never say DONT BUY A MARLIN.
And i still think marlins a great gun BUT theres a reason i want you to think this through . let say you buy the browning and later on you think to your self gee i sure would like to try something bigger like a ( 50-110 )
Well i guess your going to be putting out about 5 grand for one
OR you could send your Browning in to Dave Clay and have him put a new barrel on it and do a little reciver work and waa la a new gun
Its the same with the Marlin though you could send it away at a later date and get it upgraded to a 475 or 50 Alaskan but no to a 50-110
It's just a passing thought :D

Pottsy

Hey Blackhawk44 and Harry Snipe. The reason for buying a .450 is to run ammo tests on ammo that will be comercialy availible later on. I have been developing differant loads for the 45-70 for the last year and as soon as I get done with final testing will start on the .450 and .444 Marlin. I don't have a .450 right now so I have to come up with one. I usually have several field testers for each load so I only need one .450 for my own use. I use .45-70s for my own use most of the time. I have 3 of my own and love all of them. reflex264

Hey refle 26 :rolleyes:
At least get the spelling right or just stick with the first name.

Why are you testing ammo for the 450M? Are you related to the firearm industy?You say you have several field testers.
Would you then share some of your findings with the 45/70?
Snipe

http://images.gunsamerica.com/upload/976417759-1.jpg


The Browning 81 BLR is not suitable for chambering the 50-110. You are probably thinking of the Browning or Winchester 1886. The BLR is not good for cycling rimmed cartridges, especially one with the rim diameter of the 50-110.

http://a1460.g.akamai.net/f/1460/1339/6h/www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/community/gun_inventory/images/kansas_city/winchester/228507_win1886pln_01_kc.jpg
Winchester 1886

Since you are bound and determined, handle both before you order. I believe the quality of finish and handling of the Browning will win out, besides everyone has a Marlin. You could even use spitzers (LaFranck and Barnes).

If you want a good cheap rifle then the Marlin is the way to go. You need to do somthing with the front site because it will shoot low, and you may have a spot in the barrel were the barrel was dove tailed for the mag tube.
Or you could go for the NEF single shot and spare your change.
Then you could spend a little more on a browning BLR, or the browning single shot .
Or go Winchester 86 and the 45/70.

THE DEER IS NOTGOING TO BE ANY DEADER THAN IT IS NOW WITH THE 450M OR THE 45/70.

I BOUGHT THE GUIDE WITH THE MONEY I COULD AFFORD.
Happy

The LTDV looks to be a nice rifle. But so is the winchester 86 and the Browning single shot, and the BLR.
Same bullet and the deer is still dead.
If I had the money I buy the Win 86, but had to settle for the guide. Not unhappy with the gun.
Happy

Sorry about the spelling Harry Snippe. I am starting my own ammo company (it's taking longer than I expected) and hope to be up and running before hunting seasons start. I am more than happy to share data on the 45-70. I have been working on long range hunting loads and many other things for this great cartridge. I have the 460 grain loads capible of shooting game at 250 yards worked out and will soon have a load with a 380 grain jfp for the 45-70. The LTD-V is a great rifle. Might be the best sporting rifle I have ever laid hand on. 9 shots and capible of sub-minute accuracy with several loads. I love the styling and feel of it. Here is a doe I shot at 184 yards with my Ruger #1 and the 460 grain load.reflex264http://www.hunt101.com/img/082511.JPG

Ganjiro: I have been communicating with Mr. Young and hope to be testing with the 550 crater in April. This will be for the .45-70 and .450 Marlin. reflex264

reflex264 ::: Stop shooting all the deer gezz leave some ! for us poor old guys

Pottsy

I left a few. My son was the big deer getter this time. He killed 7. reflex264

I shot a doe through some brush and caught her in the back . The intire lungs and the bottom of the heart were gone . One clean hole in and one clean hole out plus some of the insides came through the exit hole. So I think the sierra 300 gr did it's job.
One lad at the range casts his own lead and he showed me a hollow point he made.Now the hollow point lead bullet would expandand dump it's energy inside the animal. That I believe the bullet could have done better than run all the distance inside and not expanded.
I will test this seirra on a moose and bear and see what happens.
I do not think a bigger slug is required, because you do not really need a bullet to do end for end on a deer.
So the deer that you have shot with the 45/70, what happened when the bullet hit? Do you think a bigger slug would have helped you to harvest the animal? The 45/70 bullet can be compared to a 3006 Hard point, only your making a bigger hole. The size of the hole is bigger in a deer and it is not going any where.
I would like to see a flat point hollow point slam into a moose. ;)

Happy

Hey Harry Snippe. The impact was dramatic to say the least. When the bullet hit a dust cloud surrounded her body for a second. She did run 20 yards but one of her lungs was liquid and by the time she fell it was all over her off side. There is alot to be said for a large meplat. This load is intended for game up to water buffalo or cape buffalo. I had been working with bullet drop and thought this was a good time to try a longer shot. It is a bit overkill on deer if there is such a thing because there is nothing in a deer's body that will stop this bullet. I have been testing the Sierra 300 jhp and expect to send a test lot to the lab in the near future. I have already been testing with the 300 Rem jhp and the Hornady 300 jhp. I killed a nice 8 pt with the Hornady. It never took a step after impact. I'll post a picture. reflex264

Here is the Hornady test. 300jhp @ 2130fps. reflex264http://www.hunt101.com/img/111470.jpg

Here is the Hornady test. 300jhp @ 2130fps. reflex264http://www.hunt101.com/img/111470.jpg


Hey !!
The deer are getting bigger.
What do you do with all the deer you harvest?

It is never a problem were I live since we never have more than one a deer and it does not stay in the freezer too long.

I will agree the 45/70 is over kill on deer. But if you hit a twig on the way the bullet may tumble , but still down it's mark.
I am waiting to get a shot were I can put two down with the one shot.That is through one chest and into an other.
The 45/70 is the cartridge to do it all.
Happy

We eat most of the deer we kill, normaly around 10 -12 per year. We also give some to the needy. I have a friend that processes deer. We take a few and have them processed and give them to less fortunate people. It works out very well. We have already ate around 3 deer since muzzleloader season. I killed a nice 8pt will my smoke pole this time and a large doe with it also. The venison in the freezer is going down quick. reflex264