My first year hunting with my 450 marlin, I got invited to hunt some very thick woods in North Louisiana with my brother and other family. seems like we all had the same Idea to take the Marlin lever guns. A 1894 cowboy in 44 mag, a 30-30, and my 450 "guide gun" went with us to our respective stands. I was on a tripod stand overlooking a 4 wheeler trail on a fire lane with about 75 yd max of good visiablity. after waiting a few hours someone on the neighboring lease let loose some dogs. I could hear them coming my way so I stood up to get a better view. I saw 3 does come up through a draw but could not get the XS sight blade on any of them to get off a clean shot. Just as they had past, I heard something off to my Left and I saw a set of horns up and over the very thick underbrush. I knew he didn't know I was there and was just hopping along on a straight line to the well grown up fire lane and the only open spot, the 4 wheeler trail. He wasn't really running. But, more of trotting to get away from all the noise the lease over. I figured out where he was going to cross and took my lead and As soon as his front feet hit the open trail I let him have it with the 350gr factory sp. in the front shoulder. His front legs went out from under him and he did a complete end over flip and landed facing the way he came. didn't hardly move after that. a nice almost 200# 5 point went to the smoke house. I got some great Cajun 50/50 smoked sausage from him. My family and I all shared the sausage. My brother's and my kids love it for breakfast. they will turn their noses up at regular pork sausage from the store. I guess I kind of spoiled them that way! Hope I get another this year. going to try to handload for my 1894C in 44 mag and the 450M as soon as I get my reloading room set up.

Good job... the 450 Marlin kind of folds them up!