Marlin 1895 45-70 or 450 Marlin

[338-06imp.]

I am thinking about a new rifle ( Marlin 1895 ) and I was wanting to get some input about cal.( 45-70 or 450 marlin ) I am very partial to 45-70s and I don't have any first hand knowledge of the 450 marlin. My main purpose will be deer hunting and fun I do reload for the 45-70.

[frizzellr]

I am very partial to 45-70s and I don't have any first hand knowledge of the 450 marlin. My main purpose will be deer hunting and fun I do reload for the 45-70.

Pretty much answered your own question there. The 450 Marlin is nothing more than a hot-loaded 45-70 wearing a different case. I really don't think there is room for it and the 45-70 in the world and since the 45-70 s here to stay....

[DANTHEHUNTER]

I have a 45-70 and its fun to shoot . If you dont want to reload the buffalo bore and garrett cartridges are as hot as they get . I also have shot PMC rounds and they are pretty good too. Have fun !!!

[NE Hunter]

By reloading for the .450 Marlin can it be "improved"? If not I'd go with the .45-70.

[akbound]

They are both very good rounds and in their best factory loads will just about duplicate each others performance. A big advantage for the .45-70 is its availability. Plus you can start a less experienced shooter with the .45-70 factory loads intended for the old trapdoors. They have much less recoil and muzzle blast than the hot .45-70's or the .450 Marlins. Also one other consideration.....the Guide Gun in Stainless Steel is only available in the .45-70. The .450 Marlin only comes in blue steel.

Other than those differences...they are both great cartridges!

Hope you have fun selecting!

[frizzellr]

By reloading for the .450 Marlin can it be "improved"?

Actually it is pretty much maxed out as a factory load.

[James B]

Frizz is right on the money.

[DANTHEHUNTER]

I think that the garrett and buffalo bore are almost the same as the .450

[Nomercy]

The .450Marlin is the modern arm shooter-but non-reloader's version of the .45-70...i.e., if you're shooting a modern arm, like my favorite, the Marlin 1895's, the .45-70 can actually surpass the .450 in power for a handloader, while typical factory .45-70 rounds are loaded to fairly low levels in deference to old trapdoor's and rolling blocks that weren't made to withstand the pressures that modern day firearms are capable of...a non-handloader either has to pay premium prices for Garret or buffalo bore "high power" .45-70 rounds, or buy a .450M.

I'm a .45-70 shooter, always will be, I've had a .450M to try one on, but I wasn't impressed by it-like I said, a reloader can get superior performance from the .45-70...here's the skinny, Non-reloaders: get the .450 because "standard" factory rounds give the same performance as the "premium" .45-70rounds.....Reloaders: the .45-70 can be pushed well beyond the .450M (especially with heavier bullets), and .45-70 brass can be had much cheaper than .450M's-which will likely remain true indefinately, although the gap will lessen as the .450M becomes more common.

[handloader1]

I would go with the 450 Marlin caliber in your situation since you are going for a Marlin Model 1895. According to handloading data I found a 45-70 Marlin (1895) pushes a Hornady 350 gr. RN 1900 f/s. A 450 Marlin pushes a SPR 350 gr. FNHP 2067 f/s. If you want to beat the 350 Marlin's ballistics one needs to use a 45-70 in a Rugar #1, Browning 78, Wickliffe, or Siamese Mauser bolt action to handle full pressure handloads loads.

As far as I can tell most factory loads (except Buffalo Bore Ammo) for the 45-70 Gov. are loaded to withstand (Trap Door) pressures, and do not have the advantage of full pressure loads due to safety factors, so factory Marlin 450 loads are faster. Good luck.