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

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

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.