Well, I just got a really good raise at work so I used it as a great reason to treat myself to a new rifle and the wife didn't say a word. It was tough deciding what to get as I already had 2 .270s a 300 wsm a 20, 16 and 12 ga as well as numerous .22s and pistols but I finally came to a conclusion. Seeing as I bear hunt every year and have some decent mountains to trek I wanted something that was a pretty big bore and was smaller so I could pack it. I also didn't own a single lever action so I got myself a marlin 450. I shot it yesterday and it didn't kick near as bad as I thought it would. Does anyone else have any experience with these and if so what are your thoughts.

I bought one for hog hunting and I love it. I would not hesitate to use it on anything. I set mine up with a Ziess Conquest 3 x 9 x 50 scope to hunt at night and it works great. The only problem I have with it is everybody else always wants to use it. Though you are the first person that I've heard said it doesn't kick too bad. I don't mind it but I have a couple of friends who won't shoot it anymore because of the kick. I'm planning ontrying the new Hornady bullets though I haven't got a chance to try them yet thoughIt shoots the standard 350 grain bullets really well.

Jeff, that's what I shot out of it yesterday. The Hornaday 350s. What are the new Hornadays that you are referring to and what is the maximum grain that you can find for the 450? As far as not kicking too bad I guess it's because I was really expecting to be rocked by it but wasn't. I was thinking of having it magnaported but I think I like my eardrums too much to have that done. Either way I'm very glad with the purchase and look forward to trying some different rounds through it.

Nice buy man. I just bought a Marlin 1895SS 45-70 a few weeks ago. Really fun to shoot and very easy to keep clean. I can't wait to try her out in November!

yeah, I had that same rifle in my hands and couldn't make up my mind. It was pretty much of a toss-up but decided on the 450 when I found out it was on sale an $70 off so I got a pretty good buy.

Is that the new XLR?

No. I saw the new xlr and was thinking of getting it but none of my shots will be over 150 yards so I didn't see any benefit to the added barrel length and weight. One of the main reasons I got it was for the 18.5" barell so it would be easier for me to pack on the steep mountains I hunt.

The new shells are the Hornady Leverevolution the ones made with a pointed shell. The .450 comes in a 325 grain shell. If you sight it in 3" high at 100 yards it is only 2.2 inches low at 200 yards. They have a soft tip so you can shoot them in a lever action. You can can see them at the hornady web site. They have got great reviews.

As far as the magnaport it is loud. Mine is one of them that is ported and you definitely need to shoot it with ear muffs.

Congragulations on the rifle!! Hope to here good news about it this upcoming hunting season!!!

450 Marlin.... that was good cartridge spacing versus what you already have.

Later on, filling the gap between that and the 300WSM with a 338 or 375 will fill in your upper half with both power and range.