Need a good load for .450 marlin
 

I'm just starting out reloading for the first time and I need a good suggestion of some loads for a .450 marlin. I'm thinking along the lines of a 300 grain bullet, perhaps a Nosler Partition, loaded where I can get something around 2000 fps from an 18.5 inch barrel. Any ideas?

RE: Need a good load for .450 marlin
 

Hi formula1,

Here is a site that might assist you starting:

http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpa...?CaliberID=196

Hope this helps!

Dave

RE: Need a good load for .450 marlin
 

I'm shooting factory Hornady 350s at the moment. But question for you; why did we buy our .450? My shots are mostly 100 yards or so at Texas size Deer and Hogs. How about you?:eek:

RE: Need a good load for .450 marlin
 

akbound,

Thanks for the website. That should get me started. I'll probably consider these max. loads and try to work up to them. Out of the 18.5" barrell, I should be close to 2000 fps.

etw,

Been hunting GA whitetails in the thick brush and feral hogs with the .450. Up until now, I've been using the factory loads, too, without any problems at all except for the recoil. But the misses bought a complete reloading kit with dies, so I got to give it a try. Plus, I have about 200 once fired brass that's just sitting around.

My .450 is setup with a Reddot mounted scout style, which has proven to be a quick-pointing deadly accurate setup for short range (<100 yds). I gotten about 8 whiitetails with it so far.

How 'bout yours?

RE: Need a good load for .450 marlin
 

Have only fired 9 rounds thru it. Will use it this fall. Know what you mean about factory rounds and recoil. Mine has short 18.5 inch barrel with muzzle brake. I took off the front sight, mounted 2-7x32 Pine Ridge Cabela's scope. Should be just the trick shooting from my elevated box blinds in east Texas since its so short I won't bang it on the ceiling:eek:

RE: Need a good load for .450 marlin
 

ETW,

Please don't get me wrong, I think the 2-7x Variable scope is a great choice for this gun. Having said that, I'm not sure that the scope of your choice will hold up to the recoil. I don't know anything about your scope, but I do know that this weapon's recoil eats scopes for lunch. Since you've only shot 9 rounds through, my guess is you haven't experienced a failure yet. But then again, you're scope may hold up, who knows.

I put three different low-end scopes on my .450 from various manufacturers and all eventually gave up to the recoil. Now, word has it that Leupold and perhaps some other high-end optics will take the punishment, but I decided to mount mine scout style with long eye-relief, so I chose a Reddot instead.

Please think about this before you head out hunting this fall and make sure you scope won't fail in the field as mine did. It was very frustrating!