.450 Marlin Bolt gun.

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Japle

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I decided I needed a .450 Marlin, but I wanted a bolt-action instead of a lever.

I bought a T/C Venture in .300 WSM because the bolt face would match the .450’s rim. I sent the barreled action to ER Shaw and had them install a medium-heavy spiral-fluted barrel. Then I fitted the new barrel to the original stock (lots of material to remove to get a floated barrel!) and installed a Vortex 3-9 Illuminated reticle scope.

This is not a light rifle, but it’s damned accurate and a pussycat to shoot. I worked up a load using the Hornady 350 gr SP at 1865 fps. I’m taking it on a hog hunt in three days.


https://www.irista.com/gallery/yfxt9uhst06h
 
Well that’s an interesting setup. That’s just a medium heavy barrel? I can’t imagine an actual heavy barrel. That thing is a beast. The 450 will serve you well on pigs. Even the biggest. Good luck on your hunt. I expect pictures in the Hunting section in 4 days.
 
I’ve been wanting to do the same thing, but on a Savage action. And a much lighter barrel. I had the idea a few years ago, and just had other things (guns) get in it’s way. But I also can’t decide between .450 Marlin or the .458x2” American. It’s basically the same cartridge, but with a standard width belt. So reload only, but usable brass is everywhere? Or the Marlin, factory loaded, but limited brass choices? I’ll decide, and get it done, one of these days. After some of my other projects are finished.

Wyman
 
I've got a NEF 45/70 I cast my own lee 500 gr. gc. WW. bullets , load them to 1550 fps .
I have killed 4 large hogs with them I have
never recovered a bullet .
 
i have the hankering to build a model seven in 458 american.

I built a 458x2 American on a Remington 600. The 600 started life as a 6.5 Rem mag. Re-barreled to 22". The only consideration is I've had to stick with semi-spitzer bullets, as blunt bullets had feeding problems in the short action. Love the cartridge. I just used Barnes Originals in 300 gr and 400 gr semi-spitzers. With Barnes and others coming out with 350 gr semi-spitzers, I think the 458x2 and a bolt gun 450 Marlin will shine. Going to try the 350 Barnes this summer, I'm thinking it will be a winner.
But if I had to do it over again, I'd would use a long action to insure easier feeding, and a 18" barrel. I mounted a Leupold VX-6 1x6 scope because it's light and has a 110' field of view at 100 yards. The nice thing about the 450 Marlin is factory ammo.
 
I've got a NEF 45/70 I cast my own lee 500 gr. gc. WW. bullets , load them to 1550 fps .
I have killed 4 large hogs with them I have
never recovered a bullet .

Is that the spitzer pointed bullet mold? I've thought about that bullet for my 458x2 at the 1400 to 1500 fps range. I was thinking that would be a winner.
 
I decided I needed a .450 Marlin, but I wanted a bolt-action instead of a lever.

I bought a T/C Venture in .300 WSM because the bolt face would match the .450’s rim. I sent the barreled action to ER Shaw and had them install a medium-heavy spiral-fluted barrel. Then I fitted the new barrel to the original stock (lots of material to remove to get a floated barrel!) and installed a Vortex 3-9 Illuminated reticle scope.

This is not a light rifle, but it’s damned accurate and a pussycat to shoot. I worked up a load using the Hornady 350 gr SP at 1865 fps. I’m taking it on a hog hunt in three days.


https://www.irista.com/gallery/yfxt9uhst06h

Very nice set up. Like it. I'd like to find out the water volume of the 458x2 case and the 450 Marlin for interest loading comparison.
 
Decades ago I had a Remington 722 set up for the .458x2”. I also had a Siamese Mauser in .45-70. Found both lacking what I wanted. I should have built the SM as a .405 WCF.

The 722? Maybe a 41 wildcat on the .458 x2”.

Kevin
 
I’ve been wanting to do the same thing, but on a Savage action. And a much lighter barrel. I had the idea a few years ago, and just had other things (guns) get in it’s way. But I also can’t decide between .450 Marlin or the .458x2” American. It’s basically the same cartridge, but with a standard width belt. So reload only, but usable brass is everywhere? Or the Marlin, factory loaded, but limited brass choices? I’ll decide, and get it done, one of these days. After some of my other projects are finished.

Wyman
Starline makes brass for the Marlin. Can't beat their quality.
 
I have a lighter load for the .450, but since getting used to the big-push-type recoil of the 350 gr JSP load I don’t shoot it much.
I take some light loads(350 Berry’s plated @ around 1600) to the range for the folks who want to try the .450, but aren’t sure about the recoil. It still looks impressive and gives them something to tell their friends about.
Frankly, I wish I’d gone with a lighter barrel, but I doubt I’ll be carrying it all that much. Nice to have the extra weight when shooting off sticks.
 
Decades ago I had a Remington 722 set up for the .458x2”. I also had a Siamese Mauser in .45-70. Found both lacking what I wanted. I should have built the SM as a .405 WCF.

The 722? Maybe a 41 wildcat on the .458 x2”.

Kevin
What did it lack power, range ????
 
What did it lack power, range ????

Just not what I liked. I have a couple of 50/70s and a Winchester 1895 in 405 WCF. The 50s seem to put game down faster and the 405 is a lot flatter.

I have said this before but the more I use either of the other cartridges, the less use I find for the 45/70. Lots of folks like it and that is fine. For me, meh.

Kevin
 
Yesterday afternoon, thunderstorms rolled over me as I sat in the most comfortable blind I’ve ever seen, waiting for the hogs to show up.

About 6:15, between downpours, a sounder (that’s what a bunch of hogs is called) came in from the north. Four of the pigs were big, much bigger than any I’ve seen before in Florida. One looked like it was the biggest and didn’t have a string of piglets trailing behind it, so I didn’t have to worry about it being a momma. He (as I found out later) was snuffling up the peanuts I’d scattered when I centered the crosshairs on his neck, right behind the ear. At the shot, he dropped and the rest of the sounder split.

The hog turned out to be a “bar hog”, slang for a male hog that’s been castrated. They make the best eating, because they don’t spend their time chasing porcine tail and filling their bloodstreams with testosterone.

My guide estimated his weight at around 300 lbs, but it’s his job to make the client happy. I’d say it’s closer to 250-275, but he’ll weigh it when he gets it gutted and before skinning. Anyway, it’s by far the biggest hog I’ve shot.

The rifle certainly did the job on this hog, breaking the spine and severing at least one major artery.


https://www.irista.com/gallery/efpidduktgkf
 
Actual weight turned out to be 242 lbs. So much fat on that hog! I'm not a big fan of fat, so I did a lot of trimming.
I'll be stuffing 8-10 lbs of meat into my crock pot this evening. My wife doesn't like the smell, but I set the pot on the back patio and let it run for 14 hours. Once I get it tenderized, I'll be making a bunch of Mexican stew.
I sawed off the lower jaw and buried it next to the house. I'll dig it up around the end of October and extract the choppers.
 
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