Marlin 45/70 question #2

[telewinz]

Since the "new" 450 marlin rifle and round are the same except for the belt on the cartridge, this means I can handload the 45/70 in my modern Marlin 1895 to the same pressure level as the .450 right? After all you have the same case capacity and the same rifle. I've got some reloads for a Ruger #3 that come real close to a .458 Magnum. I bet the Marlin could handle them with no problem. Input sought. I still have my 30 year old Hornady reloading manual.

 

[Detritus]

i sure do hope you're kidding.......


the .450 Marlin was designed to enable you to get to the pressure/power level you're speaking of, without eating your receiver.

so NO i would NOT try and handload a 45-70 to .450 specs!!
If i remember correctly not even the company (is it cor-bon??) that puts out those "ruger and marlin only" 45-70 loads ment to stop rhinos, is loading the old warhorse THAT hot.

 

[telewinz]

when I said near 458 magnum loads, I'm taking around 2000 fps with a 400 grain bullet. I believe the Marlin will handle around 45,000 psi just fine, the .450 just proves it, I THINK.

 

[mparris71]

check out the big bore board.
Marlin Talk

BTW the .450 is a 45-70 warm loaded, that they put a belt on to keep it out of trapdoors and rolling blocks. 400 grain bullet doing 2000fps is not out of reach for a Marlin lever actions, And it can be done under 40,000 CUP

Check out
Garrett Cartidges

 

[Northwest Cajun]

I've had good luck with Reloader#7 and 405 Rem bullets. I can push them to just about 2000fps in my Guide Gun. Granted I only loaded a few for testing, they are a little hard to hold on to
I prefer to keep them just under 1700fps with a lightly compressed charge of Varget. I can keep most of a full tube on a 3x5 index card out to 200 yds , and that is with the WWG ghost ring sights. I'm pretty pleased with them

Cajun

 

[AC]

yes they can take the same pressures

But if you load it like a #3 Ruger you can blow yourself up. The Ruger action is stronger and has a freebore in the throat.

You guys are a lot tougher than me. My Marlin is loaded in the 1200-1300 fps range with a 415 gr. soft cast bullet. It's very accurate, kicks plenty, and will easily kill anything in my state.

 

[redneck2]

I also use..

the Varget load out of the Hodgden manual with 405 Speers. Dunno what the velocity is, other than "adequate"

I have a Decelerator pad on mine. Actually, I'd anticipated more recoil than it has, but the pad really helps.

Any griz in my back yard will be in big trouble.

 

[stevelyn]

Check this out! More big bore solutions to big problems.

http://buffalobore.com

 

[Cthulhu]

Mparris71 told you straight.

Pressure for pressure, the .45-70 will do everything the .450 will do and a bit more, due to its slightly larger case capacity. If the actions are the same (in this case, they are), then the max loads will be the same. Strong as the Marlin is, the Ruger #3 is a brute strong action capable of containing much higher pressures, so check the estimated pressures for those loads first before you stuff them into an 1895 Marlin. 400grn bullets at 2000+ fps is easily achievable in the Marlin at sane pressures, and if you handload you can beat the price of those high dollar custom shells quite easily.

 

[telewinz]

Checked the reloading books both old (30 yr.)and new and 2000fps with the 405 grain is a breeze in the Marlin 1845 Rifle and the Guide Gun with the shorter barrel. I believe the 450 Marlin and the 45/70 have the same case capacity. Makes the .444 and 454 casull seem like carnival gallery shooting loads . Now I handload and I am sure I'll find a load that safely pushes the pressure limit and breaks my shoulder. I really trust those modern Marlin 336 designs, I bet they could handle a 30/06, the old 1895 Winchester was chambered at one time in 30/06. Alas, it's true they beg you not to do so now regardless of the condition of the rifle because there was a certain amount of stretching. WOW, I'm starting to ache already.

BTW: IIRC I read many years ago that the Trapdoor Springfield action(1) was used to develope the 30/40 Krag cartridge and the 30/40 Krag action was rebarreled by Gunsmith R.F. Sedgley of Philadelphia in heavy 30/06 loads to test his Krag actions before customizing (2)

(1) Single Shot Rifles by Frank de Haas, 1969.
(2) Bolt Action Rifle by Frank de Haas, 1971.