I need to buy another lever action rifle, and I'm thinking about 450 Marlin for this one. Anyone see one (new or used) in a NJ gun store lately?

 

-Dave

Try NJ firearms guild,they always have Marlin levers there.

I am always looking for straight stock lever Marlins.

I picked up a 444 this week.I'll keep an eye out for you.

Dave

Have you tried the price request feature? You can usually get a pretty quick answer that way.

Hey Dave stay away from new Marlins.Since Remington took over

Marlin they suck.Check out Marlinowners.com to see what I mean.

Dave

I need to buy another lever action rifle, and I'm thinking about 450 Marlin for this one. Anyone see one (new or used) in a NJ gun store lately?

 

-Dave

My .$02 would suggest the venerable .45-70 over the .450 Marlin. The .450 Marlin is the .45-70 factory hot-rodded out-of-the-box with a belt on the case. Brass is more expensive, and so are loaded rounds. If you reload, a quick peek at the reloading manuals show both rounds when loaded for modern lever-actions firearms operate at very similar pressures, and can produce similar velocities with the same weight bullets. Premium loads from custom makers for the .450 Marlin can run you $50 for a box of 20 rounds. I know it's a hunting round, not a target, plinking round; but that's a bit excessive.

 

Both can be unpleasant to fire from the bench for an extended period when loaded to maximum potential, particularly the short-barreled .45-70 or .450 Marlin carbine with the ported barrel which I was never a fan of. I surmise it's a handy gun for carrying but when you touch one off it's loud! I prefer the 22" barreled models (I think the barrel actually measures 21 7/8.") They're overall length is only 40.5", which is still pretty handy for toting in the woods, pushing thick cover, or sitting in a tree stand.

 

As for the Remlin's, that phenomenon of suspect quality has been bandied about in the forums since 2009. Remington changed the way a Marlin was to be made on the assembly line, and supposedly there have been quality control issues. I hope this is something they can iron out. It's also making the hardcore Marlin fans search out pre-Remington influenced guns which is making them harder to find.

 

I always saw clean .45-70's for sale in other areas. Head into obscure hunting locations in rifle country like upstate New York or over in Pennsylvania, search their local gunshops and you'll find what you're looking for if you don't want a Remlin. (or Marlington!)

 

PS - Don't count out the .444 Marlin if you want a big bore. This is also a very versatile round, particularly if you handload.

My .$02 would suggest the venerable .45-70 over the .450 Marlin. The .450 Marlin is the .45-70 factory hot-rodded out-of-the-box with a belt on the case. Brass is more expensive, and so are loaded rounds. If you reload, a quick peek at the reloading manuals show both rounds when loaded for modern lever-actions firearms operate at very similar pressures, and can produce similar velocities with the same weight bullets. Premium loads from custom makers for the .450 Marlin can run you $50 for a box of 20 rounds. I know it's a hunting round, not a target, plinking round; but that's a bit excessive.

 

Thanks for the in-depth advice, I really appreciate it.

 

I already have a 45-70 lever! I shoot it frequently, and really enjoy it. I only shoot my own loads, so the cost of factory ammo isn't that much of an issue, and I have enough rifles that I don't shoot any one too much.

 

Nevertheless, I'm reading your detailed advice carefully!

 

Thanks, Dave

Oops, sorry. Then you already know what a good round the .45-70 is. Maybe do something exotic with your next lever-action?

 

Grizzly Custom

 

Brockman Master Guide

 

Lee Hadaway Take-Down

Oops, sorry. Then you already know what a good round the .45-70 is. Maybe do something exotic with your next lever-action?

 

Grizzly Custom

 

Brockman Master Guide

 

Lee Hadaway Take-Down

 

Hey Now! Those are some cool websites. I really like the Brockman stuff.

Thanks for the in-depth advice, I really appreciate it.

 

I already have a 45-70 lever! I shoot it frequently, and really enjoy it. I only shoot my own loads, so the cost of factory ammo isn't that much of an issue, and I have enough rifles that I don't shoot any one too much.

 

Nevertheless, I'm reading your detailed advice carefully!

 

Thanks, Dave

 

I'd second him on the advice. The .450 marlin pretty much exists simply to give an opportunity for large commercial manufacturers to produce rounds that the marlin platform could take without the liability of manufacturing something that would blow up a vintage 45-70. As a handloader, you aren't buying anything you don't already have access to. I say spend your money on some of the niftier hardcast heads form beartooth bullets and maybe some really light barns copper bullets and see what crazy stuff you can come up with. Especially if you do not have one of the microgroove barrels, you can really play around with some very versatile loadings.

 

Myself I have a 444p. If I knew then what I know, I'd probably have just gotten the guide gun in 45-70.

I'd second him on the advice. The .450 marlin pretty much exists simply to give an opportunity for large commercial manufacturers to produce rounds that the marlin platform could take without the liability of manufacturing something that would blow up a vintage 45-70. As a handloader, you aren't buying anything you don't already have access to. I say spend your money on some of the niftier hardcast heads form beartooth bullets and maybe some really light barns copper bullets and see what crazy stuff you can come up with. Especially if you do not have one of the microgroove barrels, you can really play around with some very versatile loadings.

 

Myself I have a 444p. If I knew then what I know, I'd probably have just gotten the guide gun in 45-70.

Don't undersell the Microgroove barrel for jacketed or lead loads. I've used up to 275 grs. (Barnes) with jacketed bullets in my .444S, but prefer the Hornady 265gr. I've yet to try heavier hardcast bullets, but that's on my agenda. I've been able to coax my .444 Marlin to shoot soft lead loads fairly accurately.