Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers bullets in the 450 Marlin, and a new powder for 348!

Great day at the range with the 348 Win and 450 Marlin.


Tried out IMR 4451 and got two groups under 2" at 100 yards. Seems like a very reliable and consistent performer and it is becoming a go too. Also cleans up copper fouling. What's not to like?



Also tried out 405 grain Woodleighs out of my 450 Marlin at about 1800fps with H322. Penetrates better than the 405 Remingtons but don't support that huge mushroom and were not as accurate with my go to H322 load. Also didn't keep as much retained weight but it seems like the jacket will be harder to separate.

Rem on left, Woodleigh on right. Wound Channel and explosive effect of Remington hard to beat.


I have used the Rem bullet for the last 16 years and don't worry too much about core separations. The jacket is very thin and acts a bit like a discarding sabot..the big lead core expands well and weighs around 350 grains and penetrates well enough all by itself.
It usually comes apart at the last bit of travel anyway. Here is one out of a 150 yard caribou from the NWT



Still I think the Woodleigh might be better on really big stuff like Bison. Sticking with the Rem for Moose and under though.

Video here. You can see me get showered from an exploding water jug. Fun day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHVfOtt1jko