Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Light loads for the 450 Marlin

I've had a 450 Marlin for a few years and really like it. Last June I had the opportunity to hunt black bears over bait in Idaho and zapped a couple bears with a stiff load behind a 350 grain bullet. This loading is great for hunting but rather punishing for general plinking. Does anyone have any light loads for a 300 grain bullet that they like? I was thinking of something in the 1300-1400 fps range.

Thanks!
ttpoz

Look at 45/70 data that produces that velocity. That should give you several good suggestions.

I use 21.0 grains of BlueDot in my .45-70 T/C carbine and get about 1400 fps with the 300-grain bullets. A mild load in report and recoil, it should be plenty safe in the Marlin - but work up from 19 grains just to be safe. It does not appear to be position sensitive with a regular rifle primer. It is the most accurate load in that barrel.

Expect the point of impact with any 1400 fps load to be well away from your full-power poi.



l

I was looking over on leverguns.com and saw reduced loads for the 45-70. They were using 11 to 11.5 grains of unique with a 400 grain cast bullet for about 1100 FPS. Am thinking this load should work in the 450 Marlin case as well. Might go over there and look. It's Paco Kelley's Leverguns.com.
Virgil B.

Thank you, Vic, DR, and vbs!
ttpoz

Excellent! Thank you!