The 450 Marlin is a good round and that 1895 version is probably the "strongest" Marlin made as the 45-70 version had more metal removed to accommodate the rim on the 45-70. But, that is a bit of nit picking and both versions are plenty strong for what both rounds are capable of. If I was looking to hot rod a 45-70 bullet I think the .450 Marlin would be a better platform.
A hand loader can make a .450 Marlin or 45-70 work for any thing and old style lever gun can be called on to do and few of the other lever gun calibers can match it's versatility. From small white tails to bison and coastal grizzly and every thing in between, a 450 Marlin can be loaded to fill the bill.
But all of them are only as good as their bullets. Living and only hunting in Alaska makes for and easy choice for me. I choose the best bullet that I can find that will work on a pissed off brown bear, said bullet will work on moose and caribou.
After my current supply of 400 grain Alaska Bullet Works Super Bonded 45-70 bullets is gone I will load the heavy jacketed 350 grain version. Should be a bit easier on the shoulder and like North I favor H322 for the 45-70. I did some tree stump testing with the 350 grain Hornady years ago and believe it is ok for about any thing in North America, especially for "state side" use. In the future all my hunting brass for the 45-70 will be made by Starline, as is my .348 Ackley Improved and .44 hand gun and rifle brass.
I like a bullet that maintains a long shank as I believe that also aids in straight line penetration, but I also want some expansion, but not a lot on a 45-70 bullet as it is a large diameter bullet and we all know that bullets that roll up like a big pumpkin ball don't penetrate the best even if they maintain a lot of their original weight and may be prone to going of course easier then one that keeps a long shank.
I enjoy bullet talk and when the moment comes, it all comes down to us putting the right bullet in the right place on our chosen critter. Just my 2 cents.
