Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers 45-70 or 450 Marlin and Why?

Which would you choose and why if you weren't worried about Grizzlies and just wanted one for Deer,Elk, Bears,etc

Would you choose ported or non ported ?

Either one. I prefer non-ported.

For the game you mentioned, either would be sufficient.

If you handload, you can get .450 Marlin performance out of the .45-70, or factory .45-70 performance out of the .450 Marlin.

There is "boutique" loadings for the .45-70 that exploit the capability of the cartridge, but it can be costly. .450 Marlin ammo is going to just be costly, when you can find it. It is not customarily stocked in most stores, but is readily available online or through mail order.

+1 for the 45-70, non-ported.

For the handloader, I see no advantage to the .450. I can load my .45-70 to match the .450. Some say .450 brass is stronger. But, to me .45-70 brass is strong enough to load a lot more round than most would be comfortable shooting. The brass, IMHO, isn't the limiting factor and .45-70 brass is easier to find. It looks to me like the .450 was designed for high performance 45-70 loads that wouldn't by mistake wind up in a Trapdoor or equivalent. If you're a factory ammo manufacturer then I guess that makes sense. For the rest of us, not really.

DF

I do not have a 450 Marlin, so I can't and won't comment on that specifically . . . BUT

These two posts/replies say whatever I would have. Can't add much more except to reinforce that if you handload, the 45-70 can do some amazing things for you. But, I'm partial to the 45-70. Oh, yeah, if you do go 45-70, go non-ported.

Both my oldest son & I have .450 Marlins.

We chose it because You don�t have to look for �Marlin� loadings.

The Ammo is costly but I reload so it is no big deal.

I have an XLR and my son has the original �rifle� with a 22 inch barrel, neither one ported.

I just don�t like this chambering with short barbells and I don�t know why anyone would want a ported barrel� IMO

BTW, my boy used his 450 (with Brockman peep sights) to shoot a Red Deer at 208yrds� one shot.

They are very accurate rifles.

.45-70

FWIW, I won't even look at another .450 Marlin - Had a Winchester 94 Timber so chambered, and never felt so limited.

I went back to the .45-70, as it's waaaay more flexible than the .450M, especially for a non-handloader, with 300gr JHP's for deer, etc, and heavier slugs for Elk, if wanted.

.

I have owned a 45-70 (not in a Guide Gun) and I currently have a 450 Marlin Guide Gun. I love both cartridges and can't find a smidgeon of difference in terms of performance. Both are amazing thumpers and a joy to load for and shoot.

IF you handload, buy the one that you can get the best deal on. If you DON'T handload, buy the 45-70 because ammo will be much more available.

I have a lifetime supply of brass for my 450 and am content but it won't do anything that a 45-70 won't do equally well.

I went 45-70, non-ported, a couple of times.

Performance-wise, they both can do the same thing for the handloader. 450 factory ammo is all fairly warm, 45-70 factory ammo gives you more choices from mild to wild, and is generally more available.

I like the nostalgia that goes with the 45-70 too.

I wont shoot a non ported 45-70. I shot a non ported 50 Alaskan once and wont do it again.

WildidontlikerecoilAlaska ��2002-2011

I would choose the .45-70 because ammo will always be available. The 450 was dead before it was born. I wouldn't own a ported gun they are too loud. The .45-70 really doesn't have enough recoil to worry about.

Ported Guide guns are painfully loud. I would also choose a .45/70.

I can load you some rounds that will rattle your teeth...!

But, they don't have to be loaded hot to be deadly on deer, hogs, etc.

DF

Buffalo Bore has a 405gr load at 2000 fps. That has to have some bounce to it.

Oh, you can shoot stuff out of a 45/70 that require bolting down yer tooth fillings. I have come to realize that ya just don't need it. Hell, a relatively soft alloy(20:1)400 or 420 grain bullet at 1400 will smoke ANYTHING in N.America out of its sneakers AND if you get the right iron sights and take the time and trouble (?) to learn the gun, it will do its killing so far away and so well that most would go into shock.

I have one of the first 450's that made it into Canada. It's ported. It doesn't seem very loud to me as the shooter. I think a lot of the comments about loudness are re-cycled by folks who never heard one. I like the 450. I'd probably like the 45-70 just as much.

No 450 experience, but I do run a 45-70 Guide gun. Factory fodder 405 grain slugs (1,250 fps) are easy on the shoulder, while hopped up loads doing 1,750 fps are a little hard on the fillings. Ammo and cartriges are abundant for the 45-70. Regardless, I would not do ports. Too loud, and they catch twigs, snow, and ice. Either should ground anything that walks in North America and most of Africa.

Absolutely love love love my 1895GS 45-70! I got it in a trade from a guy in Alaska before the 450 came in to existence (I think). I initially had traded with a different guy for the plain ol' 22" barrel rifle model, hunted with it one time, and hated it. Sold it immediately afterwards and acquired the stainless Guide Gun. Timeline notwithstanding, I probably would have gone 45-70 anyway simply because it's got so much history and character.

From my recollection, the velocity difference between the guide gun and rifle isn't much. Less than 100fps velocity loss. For where I hunt, the shorter more compact guide model is WAY worth the few fps loss. For me, the absolute max range would be 200yds regardless of barrel length, and quite honestly if a 300gr hardcast @ 2000fps won't go lengthwise through what you hit, a 400gr hardcast @ 1800fps certainly will.

I have a Ruger #1 in 458 Lott that I intend to use as a longer range 45-70 with loads of 400gr JSP @ 2000fps to 2200fps, but I fully expect the 1895GS to be the first one I grab each and every time.

Why would you get a 450 when you can get a 45/70 that will basically do the same and offers a whole better selection of ammunition and bullet weights.

The .450 has several advantages over the 45-70, which is something died in the wool 45-70 types don't want to hear. I'm more than certain that 45-70 afficiandoes will wish to take me to task for this, but its simple truth.
1) 450 brass is stronger, and designed for high pressure loads.
2) 450 load data is engineered at 43,500 psi. No trouble, no speculation.
3) 450 ammo is readily available, and is more consistent than factory 45-70 ammo.
4) The 450 trucks along quite happily with bullets of a variety of weights.
Now, before the 45-70 heads start screaming, this ancient round is fully capable of anything its reasonably called upon to do. Lets face it, though, the best 45-70 performance is only available to knowledgeable handloaders, or those who can afford boutique ammo prices. The 450 performance is available to anyone who can buy a box of factory ammo.

Different strokes...

I can load equivalent 45-70 rounds to match what you're doing with the .450. Good 45-70 brass is plenty strong for teeth rattling loads. I'll give up before the brass does, so the stronger .450 brass is moot.

I have (6) 45-70's and no .450's. That's about the right ratio, IMHO.

DF