I would like to build a .450 Marlin on a Winchester 70 classic action. It is a short, CRF action with a .308 bolt face. Is this action a good choice or would I be better off with a WSM action?
Silakjim, have you considered the Steyr ProHunter Big Bore in 450 Marlin?
They come up on Gun Broker for around the $1500 to $1700 mark.
I know that's a lot but rebarreling another action and having the necessary mag and boltface work done is not cheap.
More over you can get a 8 round mag extension for them.
They don't have a pretty timber stock, in fact some people reckon the synthetic is downright ugly, but I'd see the synthetic as an advantage in Alaska.
The bottom line is they're a quality rifle factory chambered that way even though they aren't CRF.
Silakjim;
Just curious as it has been awhile since I've owned a 450 Marlin. I understand they were designed to meet the performance level the 45-70 was getting in a lever action. With that said are you toying with the idea of maybe getting more out of it in a bolt action. And if so what kind of numbers are you or will you be getting. Just interested because when I owned one and looked at the case I thought it would be interesting to have one in a short action bolt rifle and wondered what the performance would be.
skilakjim,
It has been many years since I built mine, but it is basically the WSM rebarreled and the barrel channel opened up in the stock.
Headache
I had a .376 Steyr ProHunter but just couldn't warm up to all the plastic used on the rifle. Liked the caliber though. Did a great job tipping over moose.
I never have been a fan of lever rifles and the .450 Marlin can be loaded up hotter when used in a bolt action rifle.
I'm thinking I can get 450 grain triple shocks going at a respectable speed.
This is going to be my bear in your face gun. I have have had problems with brownies trying to jump in our rafts over the past couple of years. A fast handling thumper carbine might just be the ticket.
Looks like I need to start looking for a WSM action.
i and brother built a 450mar on a Savage 110 lh long action used a Douglas 25' 1/22 made a qutr rib,banded front sight and swivel. this is set up to shoot cast boolit (330cast hp at 2100 will go into 2"at 200 if i do my part)the only things i would change is use a short action and drop the weight to 9lbs ready to hunt. got this gun ready for last years hunt and got two bucks opening day. (1 at 180yds 1at 95yds) Is a fun gun to shoot a big boomer but not the big recoil! pm me if you want i have a min neck reamer have fun Clint
My love for the 450M is no secrete�
I don�t know how much hotter you could load it, or why, since you could get a 458WM and load it minimal levels.
BUT a bolt action would open the way for all sorts of new bullets.
Interesting idea, but I think I'd rather just buy one of about a gazillion used .458 Win mag bolt rifles already on the market.
FWIW, Guy
FWIW, I like the concept, please keep in mind that you can add shells to a lever gun(Marlin)w/out opening the action,an important thing when you have fired 3 rnds and your bear is not dead yet. Unless you go clip fed. Another thought is what will the mag capacity be in the bolt gun?
skilakjim,
The WSM action is the best way to get there. Just rebarrel and open up the barrel channel. I built mine ten or twelve years ago while at USRAC as a prototype, called it Thumper.
Headache
bet you can buy a super express model 70 458 for less than you can build the 450 marlin on a model 70 and have good rifle you can load the 458 to equal velocity and always go up if you ever need the power