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Posted By: limabean 450 marlin - 03/31/21
Anyone here shoot a marlin 1895m in 450 marlin? What’s the recoil like compared to the 444? What is a fair price for one in very good condition?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Posted By: rem141r Re: 450 marlin - 03/31/21
never compared them side by side but the 1895m is a good stout push with the hornady LE ammo. more concern is the blast from the ports if yours is so equipped.

prices could be anywhere these days. i would say if you could get one for 7-800, you'd be doing ok. wouldn't be surprised if they wanted a grand though. they were 5-6 a few years ago. the outfitter (444) is more from what i've seen.
Posted By: limabean Re: 450 marlin - 03/31/21
This one doesn’t have ports and is priced at 699 plus tax
Posted By: SheriffJoe Re: 450 marlin - 03/31/21


I'd buy it.

No need to use Hornady ammo for anything.
Posted By: T_Inman Re: 450 marlin - 04/01/21
I have a ported .450 Marlin in the 1895M that I hunt with on occasion. Recoil is stout but not terrible, as is that from the .444 Marlin. rem is right about the blast and noise.

I have no idea about a price as I haven't really looked at them lately.
Posted By: Swede65 Re: 450 marlin - 04/01/21
I have the 1895M with the 18.5" ported barrel. Was pretty stout, but had a gunsmith put the thickest PacM pad on
and it's not too bad. I've never shot the 444, so I have no comparison. That's not a bad price if in good shape.
I'm totally amazed at how accurate mine is.
Posted By: Rossimp Re: 450 marlin - 04/08/21
Recoil is a product of several variables. Rifle weight, bullet weight and powder charge are the primary ones.

In general the 444 Marlin recoil energy from 225 gr - 335 gr loadings range approximately from low to high 32 ft-lb - 40 ft-lbs. Again rifle weight being a major variable in felt recoil. The 444 Marlin at the low end would be a stoutly loaded 30-06 with 200 gr+ bullets, in the middle it would be a 35 Whelen with 250 gr load, upper end would feel like a 338 Win Mag loaded with 250 gr+ or similar to a 375 H&H with 270 gr load.

The 450 Marlin recoil will range with 300 gr - 450 gr loadings at approximately 36 ft-lbs - 49 ft-lbs of recoil energy. The upper end loadings would be greater than a 375 H&H with stout 300 grain loads, closer to a bottleneck 416 loaded with 350 gr loads at 2,500 fps or so.
Posted By: North61 Re: 450 marlin - 04/25/21
The stock design of the Marlin is pretty bad for heavy recoil. The lever raps your index finger, the drop at comb creates some upward movement and the overall effect is a bit unpleasant from a bench, better from off hand through sitting. Mine is ported which reduces muzzle flip a bit. It should be about 20 % heavier than the 444. You can see the recoil in this video...It's shootable but not enjoyable with full power 400 grain loads from the bench or prone. Quite a bit more fun bad from standing or sitting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHVfOtt1jko
Posted By: saddlegun Re: 450 marlin - 05/01/21
I don't have a .450 Marlin, but I do have the 22" 1895 in .45-70 which is much the same.
The 405 grain loads at 1500 FPS are downright unpleasant to shoot from the bench, so I would not even want to try the 1800 FPS loads.

From the bench I find that the recoil drives the rifle back enough to open the lever (after the bullet has gone), so I use the overhand grip on the lever to prevent this.

The stock design was intended for the .30-30 class cartridges, although I find it quite comfortable even with the 1500 FPS .45-70 loads.

With a scope mounted, the comb will be too low on any Marlin lever gun.

And yes, it is a hell of a lot more pleasant to shoot offhand.
Posted By: WStrayer Re: 450 marlin - 05/01/21
I found the straight stock had more recoil and the short barrel is very loud. The ported guns are worse.
I have a 1895XLr in 45-70 and regret selling my 1895MXLR
Posted By: 1Akshooter Re: 450 marlin - 05/01/21
It all depends on the load your using, the recoil pad, whether the rifle has a straight or pistol grip stock and the shooters technique. The Marlin .450 on the 1895 platform is capable of digesting powerful loads and is probably a stronger action then the 45-70 version as it does not have as much metal removed to accommodate the larger 45-70 rim.

I have been shooting peep sighted pistol gripped stocks with heavy loaded Marlin 45-70's since about 1990. I picked up my 3rd one about 15 years ago and did some work to it. The 26" Octagon barrel was cut to 21" and a Skinner "Alaskan" peep with a XS front flat post with the white lineup front. I had it Mag na Ported three years ago to assist with keeping the muzzle jump down for a faster repeat shot. Almost all of my shooting is done off hand or with the aid of shooting sticks. If I was putting a new load together I would dust off my dreaded Caldwell Lead Sled for the bench shooting.

The 45-70 is un pleasant shooting off of the bench for me and I assume the .450 Marlin would be the same. I carry my 45-70 in the off season for bear protection and hunt with other rifles. For over 25 years my load has been WW cases, H322 powder, WLR primers with a heavy jacketed bonded 405 grain Kodiak bullet from Alaska Bullet Works. When these bullets are gone I will switch to Starline Brass and the 350 grain Kodiak bullet. Recoil was some how easier to ignore before I got to be a senior citizen!
Posted By: Tom_in_VT Re: 450 marlin - 05/13/21
It’s stout, but not unmanageable. I’d buy it for 699.
Posted By: limabean Re: 450 marlin - 05/15/21
I did buy it. I like it.
Posted By: WStrayer Re: 450 marlin - 05/15/21
Ammo is hard to find, so reload.
The ported guns are miserable so far as noise. Great price though
Posted By: asheepdog Re: 450 marlin - 07/02/21
I have and carry the Marlin1895m and mine is ported, it’s short and sweet. Recoils about like a hot 45-70 and very loud. If you don’t reload, ammo is difficult to find and seems the brass is too. I do reload or I would sell mine. Nothing a good 45-70 couldn’t do if that matters to you. In my opinion, .444 is easier on the shoulder but not a whole lot of difference in my opinion.
Posted By: Biebs Re: 450 marlin - 07/08/21
The 450 Marlin was offered before hot-rodding the 45-70 by Buffalo Bore, Garrett, Double-Tap, Grizzly and others became popular. Now, considering ammo availability, a 45-70 makes more sense, loading from trap-door strength loads up to near 458 Win Mag.
Posted By: william_iorg Re: 450 marlin - 07/09/21
Originally Posted by Biebs
The 450 Marlin was offered before hot-rodding the 45-70 by Buffalo Bore, Garrett, Double-Tap, Grizzly and others became popular. Now, considering ammo availability, a 45-70 makes more sense, loading from trap-door strength loads up to near 458 Win Mag.


You don't remember the Marlin Talk Board.
The .450 Marlin was not well recieved.

Tim Sundles (sp) small primers, vented magazine tubes and detonations were hot topics.

Marlin had the lever action internet by the short hairs and threw it away through lack of moderation.
It was a lively discussion while it lasted.
Posted By: Jethro15 Re: 450 marlin - 07/20/21
Hey Lima, if you need Ammo for the 450, get ahold of me. My dad had a ported 450 for a short while, had to sell due to ear issues. I know he has some ammo, he’d probably trade or whatever.
Posted By: moosemike Re: 450 marlin - 07/26/21
Originally Posted by william_iorg
Originally Posted by Biebs
The 450 Marlin was offered before hot-rodding the 45-70 by Buffalo Bore, Garrett, Double-Tap, Grizzly and others became popular. Now, considering ammo availability, a 45-70 makes more sense, loading from trap-door strength loads up to near 458 Win Mag.


You don't remember the Marlin Talk Board.
The .450 Marlin was not well recieved.

Tim Sundles (sp) small primers, vented magazine tubes and detonations were hot topics.

Marlin had the lever action internet by the short hairs and threw it away through lack of moderation.
It was a lively discussion while it lasted.

I was on the old Marlin talk forum. I may never have come here had they not blown it up
Posted By: akpls Re: 450 marlin - 07/27/21
I picked up an 1895M the very first day one appeared for sale in Fairbanks and took many a moose with it. I later had a 450M built on a Ruger 77 action/Shilen barrel that I took to Namibia and took a nice kudu with. Also acquired a BLR 450M after I did a job for a buddy that paid me by giving me the rifle since he knew I would turn down any cash payment for the work. He just knew I wouldn't be able to resist having the gun! I still have the Marlin and the Ruger, but gave the BLR to my son when I retired and moved from Alaska. Probably won't hunt much here in NM with the 450M, but may take one back to AK with me when going up for a moose hunt with my son.
Posted By: WStrayer Re: 450 marlin - 07/27/21
I did not own a 450 Guide Gun, but my brother does. The ported barrel makes noise very harsh. I did own a Guide Gun in 45-70 and found that the straight stock gave me more recoil than the pistol grip stock gun I have, i.e. 1895XLR
Posted By: Dan_H Re: 450 marlin - 07/29/21
I regret getting the .450 instead of the 45-70.
The ports are a real pain also both to your ears and when carried in a saddle scabbard. They tend to rust up fast even when taped shut.
Do like how the gun handles when you are in brush
Posted By: WStrayer Re: 450 marlin - 07/30/21
The Guide Guns can be converted to pistol grip stocks but it also requires replacement of the lever and lower receiver plate. Given the price that you have to pay for just the gun, I don't think it is worth it. But it makes me cringe when I see that someone has cut off the barrel of an 1895XLR or 1895MXLR.
I wish I could find a 22" barrel gun in 450 ME, but that isn't happening
Posted By: limabean Re: 450 marlin - 08/01/21
Mine isn’t ported but it’s a blast!
Posted By: Dntnddb Re: 450 marlin - 01/11/22
I consider the recoil move of a hard shove rather then a hammer strike…if the makes sense
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