Author Topic: 45-70 or 450 Marlin (Read 6124 times)

broker · « **on:** January 15, 2004, 09:42:31 AM »

Hey guys, looking to purchase a 45-70 or 450 Marlin in Marlins guide gun.. Don't know much about hunting hogs, but wondering which you feel is better choice. personally, have felt that 45-70 is way to go as can get rounds cheaper and inherently less velocity, as well as buying hot rounds from Buffalo Bore etc. that perform on par with 450. Anyway, your thoughts would be appreciated for this novice. thanks.

myronman3 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2004, 01:03:34 PM »

45-70. the only advantage i see for the 450 is that folks who dont reload might have an easier time finding ammo. folks that do simply load up for the 45-70; those that dont and know about the hotter rounds from b.b. and garrett get their hot ones from there.
oh, it might help marlin sell a few more guns.

Lawdog · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2004, 02:28:39 PM »

broker,

About the only real difference is that the brass is a bit thicker on the .450 Marlin, thus making it somewhat stronger. Outside of that it's 6 of one and a half a dozen of the other. Lawdog

missed_shot · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2004, 04:22:17 AM »

I HAVE 2 45/70 AND MY FRIEND HAS ONE. WE ONLY USE 45/70 to hunt. The 45/70 is deadly using anything from 300 to 405 gr. bullets. All kikills are pass throughs. The 450 is not needed .

Perferator · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2004, 03:50:39 PM »

Did anyone mention you should go with the 45-70??

I have the Guide Gun in 45-70, it's the funnest and funniest of all my serious guns. It's a blast. Bought it last September and still feel new with it, but getting more familiar each month. I've also started reloading, it's not difficult and doesnt have to be expensive (I use my friends set-up). So, I can now go from mild to wild. The pet load I use the most is the ballistic twin to the .450....and it does kick. Factory loads are fun to shoot but the round isnt all that popular and the cost does factor in....hence my entry into loading.

You can get hot rounds (as you'd mentioned) from PMC in the Silverline ammo that has the 350gr pushing around 2000fps...that is .450 territory and will stop anything on our continent. If you hold the rifle correctly (on the inside of shoulder on the chest muscle and grip tightly) the recoil will belt you the first time (as does most any centerfire) but after that it's sheer fun and excitement. Go shoot through some cement blocks or car engines with the garret loads :eek:

Perferator

olereb1 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2008, 03:23:58 PM »

Maybe the 45-70 is the one that is not needed.

BBF · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2008, 07:44:32 AM »

I had a 450 Guide Gun and didn't keep it long. I just couldn't get used to straight stocks.

If you use Factory ammo the choice is bigger with the 45-70,but the hot stuff is pricey
The 450 doesn't come in "mild". That sucker will kick you!!

If you reload, take your pick, 45-70 brass is cheaper. I did find one of the Speer bullets doesn't work for the 450 Marlin. The bullet tapers quickly and you have to seat it too far into the case to be able to unload a unfired cartridge from the Marlin

Ironwood · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2008, 04:40:04 PM »

Back in the 70's I bought one of the new Model 1895 Marlins in 45-70. I loved that straight stock. It was very fast handling. It had a longer barrel than the Guide Gun and was a little on the heavy side. When using hot handloads it was still tough on the shoulder.

If you are just wanting a large caliber rifle I would go with the 45-70. I think ammo will be around longer than the 450Marlin. If you just want something in a lever action to kill hogs with, I would go for the Marlin 308MX. Plenty of powder and not so hard on the shoulder. Regardless which you choose I hope you will look into handloading.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2008, 04:56:49 PM »

Well, if no ones mentioned it yet, I recommend going with the 45-70.....

The 450 is an ammunition joke. The 45-70 will do everything the 450 will do and ammo is more available and cheaper loads are available. Don't waist your time with the 450.

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2008, 10:46:06 PM »

Another vote for the 45-70

I reload and I love mine......Rick

LeadPoison · « **Reply #10 on:** May 19, 2008, 11:57:07 AM »

I have a 450 and a 45-70.

I can confirm they both kill deer to the same degree of dead and to distances of 190 yards.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #11 on:** May 19, 2008, 03:24:39 PM »

I had 2 buddies go for the .45-70 over the .450. They, and I feel that it will be around a lot longer than the .450.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 19, 2008, 05:07:01 PM »

45-70 How can you argue with 135 years of success? Seriously, its a living legend.

STUMPJMPR · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2008, 01:28:41 AM »

45-70 all the way....The .450 marlin only comes in one loading....WILD!!!!!!!!!

Tn Jim · « **Reply #14 on:** June 02, 2008, 04:34:48 PM »

Another vote for the 45-70. Mild to wild any time you want.

drdougrx · « **Reply #15 on:** June 02, 2008, 04:47:56 PM »

Yep! Me too in a Ruger #1!

Cottonwood · « **Reply #16 on:** June 03, 2008, 01:13:02 PM »

45-70

Forest Walker · « **Reply #17 on:** June 18, 2008, 06:43:33 AM »

Buy one of each

Marlin_444 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 18, 2008, 07:14:10 AM »

How 'bout a 444 Marlin... It is like Thunder from the Gods on beasts of the field...

Ron

Cabin4 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 20, 2008, 10:58:35 AM »

Quote from: Marlin_444 on June 18, 2008, 07:14:10 AM

How 'bout a 444 Marlin... It is like Thunder from the Gods on beasts of the field...

Ron

Ahhh.... not sure about that comparison...

.430 revolver bullets vs. .458 rifle bullets

?

alsaqr · « **Reply #20 on:** June 21, 2008, 06:10:18 AM »

.

Quote

430 revolver bullets vs. .458 rifle bullets

Look at the 265 grain Hornady bullet.

BBF · « **Reply #21 on:** June 21, 2008, 06:54:29 AM »

although the original question was 45-70 vs 450 Marlin, there is nothing wrong with the .444 Marlin. That 265 gr. Hdy bullet is awesome on big stuff and the 240 gr Mag type bullets will do the job on any deer.

silver surfer · « **Reply #22 on:** June 29, 2008, 02:32:48 AM »

Well I have a first hand experience on a hog hunt with both guns. February two years ago three friends from work and I went on a trip. One fellow, who had never hunted or shot anything but paper, had a brand new .450 Marlin Guide gun, another guy had his .300 win mag, and I brought my Buffalo Classic in 45-70. We were blessed to get into the hogs within the first hour of daylight. The guy with the 450 shot first

, that gun was brutally loud! The magna porting magnified the volume, no pun intended. I was the second to shoot, bang flop, and the guy with the .300 shot, bang flop. All three calibers did their jobs, but all four of us walked away with chimes in our heads from that 450. I'm not recoil shy, and gun fire is music to my ears, but excessive noise is another matter. For close work, which hog hunting usually is, I would not buy a gun with magna porting.

Either caliber is good. The 45-70 has many more load levels and choices and ammunition is more available. Until the 450 becomes more mainstream my money goes to the 45-70.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 29, 2008, 04:34:59 AM »

Quote from: alsaqr on June 21, 2008, 06:10:18 AM

.
Quote
430 revolver bullets vs. .458 rifle bullets

Look at the 265 grain Hornady bullet.

I can look at it all day long. It still won't turn it into a .458. That's one of my points.

The second is the bullet weight. .458 will top off much higher then the 430.

Wider and heavier bullet in this case means a better killer on large dangerous game.

Nothing wrong with the 444, its just not a match to the 45-70.

JonnyC · « **Reply #24 on:** July 03, 2008, 12:54:05 AM »

Hot loads are not needed in the 45/70. I have shot several hogs using 45/70 trapdoor loads. They are mild on the shoulder and I get complete pass throughs. That 405 gr. bullet going at 1300 fps will shoot through a sapling and still kill a hog. Speaking from experience.

A bowling ball doesn't move as fast as a .22 but will have a greater effect on the pins in a bowling alley than a .22 will. Speed is not needed in a 405 gr. bullet. It just hurts your shoulder more.

BBF · « **Reply #25 on:** July 04, 2008, 05:06:51 AM »

Re 450 Marlin. I believe Marlin stopped porting the barrels. They were L O U D

, not sure if that was the reason for the stoppage.

silver surfer · « **Reply #26 on:** July 09, 2008, 02:25:32 PM »

Hey I'm not joking when that guy fired that gun I flinched!

That thing rang my ears for days. I was 6 to 8 feet from the shooter standing slightly behind his left shoulder. When he fired the muzzle blast closed my eyes. If the hog hadn't fallen ten feet from the last place I saw it I would have sworn he missed it clean. I sure didn't see any hit!

My advice to anyone with a "Ported" gun, be it a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, be extra courtious and always aware of where your buddies are. Those guns can do serious damage on both ends.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 09, 2008, 05:31:14 PM »

Quote from: silver surfer on July 09, 2008, 02:25:32 PM

Hey I'm not joking when that guy fired that gun I flinched! That thing rang my ears for days. I was 6 to 8 feet from the shooter standing slightly behind his left shoulder. When he fired the muzzle blast closed my eyes. If the hog hadn't fallen ten feet from the last place I saw it I would have sworn he missed it clean. I sure didn't see any hit!

My advice to anyone with a "Ported" gun, be it a rifle, pistol, or shotgun, be extra courtious and always aware of where your buddies are. Those guns can do serious damage on both ends.

So does my 41 mag revolver that ported. I literally thought I blew out an ear drum the first time I pulled the trigger without ear protection. And that was with a very, very light load. Porting throws a lot of the blast back at the shooter.

Swampman · « **Reply #28 on:** September 09, 2008, 04:48:39 AM »

.45-70 gets my vote.

vinpar092 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 09, 2008, 11:25:54 AM »

45-70 for me as well