450 Marlin - recoil

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buckchaser

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I have a chance to purchase a BLR 450 Marlin for an attractive price. From what I've read it makes an excellent close range round for pretty much anything that walks North America. I've never fired the round before though.

A 180 grain 308 in a lightweight Tikka Battue is the heaviest recoil from a rifle I've personally fired. I have fired a lot of 12 gauge 3 inch wild turkey loads while patterning though. Any comparison between these and a 450 Marlin would be appreciated.

I'm not recoil shy, but not looking to have my shoulder blown off either.
 
If it's a straight grip BLR, then in my experience the recoil will be similar to a short barrel 12ga shooting 1oz slugs

I've found the straight grip models (Marlin too) tend to punish me a bit more than pistol grip models.
 
buckchaser said:
I have a chance to purchase a BLR 450 Marlin for an attractive price.
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I'd find out why it is for sale and why at an "attractive price". I'm thinkin' its an oddball hard kicker that's hard/expensive to find brass & ammo for.

buckchaser said:
From what I've read it makes an excellent close range round for pretty much anything that walks North America.
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IMHO ..... A short bbl 375 magnum would be a better choice.
 
Have two 450 marlin lever actions. Yup they kick but they are fun! Brass is hard to come by but ammo is usually available in the bigger gun stores. Is your BLR a take down? I don't think Marlin has made any rifles in the 450 caliber for about ten years now. Good luck with your new purchase.
 
Love the 450 marlin in a BLR. If Hornady would not rely on the leverevoltuion crap as their only commercial offering it would be more popular.
Recoil is very manageable and can be compared to a one ounce slug load from a twelve gauge.

CT
 
I have a 450 Marlin (1895M), really like it A LOT and have taken several deer from 30- 100 meters, all with cast bullets. I don't shoot jacketed stuff as I can't understand why someone would use them in a rifle that pushes slugs at less than 2000 fps, but that's just me. The brass lasts FOREVER. I've not lost 1 to reloading and stopped counting after 20+ reloads and several 1000's of rounds fired. If you purchase the rifle buy a box of new brass from Elwood Epps (site sponsor 1-705-689-5333). New brass is only from Hornady and I doubt you'll ever need to replace it.
As for recoil, I have 4 loads for it. #1- I use a PUSH through die from Lee and muzzle loading balls. (.490 dia) Sized down to .458, loaded over 10 gr 700X and seat the ball. The recoil is about the same as a 223, good to 25 yards. #2- I use slugs cast from RCBS 45-300 FN loaded over 13gr 700X. Accuracy is quite good out to 50 yards and not bad at 100. This is an excellent offhand, rapid fire load as the recoil is about 1/2 that of a 308, easily manageable and cheap to shoot. #3- Again RCBS 45-300 FN over 31 gr SR 4759. All the accuracy you could use out to 100 and plenty of power + for hunting deer. I've never been able to recover any slugs, full penetration and very quick kills. #4 RCBS 45-400 FN over 30 gr SR4759. VERY good accuracy out to 200 yards but recoil is quite noticeable to say the least. All of these loads should give the same performance in a 45-70.
I could have purchased a 45-70 and been very happy but I wanted the 450 JUST BECAUSE. It's my favourite rifle for hunting thick bush in Ontario, well worth it.
 
One of the hardest kicking guns I ever fired was a Winchester model 94 'trails end' takedown in 450 Marlin.
I think there is a BLR currently made in 450 Marlin.
The Marlin 1895M is no longer made.
 
remington jim said:
I have a BLR 450 Marlin and Recoil is not bad at all with the Hornady 325 gr factory loads - same as 45-70 Gov Recoil is HEAVY with my 500-540 gr handloads not much FUN to bench shoot ! lol FRJ
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Those 325 grain FTX 450M are hard hitting bullets from the LeveRevolution factory loads - about 2100 fps and 3500 ft-lbs ME.

A friend is thinking of getting his BLR takedown in 450 Marlin re-chambered to 458 Win Mag.
Ouuuuch !
 
I've owned a 450 marlin for 20 years, load my own ammo. Kick is no worse than a 12 gauge. Off the bench sighting in new loads, kick wears on you. Have shot many bears and deer with it, never notice kick
 
Slamfire said:
Cool round. Long range shots could be problematic (without the use of a ballistic reticle). But if you like big bore rifles have at it. I really like my take-down BLR. :cool:
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At 7 pounds and a 20" bbl the BLR 450 Marlin takedowns are not an unwieldily firearm.
And a short action BLR with a fast lever throw besides.

The takedowns are easy to clean.
Had one and sold it. Wish I hadn't. It was a tack driver with the leverevolution factory ammo (325 gr FTX).

Had a BLR in 300 Win Mag (long action).
7 pounds 12 ounces, 24" bbl, and a lever stroke like a well pump.
Sold it fast.
 
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