45/70 or 450 Marlin ???

[IntelGDR691]

I'm considering to buy a guide gun, but i wonder in what caliber should i go.
I'm not a handloader (i may become in the futur).

If i decide to go with the 450, what about the ammo availability?
By the way, how do you clean those marlin lever gun?? (chamber and action)

thanks

 

[JasonYuke]

This question has been sought over quite a bit on this forum with the 45/70 comming out on top 9 out of ten times.
I looked at the 450 marlin when they first came out about 4-5 years ago and this is why I went the 45/70 way.

I reload so I can match the same velocity from a marlin 45/70 as the 450. Brass is much more available and easy to get. Bullet wieght and size is identical.
The 45/70 works very well loaded down and is proven with lead casts, and black powder.
And I already owned a 45/70 falling block.So no new reloading equipment needed

The down side if you do not reload the 450 will eat the 45/70 factory loads for breakfest. This is due to the 3 different load data for action types, safety concerns.

A hand loaded 45/70 out of a modern loaded firearm will bark the same as the 450. So its up to you!

 

[1899]

I would only choose the .450 Marlin in a custom bolt action or a Browning BLR. If you like lever actions, then consider the latter; it can be loaded with pointy bullets like the Barnes X or Swift A-Frame. Since you don't handload, you will be stuck with low power factory loads in the 45-70.

 

[Silverado]

I would say that with either one, you really should include the cost of a basic loading kit into your acquisition budget. As stated, you can pretty well duplicate 450 ballistics in handloaded 45/70, but even if you choose the 450, you'll have better ammo available to yourself at a much reduced cost if you roll 'em yourself.