Am looking to load 420 gr. Cast in my 450 Marlin (calibre) BLR. I think the BLR will withstand more pressure than the Marlin Lever actions. Will be using 420 GC cast, was suggested to start at 48 gr. RL7, anybody got any further suggestions? Will be used strictly as bear defense at my cabin in the Chilcotin where the Griz are big! Thanks-Karl
Cast bullets in 450 Marlin
- Thread starter hermie
- Start date
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Pm sent Re: contact info for bullets.
47 grains of RL-7 is over the maximum load listed by Alliant for a 405 grain jacketed bullet. It may be safe with a 420 grain cast bullet but you would have to work up to that level very carefully. In any case you would be launching the bullet at over 2000 fps which will probably lead the barrel if you use an alloy soft enough to expand on contact with a bear.
Having owned and shot both I question your assumption that the BLR is a stronger action than the Marlin 1895. I do know that the BLR is a more fragile design with a weaker extraction system. The first time you realize you have reached maximum pressure in a BLR is when the case sticks in the chamber and the racking gears strip as you try and open the action.
If I was to suggest a "bear load" for your BLR it would be the Hornady 350 grain Jacketed Round Nose at ~2100 fps. or a good hard-cast 405 grain at ~1700 fps
The hard cast LFN Gc 420 grs. are meant for velocities up to over 2000fps without leading, a load of 48grs. of RL-7 will give approx.30,000cup, well below factory loads in the .450 Marlin, and depending on barrel length, around 1800 fps....a good starting load. The use of light jacketed bullets on grizzly bear is not recommended, as the bear may be mad already and you don't want to make him madder!! Suggesting lighter bullets, without the full frontal meplat of the LFN, and BHN 28 hardness, doesn't make much sense either, think of the person with the bear in front of him!
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I 've shot enough big game to know better, why on earth would someone recommend a lighter, less effective bullet then the one the poster is using??? Why recommend a run of the mill 405 gr. soft bullet or even softer and lighter jacketed bullet, for close quarters use? The use of heavy flat pt.,WFN or LFN cast very hard has been proven to be best by such as Johnson in Alaska who makes a living guiding bear hunters, and it is well known, so why would someone suggest something obviously lighter and not appropriate??
H322 is a great powder for the 45/70 and 46grains of that should net you 1650fps. This powder seems to give good accuacy with all weights of bullets. I shoot Jae Bok Youngs bullets, his Crater lite 420grain cast bullets are of the highest quality, give good accuacy 1moa, and are ment for big game hunting. I also have some 550's that are quite impressive.
BTW I've used the 350gr Hornady (fn & rn) @ 1900fps 10ft from a 18.5in barrel. These are good bullets that I've used to take deer, bears, and moose with. They penitrate just fine and to date, have always left two holes with massive blood lose.
Cheers
Seabass
BTW I've used the 350gr Hornady (fn & rn) @ 1900fps 10ft from a 18.5in barrel. These are good bullets that I've used to take deer, bears, and moose with. They penitrate just fine and to date, have always left two holes with massive blood lose.
Cheers
Seabass
