.450 Marlin (vs.) 45-70

Right up front, let me say, I am a big fan of the Marlin model 1895 45-70.

The 45-70 cartridge was developed by the US Army's Springfield Armory for use in the Springfield model 1893. My research tells me it was a replacement for the .50-70 government which was adopted in 1866, one year after the end of the civil war. The accuracy standard at the time for these rifles was 4 inches at 100 yards. (Wikipedia Ref)

If you are a hand loader, then I suspect you do not need to read my post on these two calibers. If you are NOT, then you need to know that ammo availability is much greater for the 45-70 than for the .450 Marlin. I visited a small gun shop in Maine on a recent bear hunt with Carey Outfitters in Rangeley, ME. I found in a very limited factory ammo selection, (2) boxes of Remington 300 grain 45-70 ammo  on the shelf. There was not any .450 Marlin ammo. IF you had flown to Rangeley instead of driving as my son and I did, I found it comforting that I could have bought the two boxes, went to the local gravel pit and re sighted in very quickly with the Remington fodder and not felt slighted in the least. With a .450 Marlin and no ammo, the Kittery and Cabelas were over 2 hours south of Rangeley. In a more remote location, it could have ruined a trip.

Very little research shows the following factory ammo available for the 45-70:

At "The Sportsman's Guide" I found Hornady 325 grain FTX leverevolution ammo, Federal 300 grain SHCSP Power Shok, Federal Fusion 300 grain,  Winchester Super-X 300 grain JHP, Remington 405 grain SP and 300 grain JHP. All of the above listed loads are excellent for both deer, and black bear hunting, and all listed for between $28.97 and $41.17 for a box of 20.

Similar offering are to be found at Natchez Shooting supply, Able Ammo, Cabelas, Midway USA, Cheaper Than Dirt and others. For more performance than the above choices, Midway USA carries FIVE different Buffalo Bore loadings for the 45-70. They are Plus P Plus 300 grain JHP. a Plus P 430 grain LFN, a Plus P 350 grain JFN, a Plus P 405 grain JFN and last,  but certainly NOT least a Plus P 500 grain FMJ. Garrett cartridge has a wider selection and boasts the widest meplat ammo in the business. They load 45-70 ammo capable of taking any creature on God's green earth. Grizzly ammo makes a Plus P 350 grain JFN for the 45-70 and CorBon also lists (4) different loads including a 350 grain bonded core. a 405 grain FP, a 300 grain DPX and a 460 grain hard cast load. I have found the Corbon ammunition to be first class ammo and VERY accurate out of my model 1895.

The .450 Marlin was introduced in 2000 as a joint effort between Hornady and Marlin.
As of this writing here are the following factory loads for the .450 Marlin. One is a 350 grain Hornady Interlok and the other is a 325 grain FTX Leverevolution round, both available only from Hornady ammunition. Buffalo Bore also makes two loads. One is a 430 grain LFN at 1900 fps and 3446 ft lbs, and a 405 grain JFN at 1975 fps and 3507 ft lbs. Both of these loads are called Buffalo Bore Heavy Loads and list for $64.14 and $62.81 for a box of 20.

I believe it was designed to put factory ammunition available in a rifle that would be able to withstand the pressure and designed around the 350 grain factory load. 45-70 ammunition on the other hand is loaded to different levels depending on the rifles in which they are used. These are normally designated (Trapdoor), (Marlin model 1895) and (Ruger #1) In other words, you would not want to use Garrett or Buffalo Bore ammo in a Trapdoor rifle because of chamber pressure. You MUST pay attention to the 45-70 ammunition to determine if it is SAFE in your rifle. If in doubt, consult a gunsmith before you shoot.

Other than the availability of factory ammo including ammo made especially for cowboy action shooting, I have NO problem with the .450 Marlin. I also forgot to mention that Cabelas normally offers great deals on bulk 405 grain ammo for the 45-70. I just feel the 45-70 is so much more versatile if one does not hand load.

Dan

John chapter 3 NAB "Now there was a Pharisee, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. (2) He came to Jesus at night, and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him. (3) Jesus answered and said to him, Amen amen, I say to you, no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born from above. (4) Nicomdemus said to him, "How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot re-enter his mother's womb and be born again, can he? (5) Jesus answered, "Amen, amen I say to you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and spirit. (6) What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of the spirit is spirit. (7) Do not be amazed that I told you, "You must be born from above".