M14 Forum

Bravo 26

what's the best load for Large game? Like brown Bear?

fat bob

50 BMG
just kidding, couldn't help being a smarta$$

Jack Orr

I don't believe they make a load, hunting load, for the 450 that wouldn't take down a big brown bear. I like a large bore and the larger/tougher the animal, the larger the bore. Which one is best would be a personal choice IMHO. I would go for a cartridge that has a bullet that penetrates deep before expanding and the heaviest bullet out of your choices. Again, JMO. The thud effect seems to have always worked better for hunting than the speed/shock effect. My cousin had an apple orchard in N.Maine and he had to harvest bears every year to keep them from ruining his trees. I've had the chance to hunt bear any time I wanted, but after eating bear, declined each year. Some folks like bear meat. I'm not one of them and I don't shoot anything I don't want to eat unless it's trying to kill me or is a target. You have a guide gun? A photo would be great if you have a camera. PM me if you need help posting photos. Happy hunting.

Bravo 26

Thanks for the advice there Jack! I got steal on a used 450 marlin guide gun for 350$ out the door.. wife has the camera till saturday (she's out of town) but when she gets back I'll post some pics up.

I have found 350gr rnsp for around 27$ per box, and a company called Buffalo Bore sells 450gr loads for 50$ per box (ouch)

time to buy a set of dies!!

Jack Orr

This is one rifle that maybe reloading for would not pay off in the long run. Don't get me wrong. I love the guide gun and from what I have read about the 450, you can buy factory ammo that is not anemic, like what they did to the 45 70 because it has to fire in guide guns, as well as in over 100 year old trap door rifles. After a box of ammo, your shoulder will love the 30 cal. weapon. I would look into the Hornady loads. I believe it was a joint effort between Hornady & Marlin on this rifle/cartridge combo. The same rifle in 45 70 I would choose to reload as the commercial loads are loaded down to be safe in very old firearms. The 450 Marlin factory load is probably about as hot as you could handload safely IMO. BTW, great deal!

Bravo 26

yep..youre right..I just checked with my Smith, and he said the way to go is to buy a 200rnd case of 350gr hornady and let it be... this is not the type of rifle I'm gonna put lots of lead downrange with anyway.. figure 3-4 rounds sight in, and the remainder of the box to play with at first, then around 180rnds left for hunting/zombies/small aircraft/light armored vehicles, etc..

4570govt

This is my 45-70 load for ornery critters. 420 grain Cast Performance LBT heat treated solid over 52 grains AA 2230 CCI mag primer, crimped with Lee factory crimp die. Velocity 1800 fps. This same load, a friend of mine shot a 200 pound wild hog between the eyes and exited through a rear ham. That was almost 40 inches of penetration. Outstanding performance! The good thing about these loads also is because of reloading they only cost about $20.00 a box. I know you can get similar performance with your 450.

Bravo 26

thanks for the recipe bud! where can I buy some of those 420gr bullets? I have looked at Widner's and midway, no one carries anything over around 350gr..

4570govt

I'll have to get back with you on that. A shooting buddy of mine came up with those, and I'm not sure where we got them. We have a good stash of them though.

gatorshooter

I have the 450 GG and its great. I would have prefered the 45/70 however I got a Deal on the 450. The factory load is great. got a 5 pt last year on the run at 60 yds, front shoulder, big exit hole. he did a complete end over and there he stayed.
I like to shoot mine. I put the XS gost ring set up on it. Great for older eyes and very rapid target acq. I do reload so not a problem however I have been shooting the factory rds so far. Getting the brass the fun way. I may put one of those soft gel feeling recoil pads on it next. It is a little stiff on the shoulder. but not as bad as the 3 1/2" 12 ga. loads.
If you are Bear hunting or in serious Griz country and want some added penetration. check out some of the Cast performance loads/ Buffalo Boar. they used them to take the big 5 in africa. they are expensive. some of the dedicated lever gun forums have some good info on bullet molds and loads for the 45/70 GG and the 450. If you are reloading for them they are basically the same.

LawDawg

The .450 is an excellent cartridge, and I have been intrigued with it since it came down the pike. I've got a 1909 Argentine 98 large ring action that'll probably go to ER Shaw one of these days. If I get my way, she'll be wearin' a 20-22" heavy sporter in .450.

Love the guide guns.....but like the bolt-guns as well! Besides, who could turn down a short, fast handling "tusk buster"!!!

dprice3844444

magnum research makes a 7 1/2 or 10 inch bfr 45/70 pistol you can get a 450 marlin spare cylinder for.

n1hook

Bear bullets or cast performance lead 405 gr work up a load

Also 300 gr barnes

Powerkicker

I have one of these as well. I just handload the hornady 350 sfp for now.

dprice3844444

just use the 300 or so grain head.the dang thing is going to be trucken down the road at about 2200 fps or so.anything short of elephant won't stop it.


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