Big bores

[Mallardsr]

Well, I haven't posted in a while, I thought I could count on yall to talk me out of a purchase. While in a pawn shop here local, I found a Marlin lever guide model of a .450. Now all of a sudden, I gotta have it. Dont know why, I lost my deer lease, but its all I can think about. This happens ever so often, I buy the item and all is good. Realistically what could I need with this gun living in Tennessee? I think its crazy myself, but I get struck with stupid sometimes also. Help! RP

[KySongDog]

Well, I'm afraid I won't be much help in talking you out of buying it.   I've got the same problem.

When I was up in Alaska visiting Tikanni, I got introduced to a Marlin lever guide gun in 45/70.  I've been salivating over buying one ever since.  I don't need it.  We don't have grizzlies in KY.  But I sure want one awfully bad. 

[FOsteology]

Yeah, I do believe you've come to the WRONG place for help and emotional support. And in regards to "need"...... since when has THAT ever discouraged a rifle looney? 

I speak from experience brother man..... if you have an itch, scratch it!

I've got a Marlin .444 that is a hoot. Bowls hawgs over like bowling pins.
I bet you have feral hawgs in TN..... .450 Marlin would be some good medicine for what ails ya. 

[coyotehunter_1]

Realistically what could I need with this gun living in Tennessee?

ZOMBIES... really, really big Zombies!!! 

...but its all I can think about

Like FOs... I'm a 444 Marlin owner... do I NEED it? Maybe, maybe not but... hey, sometimes we just need to scratch the itch.

[Hawks Feather]

Well, if you really want to be talked out of it . . . . go in and ask if you can try the gun out.  Take one round and load her up.  Then lean back against the largest tree that you can find (you wouldn't want the recoil to shove you back) and then fire that one round.  Then make your decision.   

Jerry

[Mallardsr]

Dang, is the recoil that bad? I had  a .35 remmy. this does look ballistically like a step up. How about $475 out the door for a price?

[coyotehunter_1]

Here's a few words of wisdom from someone who knows a bit about big bores and lever actions:

“When we approach 2,000 fps in either the .45-70 or .450 Marlin, recoil gets to be a bit brisk. While the recoil would not be a bother in a hunting situation, the porting and recoil pad do an excellent job of making the .450 Marlin "enjoyable" off the bench.” ~John Taffin

More:
The .450 Marlin A Magnum In Disguise by John Taffin
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_6_47/ai_74033118/

[Mallardsr]

Thanks Chet. That article didnt help my problem, it fed it. What should one pay for such a bruiser?

[KySongDog]

If you need ammo for that .450, try these:

Buffalo Bore  405gr  1,975fps  and 3,507 ft lbs   ( that should take care of any hog in TN)

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=43

Their 45/70 loads go to 3,597 ft lbs.  which is just slightly more than the .450

[Mallardsr]

Ya know how to skin grizz pilgrim?

[Tikaani]

Help talk you out of buying a gun, sorry can't help you with that.        If you need encouragement when buying one, then I can help. 

John

[FOsteology]

Personally, a hot loaded .444 Marlin is about all I want to handle in a lever action. The lever gun stock design, dimensions, ergo, etc. just seems to accentuate felt recoil.   
I shot a Winchester 94 Timber Carbine .450 Marlin loaded up with hot loaded Buffalo Bore ammunition (450gr. if memory serves correctly) once......

That combo will knock some fillings loose!

[slagmaker]

Ya know how to skin grizz pilgrim?

I  can skin em just as fast as you can find em

[Todd Rahm]

That would be like me asking someone to talk me out of buying a predator call, lol! Good luck with that! 

[CCP]

Only thing that makes a Tennessean feel better than buying a 450 is buying one for a poor Alabamian.

I will PM you the address of my local FFL I use, and don’t forget a case of those boolit’s Semp mentioned.. 

All jokes aside you really need to get the 450. A few guys mentioned BIG hogs are in the LBL and I would feel much safer if you were totin the 450, I don’t think my little machine gun can handle’em by itself.

Also when you talk to people about your coyote addiction at least half of them tell you about the wolves and Black Panthers that live behind their Grandma’s house. Now do you really want anything less than a 450 while encountering one of those?? 

I had originally written a reply with the reasons  you should by a new gun but when I went to post it a warning popped up "Not enough bandwidth" So I guess it was a little long.

[coyotehunter_1]

Wolves and panthers... OH MY!!!  And let's not forget those pink elephants that have been seen from time to time.

[Hawks Feather]

Recoil depends on the weight of the rifle, etc., but this will give you a quick overview of the recoil for several different calibers and different weight rifles.

Caliber   Rifle Weight   Recoil (lbs)
.17 HMR (17 at 2550)   7.5   0.2
.22 LR (40 at 1165)   4   0.2
.223 Rem. (55 at 3200)   7   4.1
.22-250 Rem. (55 at 3600)   8.5   4.2
.243 Win. (100 at 2960)   7.25   9.3
.270 Win. (130 at 3140)   8   16.5
7mm-08 Rem. (140 at 2860)   7.5   14.6
7mm WSM/SAUM (160 at 2795)   8   22.4
7mm Rem. Mag. (140 at 3150)   8   23.5
.30 Carbine (110 at 1990)   7   3.8
.30-30 Win. (150 at 2400)   7.5   11.7
.308 Win. (165 at 2700)   7.5   17.9
.30-06 Spfd. (165 at 2900)   8   22.5
.300 Win. Mag. (180 at 2920)   8   26.5
.300 Wby. Mag. (180 at 3190)   8.5   34.7
.338 Win. Mag. (225 at 2780)   9   33.6
.338 Win. Mag. (250 at 2660)   9   29
.340 Wby. Mag. (250 at 2860)   9.5   43.2
.340 Wby. Mag. (250 at 2963)   10.9   42.9
.338-378 Wby. Mag. (225 at 3180)   9.75   64.3
.44 Mag. (rifle, 240 at 1760)   7.5   12.1
.444 Marlin (240 at 2350)   7.5   26.5
.450 Marlin (350 at 2000)   7   41.8
.45-70 (350 at 2100)   10   32.1
.458 Win. Mag. (400 at 2380)   9.25   57.9
.50 BMG (647 at 2950)   30   82.9
.600 NE (900 at 1950)   12   145

[slagmaker]

Now that^^^^^ is some information

[KySongDog]

Nice chart, Jerry!

And, whew!!, I was just getting ready to drop the hammer on a .600 Nitro Express.  Me thinks me is gonna re-think that decision.   

[Mallardsr]

Does the chart mean that because the 45-70 is 3lbs heavier it cuts recoil by 25% or does the .450 create more pressure to do the same job?