I have had muzzle-braked guns before. The brake (or porting) can be very nice from a recoil-management perspective. The trade-off is a significant increase in noise. My braked '06 was a bit unpleasant even with 32dB ear plugs in.

__________________
"A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have." --Gerald Ford

I own both the 1895M and the BLR/.450. Both are nice rifles, but the BLR is nicer in my book. Two things make it better for hunting in my mind. There is no duplicate safety and the ease of loading and unloading makes those chores not only easier, but safer as well. Also, I have no problems with the triggers on my three BLRs. Are they the best three triggers among all the rifles I own? Nope! But then again, only three rifles can have that, can't they?

__________________
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote
a blank check made payable to "The United States of
America" for an amount of 'up to and including my life.
That is honor, and there are way too many people in this
country who no longer understand it.

I've been reading interestedly for a while now, and interject this: In a Stevens break-action, 12g, sxs 28" gun, can one use the barrel-inserts of .444 or .450 centerfire as alternate calibers? I'm just looking for some safe alternatives. Thanks. Lamont.

Just picked up a Browning BLR T/D in 450 Marlin.
Thought about the Winchester 94 T/D but 2 things turned me off.......the ridiculously high price and the fact that the barrel is ported.
Both the Browning BLR and the new Winchester 94 are made by Miroku of Japan.
Have yet to range test my new BLR.
And YES! my new BLRs trigger is the typical heavy, gritty disgrace to the Browning race.
Going to see if my gunsmith can do something about lightening the trigger and making it more tolerable.
Too bad Browning won't deal with this outstanding issue as the BLRs infamous trigger has turned a lot of potential buyers away from this otherwise op quality gun.

Sorry to hear you're so down on your Browning's trigger. My BLR in .450 has a pretty nice trigger actually and it also shoots darn nice groups too. I also own Guide Guns in 45-70 and .450, but the BLR would always be my choice if it was dangerous game. No double safety, shorter lever throw and flawless function.

__________________
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote
a blank check made payable to "The United States of
America" for an amount of 'up to and including my life.
That is honor, and there are way too many people in this
country who no longer understand it.

450 Marlin Guide Gun is Lever action, has 18" ported barrel and will hammer Elk...use Leverevolution ammo...and feel safe in the woods

Anyone interested in a truly great Marlin 1895 Cowboy .45-70?
This one was purchased by Wally Wenzel of Murphy, TX.
Those of you never associated with SASS or cowboy action shootin will have no understanding of the significance of that so I will explain.
WW's SASS name was Dawg Nose. His posse was called The Black Dawg Posse.
WW had a federally licensed ammo plant in his place in Murphy.... He named it Black Dawg Cartridge Company.
His insistence on perfection for CAS/SASS shooters rapidly became legend.
He then began developing long range match ammo for each rifle seen in these matches...Sharps, Hi Walls, Creedmores...etc....
He bought one of each.
Usually in about 4 or 5 rounds he found the perfect load for each.
Then, he would sell the gun.
Eventually, GOEX black powder BOUGHT HIM OUT......and now, GOEX markets Black Dawg blackpowder ammo.
Anyway....I bought the 1895 Marlin Cowboy that he used to develop his load for that gun.
The barrel had been lapped for optimum research performance.
The rifle has been fired less that 100 times.
Smokeless only. Some Hornady, some Winchester, some Remington.I have a Marbles tang sight for it I will throw in.
It currently sports a a 3-9 X 40 in see thru rings.
It has brought down deer and hog several times with one shot only.
Local DFW, TX sales

I have a BLR in 358, I love it. But it is an early one -- before 81.

__________________
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those
who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
Thomas Jefferson

Life Member NRA
USMC Veteran 69-72

Have a 444S since 1973 and a BLR since 1983, Not a problem. But if I was the buy a 45 cal lever rifle i would look in to the Henry 45-70 because the 45-70 is chambered in many rifle models, plenty 45-70 ammo available vs marlin 450 ammo.

The BLR M450 with a 20" barrel would be a good choice new or used. The marlin I would buy one before the Remington takeover if you can find one.

Reloaders can really do a lot with the 45-70 and it is my understanding the M450 is better for none reloaders cause factory ammo is loaded to modern standards.

T NY

Only in a Marlin rifle.

Other 45/70 should be standard loads.

And

Reloaders can do a lot with the 450M... I do

Snake

This is true I should have pointed out the 45-70 can be reloaded to its full potential in modern rifles not old black powder or replica firearms or just old firearms. And I have no doubt that the M450 can be reloaded to ones needs. But that's not the point I was making. According to what I read the M450 was introduced so the owner reloader or not can buy modern commercial ammo off the shelf.

It is the practice (layered advised) of most if not all cartridge manufacturers to load 45-70 ammo to a level that should be safe in older 45-70 rifle.

This is where the M450 has a place, you can buy modern ammo for it in a mom and pop store.

I not own a 45-70 or a M450 this as just my opinion is base on my understanding is.

T NY

PS. There are other rifle that can/might handle higher pressure loads like the Ruger #1 45-70, Henry 45-70 , Rossi 45-70 new Winchester 45-70 but I'm not sure maybe someone who knows can tell us.