Wildcats on the .450 Marlin? And...

5852 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by alyeska338, Dec 6, 2002

andy

Discussion Starter · Nov 24, 2002 (Edited)

Hi, I'm not a wildcatter or even (I hate to admit it) a handloader, but it seems to me that the .450 Marlin has a lot of possibilities as a parent case. With the belt to control headspace, it would be ideal for a neck down to .400-.416 (it is my understanding that headspace is a concern on the .400 Whelen). Also it seems to me the case would be ideal for a short bolt rifle for those who don't care for lever rifles. I think about the Gibbs Enfield in 45-70 and wonder if it would handle the .450, advantage would be not worrying about someone stuffing your hot 45-70 handloads in a Trapdoor Springfield or original black powder lever rifle. Besides, wouldn't a short woods rifle on the Model Seven or a Featherweight or Ruger Ultra light be cool?

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Fireplug

· #3 · Nov 25, 2002

The .450 Marlin is a commercialised, safety version of the .458X2" wildcat. The short action bolt gun was the original vehicle for this round, and either it or the Marlin round can be chambered in them to good effect.

The Enfield is not as strong as most other bolt actions, and loads would have to be assembled with this in mind.

Future case availability is a good reason to look to the standard magnum case rather than the special Marlin case for wildcats of this type.

Beartooth has developed at least one round, the .416 Beartooth, much like what you are asking about.

Fireplug

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Fireplug

· #6 · Dec 6, 2002

Loader,

That sounds like a great idea. Can you elaborate on two parts of the idea though, specifically the sabot loads and the very heavy .45 bullets you mention? Neat Idea.

Andy,

Please, do not take this as in any way derogatory toward you; but Marlin's need to protect itself from the tort Bar aside the cartridge mistake argument here is silly. The little fat stubby .450 and any like cartridge (.458X2 or .416 Beartooth) is so different from the other belted magnums that anyone making this mistake is such a ripe candidate for natural selection that going that way might be a mercy. You state from the start that you are a begining handloader and as such your caution and concern for others is both wise and admirable, but that caution is better aimed at careful loading procedures when you begin loading rather than any concern about mistaking rounds this vastly different.

Fireplug

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