45-70 / .450 Marlin

[cevulirn]

I just got myself a .450 Marlin... For something like that reloading is pretty much a must.

My first question though... is bullets. Both take a .458 diameter bullet, and from what I see, those tend to be pricy. Anyone have any bullet recommendations?

[Richard Simmons]

Here's a few options.

http://gunwalker.com/450marlin/handloading.html

[O.S.O.K.]

Cast boolits work great - for general shooting and hunting. If you don't cast, then I would recommend http://www.lasercast.com - if you go over 1600 fps, then choose a gas check type.

For a good bulk pack jacketed bullet, I really like Remington bulletS - 350 hp's and 400 grain soft points. Economical and great performance.

[old Grump]

RCBS sells bullet molds for the .458 sized all the way from plinking rounds to knock house down size and they sell the gas checks to put on them. I use them for the .348, 32 Win spcl and the 30-30

[Viking350]

Cast boolits work great - for general shooting and hunting. If you don't cast, then I would recommend http://www.lasercast.com - if you go over 1600 fps, then choose a gas check type.

For a good bulk pack jacketed bullet, I really like Remington bulletS - 350 hp's and 400 grain soft points. Economical and great performance.

The link took me to a page that said:

This domain has recently been listed in the marketplace at DomainDirectory.com. Inquire Now or check out our services.

[Gunreference1]

Oregon Trail® Bullet Company - http://www.laser-cast.com/

.459 bullets - http://www.laser-cast.com/45Cal.html

Steve

[cevulirn]

Oregon Trail® Bullet Company - http://www.laser-cast.com/

.459 bullets - http://www.laser-cast.com/45Cal.html

Steve


Alright, now I have options for plinking bullets.. Gotta figure out which dies to get too.

[O.S.O.K.]

Ah, CRS strikes again...

For dies, my recomendation is Hornady or RCBS.

[Shooting Looney]

I like RCBS and Redding dies, but also use ancient [like me!] Herters dies.
Don't forget the .45-70 is perfectly capable of taking any game animal you might care to eat, (and a few you don't...).
I use a Remington Rolling Block .45-70 for ground hogs, and there is no question if you got a hit or not, plus it is great practice for big game shooting! If you can hit a ground hog at 200 yards, you can kill a deer at the same distance! I mostly shoot the 500~525 grain Postnel, or the standard 405 grain- can't fathom lighter boolits...
I have a copy of an article on the 'Sandy Hook Trials' by W. John Farquharson, down in the Carolinas in 1879, where they shot the Trap Door against the Martini in .577-.450 at TWO miles. (http://www.researchpress.co.uk/longrange/sandyhook.htm )
And I cannot tell you how many times I have heard guys behind the counter at gun shops tell people the .45-70 is a great 100~150 yard cartridge! I guess all these young bucks never heard about 1,000 yard competitions! I guess them are the same guys who think there is such a thing as a Pre-64 Winchester that ain't the Model 70!