Trade Winchester 94 .30-30 for Marlin 1895 in .450?

[AZRedhawk44]

I've got two Winchester 94's... one is a mid-70's era rifle I got used for $100 that shoots great, and the other is one of the last ones off the USRAC line before shut-down, still NIB.

I've got a friend that wants to trade for the new Winchester, and he has a Marlin 1895 in .450 that only has a couple of boxes of ammo through it.  Trade includes the once-fired brass.

Recoil is too much for him and he doesn't see himself getting into hunting... certainly not for any game that would be best served by a .450.

I've shot a .450 before and while it's certainly a stout cartridge, I can handle it.  And, I'd have a use for it as I go out hunting.  I could see using the rifle for elk or black bear here in AZ.  I certainly have a hole in my rifle pool for it, too.  I don't like the idea of hunting with my Mosin 91/30 since the safety is so awkward on it, and that's the only bolt gun I have.  The safety is extremely loud on my M14, and those don't react well to using anything over about 170 grains.  Those are the two most powerful rifles I own right now, and neither is well suited to the hunt.

What say you, APS?  Make the trade?  I'm leaning towards "yes" but I'd love to hear from .450 or .45/70 owners and see if yours gets shot, or just collects dust in the corner.

[roo_ster]

Keep the 1970's era good shooter, trade the NIB.  Yesterday.

I would prefer a Marlin 95 in .45-70, but .450 will do the same with less-common brass.

I filled the high-power end of my rifle collection with a CZ500 American Safari in .375H&H.  Both will do the trick on anything in the USA, though use slightly different means.

Have fun with the heavy-metal slinger.

[mtnbkr]

I agree with Jfruser.  I too would prefer the 45-70, but there's nothing wrong with the 450 if it fills a niche for you.

Chris

[AZRedhawk44]

Ideally, I'd like it to magically transform to a .45/70 but that isn't going to happen.

I think I'll make the trade this weekend.

[MechAg94]

I would certainly keep the older Winchester, but it sounds like a decent trade for the newer one.  You might not shoot it much, but it is another rifle type in your inventory.  You may not have a collector's streak, but I have one a mile wide.  :)

I have a Marlin 1895 CB in 45/70 which I have shot very little for as long as I've had it.  I have planned to start doing some longer range target work with it and maybe get a single shot also.  However, I keep putting it off and I am busy playing with 223 and 308 rifles currently.  I think I need to get a reloading kit before I do that though.

[mtnbkr]

Ideally, I'd like it to magically transform to a .45/70 but that isn't going to happen.

You might be able to trade it with someone who has the 45-70 but wants more power for hunting (and doesn't reload).

Chris

[K Frame]

I agree, that's a good trade.

[JonnyB]

If I remember correctly, the .450 Marlin can digest standard .45-70 ammo just fine. The .450 cartridge has a magnum 'belt' that prevents chambering it in a .45-70 rifle. You can have both in a single package.

I've lusted for a .450 marlin for a long time but it's (for me) a stupid rifle to own, not being a moose or elk (or dangerous critter) hunter.

jb

[Gewehr98]

Hell, no!

The .450 Marlin is a belted rimless design, with a belt and rim diameter of .528", since it's based on the old .375 H&H cartridge.  A rifle chambered in .450 Marlin has no relief cut for the .45-70's .608" diameter rim, which is .070" thick, 20 thousandths thicker than the .450 Marlin's.

You won't even get the bolt closed on a .450 Marlin gun if you try to chamber the .45-70, nor would the extractor get a grab on it since the latter's rim is 80 thousandths bigger in diameter...

Then there's the unsupported case when (assuming you could get it chambered) the fired .45-70 tries to fill out the space between the case head and belted area of the .450 Marlin's chamber profile.

Bad juju, any way you look at it.

Shoot .450 Marlin in a .450 Marlin gun, and .45-70 in a .45-70 gun.  Period.

[MechAg94]

Hey Gewehr98, I think it was your posts and pictures that got be thinking I need to start shooting my 45/70 in 2009.  Thanks. 

If one was to try to get a good 45/70 target gun, what you recommend looking at that doesn't have a 2 year wait?  I would prefer one with at least the historical look. 

[Bigjake]

Like everyone else has said, good trade.

You'll like the results from the .450.  I've owned one and it's hell on feral cats and woodchucks. 

[seeker_two]

Can you rebarrel a .450Marlin to .45-70?...

[Gewehr98]

The 2-5 year wait is only for C. Sharps and Shiloh Sharps guns.  Even then, there are forward-thinking dealers who have them in stock, being savvy enough to place advanced orders for their inventory:

http://www.shiloh-ballard.com/shiloh_sharps_rifles_for_sale.htm

Or you can buy a Pedersoli or Uberti Sharps, which are damn fine shooting and accurate guns in their own right.

That's not to say you couldn't have an absolute blast shooting a Rolling Block, or Browning/Winchester HiWall chambered for .45-70, either. 

The latter guns are in stock via several outlets.

I've got a buddy in VA who shoots an H&R Buffalo Classic in .45-70.  They're considerably cheaper than a Sharps/Rolling Block/HiWall, yet still quite nostalgic.
 

 

[41magsnub]

I still need to figure out what the hell I am doing with my .45-70 Shiloh Sharps.  I'm apparently not smart enough to use a Vernier sight...  It will get done this year.