Bolt Action .450 Marlin

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Bolt Action .450 Marlin

Posted: 8/6/2005 6:54:31 PM EDT

While picking up some odds and ends at a lumber yard today I swung into one of the local gun shops, not really looking for anything particular. What caught my eye however was a 1917 Enfield converted to .450 Marlin, synthetic stock with scope + BUIS with maybe a 20” barrel for $329, all in very good condition. I still would like to take a closer look, I didn’t stay to long, just checked it out real quick.

So what I want to know is what trouble does anybody see with this setup.

Brent

Posted: 8/7/2005 6:29:19 PM EDT

[#1]

Isn't the .450 belted? If so, I'd be concerned about chamber pressure in such an older reciever. If it's not belted, it may not be a problem then.

I'd check some reloading manuals & see what the SAAMI (sp?) specs are?

My .02

Posted: 8/7/2005 7:25:33 PM EDT

[#2]

SMLEs (which is also an "Enfield" though not the same as the 1917) have been converted to 45/70. Most guys who shoot them are operating in the 30,000 psi+ range, hotter than the old factory stuff.

The .450 Marlin was designed to use in the 1895 (or similar) actions, so it ought to be OK in a rifle that was originally chambered for .30 gov't (30-06).

Posted: 8/7/2005 7:29:29 PM EDT

[#3]

Gunweek

Marlin teamed up with Hornady Manufacturing to develop a belted case that is built for the higher pressures of the 450. The .45/70's working pressure is in the mid-30,000 psi level, while the 450 has a working pressure of 43,500 psi. This new belted case is the same length as the .45/70, and water displacement tests show that they hold the same amount of powder.

What I can find on the SAMMI max psi for .30-06 is about 60,000 psi and I think normal loads are about 48,000-52,000 psi. So pressure looks good.

The belt on the 450, IIRC was to made sure it never chambered in an older .45-70, that couldn't hold up to that type of pressure.

Edited- No it's not a SMLE, it's a Remington made "Enfield" that I know for sure.

Posted: 8/7/2005 7:41:47 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
Isn't the .450 belted? If so, I'd be concerned about chamber pressure in such an older reciever. If it's not belted, it may not be a problem then.

I'd check some reloading manuals & see what the SAAMI (sp?) specs are?

My .02

It is belted, to prevent you from chambering a High Pressure .450-M cartridge in an old and weak 45-70 rifle.

Posted: 8/8/2005 5:47:05 AM EDT

[#5]

The 1917 action is REALLY long. The 450 will fit nicely in a short action. Matter of fact Clark was doing them on short action Ruger 77's.

Posted: 8/9/2005 9:44:04 AM EDT

[#6]

If the 1917 is in good shape it should hold fine, A Square uses the 1917 for all it's big rifles. It seems like the short .450 Marlin is a waste in such a long action, you can easily fit .375 H&H plus length rounds in one. My only concern (other then the chance the smith didn't know what he was doing) would be that it feeds 100% reliably in that long action.

Posted: 8/9/2005 5:07:34 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Gunweek

Marlin teamed up with Hornady Manufacturing to develop a belted case that is built for the higher pressures of the 450. The .45/70's working pressure is in the mid-30,000 psi level, while the 450 has a working pressure of 43,500 psi. This new belted case is the same length as the .45/70, and water displacement tests show that they hold the same amount of powder.

What I can find on the SAMMI max psi for .30-06 is about 60,000 psi and I think normal loads are about 48,000-52,000 psi. So pressure looks good.

The belt on the 450, IIRC was to made sure it never chambered in an older .45-70, that couldn't hold up to that type of pressure.

Edited- No it's not a SMLE, it's a Remington made "Enfield" that I know for sure.

I've seen SMLEs converted to .45-70 which would make a nice 150 meter boar buster.

wganz
¶

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Bolt Action .450 Marlin

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