Marlin brought back the .450M(at least it's on their current webpage) and I heard that Winchester is bringing back a .450 levergun so I don't think that ammo will be nonexistant. I don't reload, but I have no problem finding .450 ammo right now, I got some at Cabelas a few weeks ago before they run out, and my local GM has a bunch of the Hornady Leverevolution loads on the shelf. Most of the unprimned .450 brass I see is around $1/rd.

 

The main case difference is the wider belt on the Marlin .450. I'd make a .458 x 2 in fact I did one in the 1980s, based on an XP100. Brass will continue to be easy to get and cheaper. Dies are a one-time investment and the price difference isn't a lot.

 

I am leaning towards the .458x2" but the dies (at least the RCBS ones) are quite a bit more expensive. $56 vs $170

 

Clarification: Marlin did not bring back the 450, it is a shame but they have not updated their website since late 2010. The last 450 was made in North Haven right before they closed the plant.

The 450 brass comes and goes regarding availability but you can usually find some on one suppliers site while the other is out. It is just under a $1.00/case unprimed. I really like the 450 so I might be biased. The brass, ammo and rifles by other manufacturers continue to exist so it is a choice you have.

Best of luck on your decision.

1895gunner

 

When I re barrelled My 450 I had the same thoughts, 458x2 or 450 Marlin, I checked around and found 200 cases new in the box, I also found the dies cheaper like you did and am able to shoot factory ammo if I want too. The reamer was also a little cheaper. I think the ammo and cases will be around for a long time.
But then if you are building a bolt action you could go with the 458x2 and lengthen the case and get more powder in their if you want too, Not that the animal will notice but you sure will
Lots of choices, Let us know what you decide. Good project have fun. Steve!!

 

I just won some more once fired Hornady long brass on GB. Can never have too much on hand is my motto. I buy new and used knowing that the price will only go up.

1895gunner

 

I dont understand why anyone would not stick with factory rounds. (double negative) Here's some good reading. Fom
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=garrett%20458&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.garrettcartridges.com%2Fpenetration.html&ei=67MyUaX9L4fM2gWc1YGIBQ&usg=AFQjCNHKxg0BX7coIA-yI6I3jW3i1iCxDg&bvm=bv.43148975,d.b2I

 

Marlin dropped their own .450 Marlin. The only two other rifles that I'm aware that are chambered in the .450 are the Browning BLR and the Steyr Big Bore. I'm not even sure if they both are still available. The only big company that loads the .450 Marlin is Hornady. All this makes getting .450 Marlin brass in the near future iffy and expensive. The beauty of the .458x2" is that I could take any range pickup magnum brass and chop them at the 2" mark and I now have .458x2" brass. I'm still on the fence but it does make the .458x2" attractive. I reload for everything I shoot.

 

I buy it when I see it... as a result I have a lot... 500-800 or so.

I'm guessen it may be hard to get at times... heck

It's hard to get anything now

Still I like the 450M so that is what I would do

Snake

 

They offer a trapper model i think in 450

 

The only .450 Marlin that Winchester was making was the model 94 Big Bore and Timber carbine. The Big Bore, the Timber carbine and the Trapper have been discontined for a few years now.

 

I have a Browning BLR "Takedown" levergun in 450 Marlin & realizing that the 450 Marlin case is purposely proprietary & CANNOT be made from any other commercially marketed caliber cartridge case I bought 40 x @20 boxes of Hornady factory ammo or 800 rounds for the brass. That should do me for a lifetime.
The unloaded 450 Marlin brass is exceedingly scarce (haven't seen a bag in years) and the only source I know of is to buy the factory ammo that is only made by Hornady.
The creators of the 450 Marlin (Marlin/Hornady) made a bad mistake in designing the cartridge with the proprietary belt which in essence condemned it to obsolescence. They would have been better advised to go with the 458 x2" or 458 American or 458 Short as some call it cause the brass can be made from 458 Winchester brass.

On the other side of the coin I know of no generic commercial levergun rifle models made in 458 x 2" (458 American,458 Short ) caliber.
Browning makes a BLR in 450 Marlin and Winchester (Miroku of Japan) makes a Model 94 levergun carbine (very expensive - $1400) in 450 Marlin.

If I was building a bolt action 458 rifle I'd chamber it in 458 x 2" (American, Short) as the brass can be readily made from generic 458 straight case stock or 458 Winchester brass and the 458 American is the ballistic equal (or better) than the 450 Marlin.

Don't throw your saddle on a dying horse........I think the 450 Marlin is going to be obsolete within 10 years

 

and the only source I know of is to buy the factory ammo that is only made by Hornady.

I believe Buffalo Bore and HSM also factory load the 450 Marlin, so you do have other sources to get brass. But to be honest, I have never seen those factory loaded brands in the 450 Marlin at any retailer, actually, I rarely see 450 Marlin period!

 

I found .450 Marlin unprimed brass on closeout at an online vendor last year. I bought a full case (6 x 50) for about $30/box. That gives me just under 400 pieces of brass in total.

 

Nice find !
They were probably long gone an hour after the add appeared on the internet.
I know a few guys who have been wanting to get hold of some brass without having to buy the loaded Hornady ammo.
The Hornady rounds are accurate and the 350 grain FP is a pretty decent bullet so I'll hunt with it til I build up some brass & then I'll load the cases with 400 grain Barnes "Originals" or 400 grain Barnes "Buster" bullets.......I've got a good supply of both.

 

So why are you building it? I don't get it, if your concerned about the cost of dies why go to the trouble and expense of a 458x2 chamber? There is no benefit over a 450 Marlin regardless of brass availability. 450 Marlin brass or ammo isn't going anywhere where 458x2 will be easier or less expensive. Buy a hundred or 2 pieces of 450 brass. Hell, 450 Marlin brass is about a buck a piece. $200 is 200 450 brass vs $170 for dies and no brass yet for 458x2. Temmi is dead on, buy a little here and there and you'll have a bunch. More than you'll be able to shoot in an afternoon without snot nunning down your face from recoil! Additionally, I know that 450 Marlin brass does not head space the same as other belted ammo and neither do all other brass. Not trying to be a troll but why wildcat a production round, especially if the $170 dies are "too expensive"?

 

Why am I building it? Why not! I like the odd balls. I've done more research since first posting this thread. The gunsmith that I may use has reamers for both so cost of chambering will be the same. .450 Marlin reloading dies will work on the .458x2". The .450 Marlin headspace on the belt like all other belted magnum but it's belt is wider to prevent chambering in other belted magnum. All H&H based belted magnum do headspace the same and have the same belt dimension. So in the end it all comes down to my original question of Hornady .450 Marlin brass availability.

 

Prophet river has stock i think and a guy in sask ummmm doug had some might be worth trying to find him......i may have his number. Both cals are a good idea i wanted to make a kimber into a 450 marlin or even a .458 wsm

 

If I was in your position and using a short action I'd go for the 450 Marlin. FWIW Midway list 450M brass as being available and its not that expensive vs the time required to cut, trim and prep brass. 3-400 pieces should last a very long time. As others have mentioned, in the unlikely event that it is discontinued as a chambering it will likely remain available through either Hornady or some one else like Starline. Just look at all the odd ball brass that is available these days.

If that still bothers you why not have your smith use a 450M reamer but use a H&H headspace gauge. You would then have a 458x2.1". Use any H&H brass and cut to 2.1" and use 450M dies.

Regardless of which route you take I would consider and measure all the various bullets you intend to use and prepare some dummies for your smith to use when setting the rifle up, ie get the throat sorted out at the outset. If you are considering cast bullets (and you should be) these generally work best with shorter throats. So the throat may need to be a compromise but at least you will have considered this in advance.

 

I am building one on a Model 70 just cause! Left the OD chamber area long on barrel just in case I wanted to switch to 458x2. Why be normal! Gtek

 

I was lucky enough to find about 400 rounds of once fired brass several years ago. It is a lifetime supply and then some for me. I hope the 450 stays around for a while, it is an awesome round.