Should work. Cycles faster too.

 

You just need to run faster than any of the others in your group.
Andrew

 

Why am I "chiming in" on this? I have as much experience shooting polar bears as I do appearing with the London Philharmonic as a guest conductor. Be that as it is, if your only projectile option if using the .450 is with a 300-grain bullet, that bullet doesn't have the sectional density of a 180-grain bullet out of a .30/06. If you could choose your .450 bullet, (and you chose something at 400 grains or more in weight), I'd go with the .450. If not, maybe the /06?

 

If you have a problem its gonna be up close. me, I think a 400 gr bullet and a gun you are familiar with is better. pratice before you go. and keep a wary eye out.

 

IMHO go with something 400 grs or heavier if using a 45-70 or 450 Marlin.

 

I'm going to share a story I read some years back....its an excerpt from an interview with an old eskimo man....he had 2 rifles a 30-30 for everything but polar bear and a 257 Roberts for the big bears...because polar bears are tough and take some killing

your 450 with 300gr projectiles will do nicely....if anything load em down to 1500/1600 fps....

 

Hornady's 9th edition for 450Marlin, 300gr VV N-130 starts at 46.3gr/1700fps, 48.7gr/1800fps, 51.1gr/1900fps, 53.5gr/2000fps, 56.0gr/ 2100fps, max being 58.4gr/2200fps.

I'd opt for the 450Marlin over the '06 for close encounters. But I'd rather have a heavier pill loaded, something 400gr. If you cannot find a 400gr pill, then a 350gr pill would be my second choice.
Using VV N-130 and a 350gr pill: 43.5gr/1600fps, 46.0gr/1700fps, 48.5gr/1800fps, 51.0gr/1900fps, max being 53.5gr/2000.
Hornady has a 350gr Interlock if you can find them. The 9th edition doesn't list load data for anything heavier than 350gr pills.

Hope this helps.

Jack

 

Save yourself all the BS. and just rent the mauser. That way you don't have to worry about reloading ammo, or paperwork/permits for the rifle and whatever else is required as far as documentation to take the weapon, to your final destination. I'm assuming you don't live in that area and are traveling there by plane. If you live in that location, then I would say work up a load and take your own rifle. Hodgdon's website has reloading data for the 450 Marlin, if you can get their powders. Good luck and stay safe.

 

Save yourself all the BS. and just rent the mauser. That way you don't have to worry about reloading ammo, or paperwork/permits for the rifle and whatever else is required as far as documentation to take the weapon, to your final destination.

This ^^^^^

And make sure you have a knowledgeable guide with you. There are a lot of simple but dumb sounding things that locals who live out there know that we would never ever think of.

You are in bad shape if you have to shoot a polar bear in the middle of the night. Better to keep curious bears noses looking somewhere else than to risk rolling with an animal that kills 900 lb moose and caribou with their bare paws.

 

Thanks for the pertinent responses all.

JACKTW I really appreciate you posting that data!

 

FURLONG, loading down to 1600fps, would the reasons be to do with how the energy is absorbed at the bear's end, or my end? Thanks

 

I think the world record polar bear was killed with a .22lr.

 

Nahhh... that’s just the record for a polar bear killed with a .22lr.... all the other competitors in that category were found in bear repellent-smelling scat piles mixed with little brass shells.... :biggrin:

 

I'd save myself the hassle of traveling with the firearm, etc...

Just rent the 30-06 Mauser. Mauser is one of the best bolt actions. The 30-06 is a proven killer of big bears.

Traveling with a rifle can be a pain, and the 45 caliber, 300 gr hollow point Sierra isn't known for deep penetration anyway.

Enjoy your trip!

Guy

 

No way would I use a 300 gr. bullet for Polar Bear in a 45-70 or 450 Marlin. If I had to make that kind of choice, I'd go with a reasonably hard cast bullet like the RCBS#45-400-FN for the 45-70/,450 Marlin. I shoot that one in a Ruger #1 45-70 using .450 Marlin data. I also have a load with the long Lee 500 gr. bullet at 1550 FPS. That one hurts at both ends but if I had to face a Polar Bear, I believe that's the load I'd use. Sadly, that bullet is too long for use in a Marlin.
Paul B.

 

agree with the majority - if you can't do 400 gr or heavier with the 450, a 200 gr 30-06 will be a better option.

I was planning a moose trip to Alaska for this September, but it fell through. 525 gr bullets were on the menu. Not that the moose need it, but for the chance encounter with a mountain grizzly. When you absolutely have to stop a charging bear, there is no substitute for bullet mass and sectional density. And a 300 gr .458 bullet doesn't fill that bill.

 

It was actually a grizzly. My bad. https://www.ammoland.com/2014/11/wh...014/11/what-22-rifle-did-bella-twin-use-to-kill-a-world-record-grizzly-in-1953/

 

I remember going to see the film of the world record polar bear being taken. Think it was around 1972. Some rich guy from NYC had scouts combing for record Polar Bears. He shot the bear with a 460 Whby or 458Win. I forget but I don't forget all his backups unloading on it too. I've never hunted polar bear or Browns. If you are ever in airport in Anchorage the one they have mounted there will give you pause of playing with 45/70 & 450. If it was me it would be 375H&H or better to open.

 

Depends on where I am, but in self-defense against a bear, the shot's going to be close. I'd rather have an 18.5" 45-70 throwing 425 gr or 525 gr at 1600 fps than a 24-26" 375 throwing 300 gr at 2500 fps.

If I'm out actually hunting bear, then yeah, a 9.3x62 or 375 H&H/Ruger would be a better choice, I think.

 

My earlier post was rushed to provide the answer to his question regarding load data. I had to run out for awhile but agree with wanting to use a heavier pill and with either Grizz or Polar bears, 400gr would be my minimum. If not a Swift A-Frame, then a good HCL bootlit would do the trick. It's all about penetration with big bears. I've been bluff charged by a Grizz and trust me, I was carrying my 35 Whelen w/250gr pill at the time but felt there is no such thing as too much gun. And a polar bear is larger than a Grizz.

Then again, we have a member who is an Alaskan guide and his rifle choice is a 444Marlin loaded with Hornady's 265gr superformance. He shot a bruin of a Grizz at close range and it was dead before it hit the ground.

Jack

 

I'd rather rely on multiple rifles and shooters than worry about the ideal load.
The Anchorage airport bear was taken by an archer, I would guess he might have had some (fire)armed backup, I sure would have.

 

I do agree it would be a hassle to bring a rifle on international travel. I think I would quiz my guides or outfitters regarding your question of which gun. If they are “renting” ‘06 mausers then they must work. If I was going to bring the Marlin I would go with a hard cast lead bullet or a solid copper pill. Like Judson, I have zero experience with polar bears but quite a bit ballistic knowledge. Good luck and take a lot of pictures to share with us.

 

I feel well armed for griz carrying my .44mag w/300gr HC. That's minimum requirement around here, but I don't lose any sleep.

I'd be way more comfortable with my own rifle, and 450 will get it done.

Post some pics after the trip!

 

Cartridge : .450 Marlin
Bullet : .458, 300, Sierra HPFN 8900
Useable Case Capaci: 61.266 grain H2O = 3.978 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.550 inch = 64.77 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Vihtavuori N130


Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2,0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !


Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms


-20,0 83 44,00 1820 2207 20784 2966 84,9 1,676
-18,0 85 45,10 1863 2312 22030 3064 86,1 1,634
-16,0 88 46,20 1906 2420 23355 3161 87,2 1,593
-14,0 90 47,30 1949 2531 24765 3256 88,3 1,553
-12,0 92 48,40 1992 2644 26264 3349 89,4 1,514
-10,0 94 49,50 2036 2760 27861 3440 90,4 1,476
-08,0 96 50,60 2079 2879 29564 3528 91,4 1,439
-06,0 98 51,70 2122 3000 31378 3613 92,4 1,404
-04,0 100 52,80 2165 3123 33314 3696 93,2 1,369
-02,0 102 53,90 2208 3249 35380 3775 94,1 1,335
+00,0 104 55,00 2252 3377 37588 3851 94,9 1,302
+02,0 106 56,10 2295 3508 39951 3923 95,6 1,270
+04,0 108 57,20 2338 3641 42479 3991 96,3 1,238 ! Near Maximum !
+06,0 110 58,30 2381 3776 45191 4055 96,9 1,207 ! Near Maximum !
+08,0 113 59,40 2424 3914 48091 4115 97,4 1,177 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10,0 115 60,50 2467 4053 51182 4170 98,0 1,148 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!


Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 104 55,00 2368 3736 45300 3867 99,0 1,211 ! Near Maximum !
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 104 55,00 2103 2945 30646 3657 87,2 1,413


In my opinion you can easily take your Marlin and be safe with it. I don't know about UK gun laws but I know that in UK you can get 405 grain cast bullets. I would recommend those cast bullets with flame shield or what was that copper plate under bullet.

 

In my opinion you can easily take your Marlin and be safe with it. I don't know about UK gun laws but I know that in UK you can get 405 grain cast bullets. I would recommend those cast bullets with flame shield or what was that copper plate under bullet.

Gas check.

But having said that, most folks find gas checks not necessary at pressures which yield less than about 520 m/s at the muzzle. And for heavy lead, 405 gr and heavier, 460-490 m/s at the muzzle is an excellent place to be.

 

Cartridge : .450 Marlin
Bullet : .458, 425, RCBS FN GC 45-405-FN+
Useable Case Capaci: 46.527 grain H2O = 3.021 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.550 inch = 64.77 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Vihtavuori N130


Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2,0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !


Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms


-20,0 86 34,40 1453 1993 19331 2383 88,6 2,073
-18,0 88 35,26 1489 2092 20702 2457 89,8 2,011
-16,0 90 36,12 1525 2193 22164 2529 90,9 1,952
-14,0 92 36,98 1560 2297 23726 2599 91,9 1,896
-12,0 94 37,84 1595 2402 25392 2666 92,9 1,842
-10,0 97 38,70 1631 2509 27175 2730 93,8 1,790
-08,0 99 39,56 1666 2618 29081 2792 94,7 1,741
-06,0 101 40,42 1701 2729 31119 2850 95,5 1,693
-04,0 103 41,28 1735 2842 33302 2905 96,2 1,648
-02,0 105 42,14 1770 2956 35643 2957 96,9 1,604
+00,0 107 43,00 1804 3072 38154 3006 97,5 1,562
+02,0 109 43,86 1839 3190 40848 3050 98,0 1,521 ! Near Maximum !
+04,0 112 44,72 1873 3310 43746 3091 98,5 1,482 ! Near Maximum !
+06,0 114 45,58 1907 3431 46849 3128 98,9 1,445 ! Near Maximum !
+08,0 116 46,44 1941 3554 50184 3161 99,2 1,409 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10,0 118 47,30 1974 3678 53774 3189 99,5 1,374 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!


Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 107 43,00 1887 3362 46804 2927 99,9 1,455 ! Near Maximum !
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 107 43,00 1691 2699 30423 2932 91,1 1,706

Quick load data for 405 grain cast bullet

 

Guys thanks all for your contributions and advice; upped it to 350gr and with the fps and fpe it is well within the governor of Svalbard's requirements. I really value your input as while we did not (and under circumstances where I'd need a rifle I hope not to) see a polar bear, as it was interesting talking to 'seasonaires' living there and their ideas about bear defence.

The Norwegians were very pragmatic and as one might say 'did not piss about', whereas some people out there from other countries had strange (cavalier?) ideas about it all.

It was also interesting to learn about storage when bringing your gun in from the cold to the warm - regards condensation drying out, or not, before you head back out where it will freeze again and could lock up the action. I was told to let it dry out, and if that's not possible, find something that works for you...

Anyway here are a few pics of this stunning land, Svalbard 78 degrees north:

View attachment IMG_2673.jpg

View attachment IMG_2886.jpg

 

Great photos! Thanks for the update.

Guy

 

Sounds like a great trip!