.450 Marlin Ladedaten

The .450 Marlin cartridge is a relatively modern entry in the world of big bore rifle rounds, having been introduced in 2000 as a collaboration between Marlin Firearms and Hornady Manufacturing. It was developed primarily to offer .45-70 Government-level performance in a modern, high-pressure design that eliminates the risk of accidentally chambering too-hot loads in older, weaker rifles. The .450 Marlin case is easily distinguishable by its belt and is based on a modified .458 Winchester Magnum case, shorted and necked for use in lever-action rifles. Its most prominent rifle platform is the Marlin Model 1895M, which brought new life to the legacy of hard-hitting lever actions tailored for serious hunting and backcountry defense.

The primary application of the .450 Marlin lies in hunting large game across North America and beyond. With its substantial muzzle energy and effective range, it is favored by hunters pursuing animals such as elk, moose, bear, and even bison in dense timber or brushy environments. The .450 Marlin’s efficiency in thick cover stems from its heavy, wide-diameter bullets, which deliver reliable stopping power, making it a go-to choice for guides and outdoorsmen who may encounter dangerous game at close quarters. While the cartridge does not have the long-range flat trajectory of modern magnums, its real strength is in delivering decisive performance within 150 yards—a niche few other lever-action cartridges occupy as well.

Target species for the .450 Marlin generally include North American big game, particularly where deep penetration and swift, humane kills are essential. Whitetail and mule deer, though targetable with lighter calibers, are easily handled with mild-recoiling loads of the .450 Marlin, while heavier-weight bullets make it a strong selection for black bear or grizzly defense. The cartridge’s effective range and hard-hitting characteristics also make it popular among hunters traveling to Africa for plains game that do not require a full-powered dangerous game rifle but still benefit from substantial bullet mass and frontal area.

Reloaders will find the .450 Marlin especially amenable to handloading. Typical bullet weights range from 250 to 405 grains, with 350-grain projectiles being a particularly common and well-balanced choice for general use. The cartridge’s belted case ensures smooth cycling in appropriately chambered rifles while also providing a robust platform for the higher pressures allowed in modern firearms. With a bullet diameter of .458 inches and a case length of 2.100 inches, the .450 Marlin delivers velocities comparable to stout .45-70 loads while maintaining a safety margin for modern guns. For the reloader, this translates to flexibility in bullet and powder selection, allowing custom loads for everything from mild plinking rounds to serious big-game hunting ammunition, all while maintaining the cartridge’s outstanding performance and reliability in the field.