What twist rate does .450 Marlin use?

.450 Marlin typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.

What bullet diameter is .450 Marlin?

.450 Marlin uses a 0.4583″ (11.64 mm) diameter bullet.

Is .450 Marlin still in production?

.450 Marlin is active; typical availability is common.

What is .450 Marlin used for?

.450 Marlin is primarily used for big game, dangerous game.

What is .450 Marlin based on?

.450 Marlin is derived from the .458 Winchester Magnum case.

What are the best powders for .450 Marlin?

Reloading powders commonly listed for .450 Marlin include IMR 4227, Leverevolution, Reloader 7, H322.

Rifle · SAAMI

.450 Marlin

450 Marlin

Marlin and Hornady deliberately designed it to prevent use in old .45-70 lever actions — a safety feature built into the cartridge itself via a wider belt..

Caliber: 0.4583″ · 11.64 mm
Introduced: 2000
Case: Belted
Parent: .458 Winchester Magnum
Primary use: Big Game, Dangerous Game
Status: Active

Velocity2,000–2,225 fps

Energy2,664–4,392 ft·lb

Typical grains300 · 325 · 350 gr

Identity

Introduced: 2000
Type: Rifle
Origin: United States
Inventor: Marlin / Hornady
Manufacturer: Marlin / Hornady
Standard: SAAMI
Status: Active
Availability: Common

Build

Case capacity: 67 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:20
Primer: Large Rifle
Case type: Belted

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 43,500 psi
Eff. range: 200 yd
Max range: 500 yd
Recoil: 25–35 ft·lb

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd

Open in Ballistic Compare ↗

By real loads: 1,750–2,250 fps · 37 loads
Parent case: .458 Winchester Magnum

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Performance

Best for HuntingBarnes VOR-TX300 gr · TTSX FB · 2,300 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .450 Marlin ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · approximate

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	11.64	0.458	✓
Neck ⌀	12.21	0.481	✓
Shoulder ⌀	n/a
Shoulder angle	n/a
Base ⌀	13.03	0.513	✓
Rim ⌀	13.51	0.532	~
Belt ⌀	13.51	0.532	✓
Rim thickness	1.27	0.050	✓
Neck length	n/a
Case length	53.34	2.100	✓
Overall length	64.76	2.550	✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .450 Marlin is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 37 active loads across 14 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 37 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Barnes	VOR-TX	300	TTSX FB	2,300	3,523	—
Underwood	JHP	300	JHP	2,250	3,372	—
Hornady	LEVERevolution FTX	325	FTX	2,225	3,572	—
Cor-Bon	DPX TSX 325gr	325	DPX	2,225	3,572	—
Hornady	Outfitter CX	325	CX Solid Copper	2,225	3,572	—
Hornady	American Whitetail Interlock FP	325	Interlock FP	2,225	3,572	—
Hornady	LEVERevolution FTX 325gr	325	FTX	2,225	3,572	—
Hornady	FTX LEVERevolution	325	FTX Polymer Tip	2,225	3,572	—
Barnes	VOR-TX TSX FB 300gr	300	TSX FB	2,225	3,297	—
Hornady	LEVERevolution	325	FTX	2,225	3,572	—
Federal	Premium Trophy Bonded	338	Trophy Bonded Tip	2,200	3,632	—
Garrett Cartridge	+P	350	Hard Cast	2,200	3,761	—
Remington	Express Core-Lokt SP	350	Core-Lokt SP	2,100	3,427	—
Federal	Fusion SP	400	Fusion SP	2,100	3,916	—
Buffalo Bore	HC	350	LFN GC	2,100	3,427	—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

4 reloading powders listed for .450 Marlin, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

IMR 4227 Leverevolution Reloader 7 H322

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .450 Marlin

12 models in the database chamber .450 Marlin. Browse all →

Bergara B-14 Timber 450 MarlinBergara B-14 Timber 6.5 CreedmoorBrowning BLR Lightweight TakedownRuger No.1 .450 Marlin 26-inchRuger Guide Gun .450 Marlin 20-inchWinchester Model 94 Timber Carbine 450 MarlinBrowning Browning BLR Lightweight .450 Marlin 20-inchMagnum Research Magnum Research BFR .45-70 Govt 10-inchMagnum Research BFR .45-70 Gov'tBrowning BLR Lightweight 81 30-06 Sprg 22-inchMarlin Model 1895 45-70 Gov 22-inchBrowning BLR Lightweight

Lineage

Immediate parent

.458 Winchester Magnum

ⓘ Most-direct documented parent is .458x2-inch American (not yet in the reference).

Family TreeOpen .450 Marlin in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads37 factory loads for .450 Marlin↗Reloading4 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .450 Marlin↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Designed jointly to give lever-action hunters a significantly more powerful option than .45-70. The belt prevents chambering in .45-70 rifles, which couldn't handle the higher pressure. Pairs with Hornady's FTX bullet for dramatically improved lever-action ballistics.

FAQs

What twist rate does .450 Marlin use?: .450 Marlin typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .450 Marlin?: .450 Marlin uses a 0.4583″ (11.64 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .450 Marlin still in production?: .450 Marlin is active; typical availability is common.
What is .450 Marlin used for?: .450 Marlin is primarily used for big game, dangerous game.
What is .450 Marlin based on?: .450 Marlin is derived from the .458 Winchester Magnum case.
What are the best powders for .450 Marlin?: Reloading powders commonly listed for .450 Marlin include IMR 4227, Leverevolution, Reloader 7, H322.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 37 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →