[turner]

For whatever reason I got the itch for another big bore lever rifle recently. I started looking for another .444 Marlin to scope and have as a companion to the one I already own topped with a peep sight. Along the way I found a killer deal on an 1895M (.450 Marlin) I simply could not refuse, even though I already had a BLR in that cartridge.

It took forever for it to arrive (bad omen, maybe?) and my worst fears were realized within about 1 minute of opening the box at the receiving FFL. I'd read a good bit about Marlin's recent woes and thought I had a handle on what years should still be quality made rifles owning two that had been made in '07 and this one's being made in '08. Not so smart as I'd thought or oughtta be, I reckon. :no:

The rifle will be sent back to Marlin for replacement stock(s) as the buttstock is grossly ill-fitted and the forend is a complete mismatch to it as well. I actually believe that somehow a birch wood forend got installed along with a walnut (what's supposed to be there) butt. Anyway, within about 18 hours or so I'd spoken to Marlin customer service and finally was told to go ahead and ship it to them for repairs or replacement (should be replacement!)

I now know better than to buy any NIB Marlin product before thoroughly looking it over first. Perhaps the one good thing is that I've obviously been able to do a good once-over on the metal finish and also the mechanics of this particular rifle. There have been many recent complaints about both those things and this rifle looks to be trouble free in those departments. The action works smoothly and has been function checked with both 350 & 325gr loads and the trigger is excellent.

Maybe it will all work out in the end....:wallbash:

 

[turner]

I've went and done the same thing in ordering that X-Bolt Browning especially through Dick's sporting goods. The 325 wsm might be a tad more than I want to tackle but at 50% off I couldn't pass. The model is the RMEF special x-bolt. I hope for really nice wood on it. One good thing is it should always be worth more than I paid for it. Sight unseen sometimes comes back to haunt you, sometimes we never learn. h34r:

I will certainly give you the nod with buying Browning sight unseen vs Marlin after all their recent problems...

 

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You must be a little immune to recoil. I fired a couple rounds through a 45-70 Guide gun and decided that I will stick to my 30-06s. The 450 Marlin is suppose to be a lot more energy/recoil.

Karl

Both the 45-70 and .450 have fairly stout recoil with all the loads I use in them. I've fired the LE 325 in both guns (2000 & 2225 FPS) plus some 400gr @ 1800 FPS in the 45-70 and 350gr @ 2100 FPS in the .450. If I know I'm going to shoot more than just a couple to check zero, I way prefer to use a lead sled to help out with the recoil. My .444 shooting 265gr @ 2325 FPS is a step down in felt recoil. There's just something about those big ole bullets though.....:boxing:

 

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It is a great idea to use the Lead Sled to take the punishment. I have watched a lot of shooters during the Hunter Sight In Days almost crying firing their 12 ga slug guns. After 5-10 rounds through their shotguns they are many times unable to shoot any kind of a group to adjust their scopes or sights. They are anticipating pain coming at the pull of the trigger. I remember John Wooters as a fine author who detached his retna in his eye. I think heavy recoiling rifles were what was blamed for it. He was able to get it re-attached but due to his vison not returning after months he switched over to left eye/left hand shooting. I don't remember Craig Bottington another popular Guns and Ammo author every reporting on the dangers of recoil causing real injury.

Karl

If there's anyone wanting to gain a large block of knowledge from reading a book about guns, shooting and what's an appropriate cartridge, Boddington's book on the "American Hunting Rifle" is as good as it gets. I've read O'Connor (love him!) and Keith (like him as well), but if you want to hear from a man that's killed lots of game and simply pulls from those experiences, then you need to read Boddington!!

For the record, Boddington has killed way more than TWICE the combined bag of both O'Connor and Keith!!