Another Big Boy

[turner]

I saw an article in a recent gun magazine which mentioned the newish .450 Marlin as a candidate for a bolt gun conversion. The caliber is designed , of course, to add power to the old, but popular 45/70 for those who do not handload, or simply wish a more modern version of the oldie. Hornady's LE ammo has added a new twist to the big bore calibers normally associated with levers, but with the pointed bullets and excellent powders they are using, it also takes some of them out of the "short-range" only aspect and depending on the loading, into the medium range big game venue. I went online this morning looking for a bolt gun compatible with conversion to .450 Marlin. I immediately found a NIB Mod 77 in a SAUM for $425. I went to E.R. Shaw's site (having been very happy with previous products), called their very friendly representative and discussed this conversion. "No Problem" the bolt face of the SAUM works perfectly for the .450 and the cost of a CM barrel, fluted(weight savings) blued and installed into your action would be just under $450.(and that's about $100 extra for fluting included). So, in theory a brand new bolt rifle with a high quality barrel in .450 Marlin can be had for under $900. If that shocks you...just peek at Remington's site and at their MSRPs...lol. I find this to be a very interesting possibilty for someone wanting a very good and very unique CXP3 and CXP4 rifle at a pretty darn good price. You, of course have the option of having pointed .458 cal bullets previously only considered acceptable for the .458 WinMag working too. Along with a watered down version for deer hunting. The LE ammo, by the way is pretty reasonable wherever I've seen it...like $31 a box. With it's controlled expansion bullet, or the other 350FN loading by Hornady at about the same price ....it's a lot of gun. Thoughts.... comments??