Looking for some advice from people who actually own and shoot one of the Alaskan calibers in a lever action 1895 Marlin. If you could build one or the other which would you choose? Thinking about sending my 45-70 up to Wild West Guns for the conversion. I've heard of 2 or 3 other smiths doing these conversions. Anyone have advice on a competent smith who can perform this conversion? If so, do you know how much they would charge? Please help; I gotta have one of these ASAP cause you just never know when an Alaskan Brown bear will show up mad in southern AZ.
Just a note... Wild West Guns won't do the 450 Alaskan, instead they'd do their 457 WWG magnum instead, which comes close to the 450 Alaskan in power, with the 'advantage' of shooting 45-70 ammo as well. ~~~Suluuq
I've only messed with the 450.. and it's icnredible, and you have TONS of bullets to choose from.. btw, 405 remington, for the 45/70, are nothing but bombs at 2250
DRC is also building 86 and 71 winchesters converted to 50/110 and his wildcat 450/110.
The 50/110 is the parent case for the 348 winchester which the 450 and 50 AK are based.
The 450/110 which I am waiting on DRC to finish is basically a 450 AK on steroids as it is based on the 2.4 inch 50/110 case instead of the 2.2 inch 348 case. Case is improved with a sharper shoulder. DRC is getting 2400 with a 420 grain cast bullet.
Posts: 399 | Location: Cass County, Texas | Registered: 25 January 2002
I had a 450 Alaskan built on a new Browning 71. The gun would shoot 400 grainers all day at 2150+ and shuck empties out with ease. Only problem for me was, the lack of mounting a scope above the action. My tired old eyes need all the help they can get, and the 71, 86 make this very difficult to do. Other than that, I wish I hadn't sold it. Fun gun to shoot!
Roger QSL
Posts: 4428 | Location: Queen Creek , Az. | Registered: 04 July 2000
I have a 50 Alaskan Marlin built by Dave Clay. It is a top notch target gun and Dave did a fantastic job on it. I have been shooting 435-grain hardcast at around 1800 fps with this beast. It does not sound like much compared to other bolt rifle cartridges but it is a kicker, especially with a very light rifle. If I had to do it all over again, I would use a 1886 and build a 50-110 instead. Good luck!
Posts: 1002 | Location: Midwest USA | Registered: 01 September 2001
There is a new scope mount concept called scout mount. It is usually a mount forward on the barrel, not on the reciever. Leupold even got some immediate eye relief scopes just for this setup. This system should work very well with the 1886. Have fun!
Posts: 1002 | Location: Midwest USA | Registered: 01 September 2001
DEC, I have had a Marlin 50 alaskan made by Wild West and now I am getting very soon a 50-110 from MR. Dave Clay.The WWG was a good gun , but I must say, and this is my opinion there customer service was LACKING.I have only heard good things about MR. Clay, and I only call it like I see it,from my own experience he will take some time, a lot of time, but I hear the end result is great. If I were to give you my opinion on the matter give MR. Clay a call and look at the 50-110 or the 450-110.Thanks,Kev
Posts: 1002 | Location: ALASKA, USA | Registered: 22 May 2002
Does someone have a little more info on the 50/110 as in, how much cases cost, total case length (2.4"?) where is the best reading found on the cartridge? What psi does it operate at too. 2400 fps with a 420gr sounds great, what are you shooting in the 50/110 at what speed too? What is the actual dia, is it .510"?
Several years ago Wolfe Publishing put out a magazine entitled "Legacy of Lever Guns". It's an excellent magazine and has lots of information on the old cartridges of the of the 1800's and the newer rounds of the last century. You can go to Rifle Magazine's web sight and order it online for about $8.00 i beleive. Hope that will help you out. Roger
The Lousac library in Anchortown has a copy of Wolf publishings Big Bore Rifles and Loads, and there is an article on the 450 and 50 Alaskan. There was also an article on Harold Johnson in Handloader a few years back. I don't recall coming accross any other info on them.
Andy Hawk, who used to be Wild West's smith, and from what I've heard developed the co-pilot for them, is working out of his house, and I believe making lever gun conversions.
Starline produces 50 Alaskan brass, as I recall it is ~$200-250 for 200 cases.
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001
DEC, I have had a Marlin 50 alaskan made by Wild West and now I am getting very soon a 50-110 from MR. Dave Clay.
Hey Kev,
You STILL haven't gotten that .50-110? Shit, you've been telling folks about it forever, and all we ever hear is that 'you should be getting it soon'. What's it been? 8 months? A year?
George
Posts: 14623 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 22 May 2001
GEORGE S, around a year now and it is funny you mention this as I talk to MR. Clay today. And he asured me he would be sending it out this week,so I feel this time I will see it. Thanks,Kev
Posts: 1002 | Location: ALASKA, USA | Registered: 22 May 2002
It took Dave about 10 months to build my 50 Alaskan Marlin. Luckily I had a lot other toys to play with while this project was going on so I did not pay much attention to it until one day Dave called me and told me the gun is ready. Good luck!
Posts: 1002 | Location: Midwest USA | Registered: 01 September 2001
I would far prefer a 50-110 over the 50 AK and I would prefer a 50 AK over a 450 AK.
The .458 bullets are cheap, true, but so what? If I have budget problems I can practice with a 22LR. But for shooting big bear, I would prefer big medicine.
However, I would still prefer a bolt or a double, so I would not really choose any of the above.
Posts: 18352 | Location: Salt Lake City, Utah USA | Registered: 20 April 2002
