I have several cartridge books but I am looking for your opinions and experience with wildcat cartridges for the lever actions.

I am interested in something based on the 45/70 case.

I am especially interested in something you have experience with.

Looking forward to learning something new.

Take a look at the 416 Barnes or the 475 GNR. I'd love to have both on a Marlin 1895 platform.

There's a guy out here that has one of the 475 GNR 1895 Marlins. Very nice looking round but then there are the big old boys like the 50-110 and 45-90 that are no slouches either. I've got two friends with 50-110 conversions - one on a converted Win M71 and the other on an early 1895 Marlin square-bolt receiver(28"oct bbl, full-tube magazine).
Good luck in your search...
JP

Do you fellas know if Reeder will do conversion work on someone's Marlin?

I love my 45/70's and I think the extra space provided by a 45/90 would be wonderful.

I also love a 50 caliber. I have an original Trapdoor Springfield in 50/70. There is just something about being able to hear a 500+ grain bullet in flight that is inspiring!

I have a Gary Reeder Buffalo Hunter in 475 GNR which is a 45/70 blown straight out. It is a VERY nice rifle. Beautiful work. I know he has recently come out with lever guns in the 450 GNR (powerwise on par with the 450 Alaskan and 458 win) and the 476 GNR as well as the 416. I bought mine from him, but he will do the work on your rifle as well.

Lance

I believe the .35 Greevy is about the best lever gun wildcat based on the .45-70 cartridge.

I was just thinking about this the other evening after reading an article about necking the 450 Marlin down to 40 caliber. It seems to me that necking the 45/70 down to 375 or 35 caliber would be great.

Does anyone know if 450 Marlin brass is any stronger than quality 45/70 brass from Starline? I have run many (probably 10) hot loads through my Starline brass with no ill effects or failures.

I think Gary Reeder's 375 gnr is based on the 45-70 case. don't think it is offered in a lever gun. His 416 is a 50 alaskan case necked to 416. I don't have a lever in this round, but I do have a handgun barrel chambered for the encore. Makes a really big noise.

I've always pondered the 45-70 necked down to .35 or .348 chambered in a Marlin GG.