I finally got to go shoot my 510 Kodiak Express lever action today. It is a highly modified Marlin 1895 by Mic Mcpherson. It has a 23 1/2" barrel, full length ammo tube, and a Robar NP3 finish on all metal parts. I used bullets from alaska bulletworks in 450 grains and 500 grain weights. I used IMR 3031 powder. I got 2300 ft/sec with the 450 grain bullets, and 2160 ft/sec with the 500 grain bullets. The gun cycled flawlessly and was very smooth. It kicks alot, but balances very well for me. I had no problems with the 100 yard targets and with 150 yard targets that I had set up. The gun took a long time to get, but for me it was worth the wait.

500 nitro power in a lever gun!!!!

How much does it cost?

I think some 50 alaskans might be tinkered with.

congrats!!!

Pics and vid clips please... i will post them if you need help

It is like my 458 version idea the 45-80 that you can still use 45-70 ammo and keep the barrel.

BD, I would love to see a picture. How do you like the NP3? I've got your gun's little brother (16.5" 50AK 1895) and have been debating NP3 vs chrome as some parts aren't stainless. I still have to get the sights sorted out then it's decision time.

Bob

I think the NP3 is on the expensive side. $600.00 for all metal interior and exterior metal parts.But I really like it. It is like a smooth satin stainless steel. It coats the action wi smooth silky feeling finish. It is like it is lubricated with something like a real fine powder. Very slick. I will try to post a picture in a couple of days.

bigdoggy, you must post pictures! Sounds great, but we wanna see it!

Boomstick, I will try and send you some pics later today for you to post. I think Mics price to convert one of these today is around 3200 or 3300 dollars depending on options, on your gun, including the robar finish. He made mine and an 181/2" bull barrel one for another guy at the same time. You would need to check his website for details and firm prices. Mic can be reached at 970-564-0500. I am not sure that anyone else does this exact conversion.

This is sheer beauty...
I love how it is not uberfancy and other than a fat barrel it looks like a regular marlin. Pure stomping machine!

How many 500 nitro power pills does the tube hold?

Mine holds 6 in the tube plus one in the chamber. The other 510 Mic made has an 18" bull barrel. It looks really short and wide compared to my 23" barrels. Boomie I sent a picture of both guns that Mic had taken side by side. Did it come through or was it to fuzzy after I scanned it? thanks for posting the picture for me. ken

quote:

Originally posted by bigdoggy700:
I finally got to go shoot my 510 Kodiak Express lever action today. It is a highly modified Marlin 1895 by Mic Mcpherson. It has a 23 1/2" barrel, full length ammo tube, and a Robar NP3 finish on all metal parts. I used bullets from alaska bulletworks in 450 grains and 500 grain weights. I used IMR 3031 powder. I got 2300 ft/sec with the 450 grain bullets, and 2160 ft/sec with the 500 grain bullets. The gun cycled flawlessly and was very smooth. It kicks alot, but balances very well for me. I had no problems with the 100 yard targets and with 150 yard targets that I had set up. The gun took a long time to get, but for me it was worth the wait.

bigdoggy, thats a good lookin rifle you got there. I like that finish, and I see it has one hell of a recoil pad.

Just how long did it take Mic Mcpherson to finish your rifle?

Do you have contact info for him?

Thanks

Maxbear,
Mic was going through 2 family health crisis one with his son and one with his wife, Peggy. He was making this and another 510 K.E. at the same time. It took 22 months to get mine. But I would say he could do it in 1/2 that time now, but that is a guess. His phone number is 970-564-0500. Also in that 22 months, 3 extra months was due to a lost part at the Robar company when applying the silver finish.

I would definitely not recommend McPherson to anyone. He has had a rifle of mine for over 3 years now. Everytime I contact him he has some new excuse why he can't finish the gun, all supposed to be family emergencies. The biggest mistake I made was agreeing to pay him in advance and he obviously doesn't care now that he has both my money and my gun. It is interesting that he was able to do these two guns before mine, still hasn't finished mine and got these over a year after he had mine and was paid to do the work!

MY 2 CENTS..If you dont want to wait years,just months,call Dave Clay in Texas..A Great lever smith and has done 2 for me and is the only smith who could make a Marlin into a 50/110 instead of the shorter 50 Alaskan...He is about to start on a Browning BAR for me and converting it to 50/110!!!He does Marlins,Winchester and Browning Lever guns to the Much bigger Hole!

Amen Ken! Glad you are happy and it is right for you now,just think if you had to send it back after that long wait!

quote:

Originally posted by bigdoggy700:
I finally got to go shoot my 510 Kodiak Express lever action today. It is a highly modified Marlin 1895 by Mic Mcpherson. It has a 23 1/2" barrel, full length ammo tube, and a Robar NP3 finish on all metal parts. I used bullets from alaska bulletworks in 450 grains and 500 grain weights. I used IMR 3031 powder. I got 2300 ft/sec with the 450 grain bullets, and 2160 ft/sec with the 500 grain bullets. The gun cycled flawlessly and was very smooth. It kicks alot, but balances very well for me. I had no problems with the 100 yard targets and with 150 yard targets that I had set up. The gun took a long time to get, but for me it was worth the wait.

I only got one...try sending it again bigdoggy700

338 guy,
Mic says he is still behind, but he is catching up with his work load. I also paid Mic up front. I do know that his son did have a major stroke, and his wife has been in the hospital more than she has been out this past year. All I can go off of is his work for me. His price has gone up like anyone elses the last few years, he is currently charging $5,000 plus your gun to do the work on a 510 Kodiak express. I have waited a long time on custom work before, only to have to send it back, to get it to work properly. I can vouch that Mics stuff functions flawlessy and is very accurate once you get it. Was it worth the wait? to me it was. Safari Kid, David Clay is also working on a project BAR gun for me also. Dave did close his web site because he was 7 years behind on work several years ago. He has since caught up and is now quoting 6 months to a yea wait.

Boomie, I resent you the 2nd picture that shows both 510's that Mic made, side by side.

I have the 18" 510 KE referenced here. The rifle is flawless. The action is like glass and the finish is as good as I have seen anywhere. I have shot different bullets of the same weight as bigdoggy 700 with an average of 2032 fps with the 500gr Woodleigh and 2204fps with the 435gr Cast Performance. My rifle was ordered a month after bigdoggy's and delivered at the same time. Balance is perfect with the bull barrel but the 500gr load is rough off of a bench. The rifle wants to twist out of you hands. Shooting off hand is no problem just a big push back. You damn sure do not want to lean back on anything when shooting it. Now it is time to kill something.

Tom, nice to see you back. Sorry to here about your dad.