http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/article.cfm?magid=30&tocid=416

makes me want a 458-348 a.i.

boomstcik, thanks for the heads up , interesting article, however every time I think about modifying my 45-70 1895 I just can't find enough reason to mess with an already great gub / cartridge combo.

KW,

I tend to agree. I feel that if you want more power than that offered in a Marlin 45-70 I think a good option would be to buy a modern 1886 in 45-70, rather than consider wildcats on either rifle.

With the 1886 you get an OAL of up to 2.88" vs. 2.57" (in an unaltered Marlin). You need to throat the 1886 accordingly, but this is a relatively cheap fix.

Select cast bullet designs to allow either 2.55" or up to 2.88" and you have much more flexibility. This also feeds properly, is a much cheaper option than 45/90 or 450 Alaskan, cheap brass, dies etc etc.

This way you can still use conventional length 45-70 loads or load out to 2.88" for extra horsepower when / if required.

Joe

You can buy a Browning BLR in one of the belted magnums and rebarrel it to .458 Win. Mag. makes it into a super 45-90. If you Want to shoot cast bullets though, stay away from the standard 1 in 14" twist and go with something a bit slower, maybe 1 in 20". Those BLRs are damnably accurate for a levergun.
Paul B.