Has anyone converted a Marlin 1895GS from .45/70 to .450 Alaskan? I was talking to a local smith about making a .50 Alaskan out of one when he suggested I try a .450 instead. That would eliminate the cost of a new barrel, instead only requiring a chamber reamer and some action mods. He'd never done it, but thought it should work. Is the magazine tube large enough in diameter, or would I need a new one? Any info/experiences would be appreciated. Jim......

try wild west guns they specialize in them.jason
http://www.wildwestguns.com/

In a phone call to WWG a few years ago, they told me they don't do the 450 Alaskan, but that may have changed since, but I doubt it. They told me they'd prefer to re-chamber to their own wildcat, the 457 WWG Magnum. This way 45-70 ammo can be shot in their chamber, in the same manner as a 38 Special can be shot in a 357 Mag chamber. The 457 is supposed to replicate the 450 Alaskan power.
~~~Suluuq

The marlin action requires some serious modifications to get a .450AK to work due to its length (2.79" OAL). The .50AK uses the same case (.348) but is a bit shorter (2.50" OAL).
The .457 WWG mag is between 200-300 fps short of a .450AK with 400 gr bullets.
I have a .450AK on a Browning 71.

After doing some more research, I've come to the conclusion that I'm better off either staying w/ the .45/70 or going all the way to .50AK. I've had an opportunity to shoot a .50 made on a Browning 71. I liked it, although I would rather have it in SS, hence the use of the Marlin 1895GS as the donor. It's really a toss up, though, because the extra mods needed to make the Marlin work offset the cost of a Browning 71 if you can find one. In terms of practicality, I'm probably better off to go w/ a stock .45/70 and some good handloads or premium stuff like Buffalo Bore. Jim......