My wife hasn't killed me yet so I figured it is time to start another project. A huge departure from the last few. A Encore handgun in .450 Marlin.
I have been looking for a frame and used frames are going for 500.00+. I found a brand new 209x50 SS Encore complete gun for less than the frames are running.
The original plan was to do a .416 Taylor but the barrel is hard to come by at the moment. I am going with a SSK 15" with their scope mount. Some of you may ask why the .450 instead of a 45-70. I was involved in early development of .450 Pressure data with several bullets not including the original Hornady bullets. With most bullets the .450 held a distinct advantage vs. the hot rodded 45/70. I have in my possession some special bullets that are for use in single shots because of overall length. They open up a lot of powder capacity. Using these bullet and the correct powders the .450 will be capable of over 3000 ftlbs. from a 15" barrel. I also happen to have a Dillon set up to run them and tons of brass since I have more than one to feed. To be continued..........

Very interesting! Keep us updated.

Looks like you have some very good reasons to go with that chambering. Brass, Bullets, and Dies "in hand" is a good thing now days.
What glass do you plan on installing?
No mention of a Muzzle Brake so far. That would be the next thing on my build list.
It should be a Hammer on most anything that you could hunt in most of the World.

Bob R

Leupold glass, probably the FX-4. Probably going with the SSK brake. The barrel is in route.

Sort of together. Shot it once to check it out. All good. Now stock and optics.

Who are you going to have build your Forend? I have had Tony build most of mine. His Charcoal Laminated forend is not to bad with the Rubber factory grip. If you are going with the Grip and Forend as a set you have lots of options on color's.

I hope the SSK Brake's have improved a lot over the years. The one I had on a 375 JDJ was the drilled style. This was back in the early 1990's. I was not impressed with it, nor is the current owner of the barrel. I have Baffle Brakes on all of my centerfire barrels at this time.

Do you have a carbide sizing die for the 450? You talked about loading on your Dillon. I load 357 Maximum on my 550 Dillon, and it sure speeds up ammunition production.

Bob

Tony Gettel is doing the stocks. I have used his stuff before with great results. I was looking at charcoal as well. I think it would look good with the SS.
I haven't made a firm decision on the brake yet. I do have a carbide sizing die for the .450. This Dillon was actually set up for commercial production of .450 ammo.
I can just run it at a relaxed gate and still run 400-500 per hour. I have it set up to do a two step crimp.

Is this the SSK brake you had?

I had MGM make me a long throated 15 7/8" 45-70 fluted stainless bull barrel with their integrated tactical muzzle brake. The hot loads are just under 3,000 ft/lbs with the Barnes 300gn TTSX. It's a hoot to shoot and very manageable with +p loads, but at your rate, an hour of loading would be many years worth of shooting.
What types of bullets do you like for the 450? The Barnes are pretty $pendy for plinking and the Hornady 300gn interlok hollow points pattern rather than group for me.

NO, the one on my 375 was made as part of the barrel, and every hole was drilled.
It did make it louder.

That looks like a lot better design than the older drilled version.

Bob R

For most hunting the 300gr Nosler Partition. I have 4 45-70s and my son has one as well as my .450 rifle so I grabed several when I had a chance. These loads will also be right at 3000ftlbs. I also load the Barnes 300gr TSX. I have some special cast bullets that were actualy designed for the .450 chamber from 420grs to 560grs. If going after another buffalo or such llike those will be the choice. The saami .450 throat actually measures .458" in front of the case mouth where the saami 45-70 measures .450" in front of the case mouth. The early Ruger #1 45-70 was chambered like the .450 so that the 500gr Hornady solid and 510 gr soft point would chamber in on crimped in the crimp groove. Marlin chose to open up the 1895 chamber so the .400gr Hornady 350gr RN could be crimpled in the groove. When the .450 Marlin was born they standardized the .458" throat. In the single shot encore barrel this opens up all kinds of possibilities. One enterprizing mold cutter designed some bullet to take advanctage of this and opened up nearly 10grs of powder capacity which is why I did the .450. I bought the 420gr mold and he also sent me a ton of those bullets.

I remember seeing those drill barrels. I never could figure out how that would do anything.

I installed the brake. Shot one of the really hot 420 grain loads. Recoil was entertaining. This is going to be a fun gun.

I took my 460V S&W X-frame cylinder and sent it off TK Custom to be altered to take their stainless steel moon clips. I got the 45 ACP moon clip design because when using Starline brass the 45 ACP moon clip you can also use it for 460 Rowland, 45 Super and 45 Winchester magnum cartridges in my 460V revolver. I used a Cylinder and Slide extra long firing pin to make shooting 460 S&W magnum, 454 Casull, 45 Colt, 45 Schofield able to be shot without moon clips. My favorite SHTF revolver project gun.

The stocks are ordered. Lots of loads to test. All going to be fun. Here is the 560gr with a 44 magnum for comparison.

The stocks are ordered. He is 3 months behind. That isn't a problem. Not planning to use it this year anyway. I need to get the scope ordered.

Not a build by me. But a project nonetheless. Bought a Ruger GP100 22 LR revolver that holds 10 rounds in the cylinder. Sent it to Tyler Gun Works in Texas. Bobby Tyler and his gun smith employees performed an accuracy job and an action job on it. Also carry melt treated it. They beveled the front of the cylinder in a black powder fashion. I will give this to my youngest son so I had Tyler Gun Works hand engrave it tastefully.

My stocks are shipping today. This is going to be fun.

Looking forward to assembly updates!

My next project will be a S&W Governor and will be installing a XS Night Sight Big Dot front sight. Install Hogue recoil absorbing 500 S&W grips and add a Bowen Classic Arms stainless steel aftermarket lanyard ring on it. Replaces the screw that holds the Hogue grip on. I will braid boot leather lace onto the lanyard ring. Finally, will send it to Cylinder and Slide for a full disassemble check for all parts and function. Then have them install a Cylinder and Slide extra long firing pin and install a fixed trigger over travel stop. Full action job too.

It is all together.

Nice!

She is a beauty!!!!!

I recently emailed Hornady and they told me that they had discontinued making 450 Marlin cases. I've got a bolt rifle being built in 450 Marlin so that was a disconcerting. Fortunately Bertram are still making 450 Marlin brass.I would recommend laying in more then enough if you see any available.

Reflex264, is that SSKs "Hellcat" brake? Looking at ordering one for my new & yet to be received SSK 45-70 barrel. In your opinion is that brake a very good option? Is there something better for a hunting handgun?

Yes. It works very well. This gun is just going to kick though. It certainly softens the recoil.

Ordered mine for my 45-70 barrel tonight. Cant beat the price!
Thanks for the input!