BigGameHoundsmen.com

LynxHunter,
Speer has a 45 Cal 425gr and 500gr semi jacketed Flatnose. That is what we load in my brothers 450 Marlin that is a show stoper but the Hornady FTX in the 350gr for the 450 marlin is a show stoper to. The FTX bullet has some of the most uniform expansion I hve ever seen, it open up to 1 1/2 times the diamiter of the bullet. But you can also load a Barnes Bannded Solid for your 450 I think they are 405gr bullets. I think the 450 Marlin is enough gun for any bear in the woods, I would even take it on a Cape Buffalo hunt. I hope that I gave you wht you wanted to know, good luck with your hunt.

Thanks, TRC. Was fearing the 400grs range bullets would penetrate to deep, but I'll try those I can get of those you mentioned. I've been using the 400grs Swift a-frame, but that will blow through both shoulders and the spine and then leave for the woods on a moose, so thats no option on bear in close quarters.

Hans

If you use the FTX bullet it should stay in a big to medium sized bear, now I'm not sayin it wont go through and through but not likely. That Swift A-Frame is a damn fine bullet, but it would be one I would use in my 308-300 or 338 not a 450, for just the fact you have said, it will go right through just about any animal. The bullets I talked about will get real good penitration and should stop in side the bear, the Barnes Solid is the only one I would watch and make sure there are no dgs on the other side, well all of them I would do that just in case ya no. Well have a good hunt, hope you do well.