45-70 Conversion to .50 AK

[mhotz]

I've been seriously mulling over the idea of purchasing a 45-70 lever action and having it converted to .50 Alaskan. Seems like the only real choice comes down to a Marlin 1895 since I can't seem to find anyone who converts any of the alternatives (e.g. Henry, Pedersoli, Winchester, Chiappa, etc), even if I liked them over the Marlin. If that's the case I can live with it, especially if you look at some of the top-notch Marlin 1895 conversions from people like Gary Reader.

But what seems to be a up-coming snag is the new California no-lead ammo law that establishes a complete ban on the use of lead ammunition for any hunting purposes anywhere in the State by July 1, 2019. I don't reload anymore, and so buying .50 AK solid factory loads or solid non-factory reloads is my only option. And the pickings are already slim in .50 AK with only lead/cast bullets available. And now with the new law I wonder if there are ever going to be any .50 AK factory loads / non-factory reloads with solid .50 AK bullets for hunting in California.

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, but I didn't find any .50 AK solid bullets available, let along full cartirdges. Seems to be a small but decent variety of solid 45-70 bullets and catridges available right now in the marketplace, but nothing for .50 Ak solids.

I'm wondering if I go with the 1895 .50 AK whether I'll be forced to hunt only out-of-state because of the lead ammo ban.

What's is your take on the matter?

[Sheepdog1968]

If your purpose is to use this as a hunting rifle in CA, I'd leave it in 45-70 for the reasons you mentioned. It's not like you need the extra power. Can a 50 Alaskan still shoot 45-70s? I want to say yes but I'm not certain. If that is the case then you could convert it to 50 AK and just hunt with 45-70. Also check Wild West Guns. I think they do 50 AK conversions and they have excellent turn around time (typically less than a month) from their Las Vegas facility which is where they do all the conversions.

[toby]

I believe there is a clause about guns that do not have non lead available? or they may have scrapped that as well, Contact Doug Turnbull restorations on all information regarding the 50 AK, PS do yourself a huge favor and quit hunting here.

[deadcoyote]

Well, they sell remington solid copper 12 gauge slugs at my local Walmart and I picked up a rifled slug barrel with sights for $75 used. I know re nowhere near as classy or cool but its been alleged a 12 gauge slug has as much energy at the muzzle as a .45-70 does at 100 yards. I'm sure ballistics by the inch can help us confirm or deny that.

[VooDooV]

50 AK (wildcat cartridge) = .510.
45-70 = .458

What is your plan?, Marlin 1895 in 348 win and just change the barrel or Marlin 1895 in 45-70 and replace barrel, Grind the action a little and extrude the feed tube.

If you just want more hunting power then I suggest 458 WM, Which the Marlin 1895 comes in.

[FTC]

If you reload, Lehigh bullets offers the solids

[Wrangler John]

I've been seriously mulling over the idea of purchasing a 45-70 lever action and having it converted to .50 Alaskan. Seems like the only real choice comes down to a Marlin 1895 since I can't seem to find anyone who converts any of the alternatives (e.g. Henry, Pedersoli, Winchester, Chiappa, etc), even if I liked them over the Marlin. If that's the case I can live with it, especially if you look at some of the top-notch Marlin 1895 conversions from people like Gary Reader.

But what seems to be a up-coming snag is the new California no-lead ammo law that establishes a complete ban on the use of lead ammunition for any hunting purposes anywhere in the State by July 1, 2019. I don't reload anymore, and so buying .50 AK solid factory loads or solid non-factory reloads is my only option. And the pickings are already slim in .50 AK with only lead/cast bullets available. And now with the new law I wonder if there are ever going to be any .50 AK factory loads / non-factory reloads with solid .50 AK bullets for hunting in California.

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, but I didn't find any .50 AK solid bullets available, let along full cartirdges. Seems to be a small but decent variety of solid 45-70 bullets and catridges available right now in the marketplace, but nothing for .50 Ak solids.

I'm wondering if I go with the 1895 .50 AK whether I'll be forced to hunt only out-of-state because of the lead ammo ban.

What's is your take on the matter?

Barnes makes lead free .45-70 Govt. hunting loads in their VOR-TX rifle ammo line:

http://www.barnesbullets.com/ammunition/vor-tx-rifle/

If you scroll down on the page you will find a .45-70 Govt. load with their 300 grain TSX-FN bullet @ 1905 fps. Sufficient for anything you will want to hunt.

Buffalo Bore also offers lead free .45-70 Govt. +P loads using the 300 and 350 grain Barnes TSX bullets for the Marlin rifle, or stronger bolt and single shot rifles:

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=328

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=329

Cor-Bon's Cor-Bon DPX4570300 is also a lead free offering:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/15511

For those that handload, Barnes offers two TSX flat nose bullets for .45-70 Govt. lever action tube magazine rifles in 250 grain and 300 grain weights: http://www.barnesbullets.com/bullets/tsx/

For guys like me with a Siamese Mauser in .45-70 they offer four additional HP pointed .458" bullets in weights up to 500 grains.

Hornady also offers a .458" 250 grain Monoflex soft tipped pointed bullet that is all copper. This bullet works in tubular magazines:

http://www.hornady.com/store/45-Cal-.458-250-GR-MONOFLEX/

Hornady also offer it as loaded ammunition for those that don't handload:

http://www.hornady.com/store/45-70-Government-250-GR-MONOFLEX/

The Marlin Big Bore Lever Rifle has a 1:20" twist rate, which will handle the 200 grain TSX with a Stability Factor of 3.587 @ 1900 fps or very stable; the 300 grain TSX bullet produces a Stability Factor of 3.026 also very stable. It will also handle the Hornady Monoflex bullet.

The heavier pointed .458" bullets can also be loaded in a Marlin, with one in the chamber and one in the tube magazine. While the 450 grain TSX will be stable at 1500 fps, the 500 grain TSX at 1400 fps is marginally stable. There is also the problem of maintaining OAL of the cartridge so that it will function through the action. My Siamese Mauser uses a 1:18" twist specifically for 500 grain bullets.

So there are choices for lead free EXPANDING BULLET hunting ammo for the .45-70 (solids may be illegal in some areas), and the hand loader has more. My recommendation is if you purchase a new Marlin that you also begin to search out online vendors of the various loaded ammo and either order what's available or backorder your choice. I'd also begin to consider handloading. I purchased 1000 Starline cases a decade ago, a wise decision as it's out of stock now. Buy early and as much ammo or components as the budget allows.

[Henry Shooter]

I believe Wild West Guns, yes the TV show, their shop does the conversions. They have a shop in Las Vegas. Cost is around $3200. they do other conversions also.

http://www.wildwestguns.com/

[44fred]

I'm usually not interested in "why" someone wants to have something as impractical as what you are looking to do, Lord knows I do the same thing.
What has peaked my curiosity is hunting with the 50 in California. As much over kill as a hot 45/70 with a boat load of obsticals to overcome....cost for conversion or complete rifle, lack of ammo choices, cost of ammo etc.

[Cypriss32]

I believe Wild West Guns, yes the TV show, their shop does the conversions. They have a shop in Las Vegas. Cost is around $3200. they do other conversions also.

http://www.wildwestguns.com/

There complete take down copilot is 29xx.xx. So I dont think the conversion is 3200.00

I planned on doing one a few years ago. I sold my 45/70 and bought a 20" 375 Ruger. Much better rifle for my hunting. Ill be buying the new Ruger Guide gun too.