{"id":172564,"date":"2023-03-06T13:18:02","date_gmt":"2023-03-06T18:18:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=172564"},"modified":"2025-11-06T05:16:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T11:16:56","slug":"hunt365-the-big-bore-levergun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/hunt365-the-big-bore-levergun\/","title":{"rendered":"The Big Bore Levergun in 50 Alaskan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Big bore leverguns have easily been popular for the last 75 years here in the USA. However, in the last 40 years it seems that popularity has risen exponentially.\u00a0 The 45-70 has gained so much popularity recently that one would think it is the end all and do all Big Bore caliber.\u00a0 Don\u2019t get me wrong it is a good round and one that certainly does it\u2019s tasks well. It\u2019s even been utilized and featured in a major motion picture.\u00a0 In the 70\u2019s and 80\u2019s, It suffered from having poor representation by major ammunition manufacturers when it was utilized in strong modern firearms.\u00a0 In order to reach its full potential you were forced to reload ammunition if you wanted top level performance. The two main rifles used to reach that performance were the Marlin 1895\/336 and the Ruger singleshots, the #1 and #3.\u00a0 The Winchester 1886<\/a> was also capable of handling more power as well due to its strong double lug lockup.\u00a0 It just\u00a0 seemed to be lost in the mix of suitable rifles, possibly because of collector value or just plain expense to purchase.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Marlin 1895 45\/70, 18\u201d barrel. A handy general purpose hunting rifle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As good as the 45-70 is in a Marlin lever action, and I have an early safetied gun that was originally a 22\u201d barreled gun. I\u2019d had it shortened to 18\u201d back before the Guide gun became available, Alex Hamilton of Ten Ring Precision performed the necessary surgery.  Even though it is a formidable gun and I probably don\u2019t really need something else.  In my opinion, a better suited option when truly Big Bore stuff needs to happen is the 50 Alaskan.  
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
In all outward appearances it looks like a normal 20\u201d barreled Marlin 30-30.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As an example I give you our current batch of large caliber handguns.  While the .45 caliber guns are great all around performers, it\u2019s the .47\u2019s, .50\u2019s and .51\u2019s that are called to duty when Big Bore stuff needs to happen, the same is true of the old African stopping rifles. There are a couple of .47\u2019s that are available from Turnbull, one based on use from the Winchester 1886\/71 size action and one from Marlin 1895\/336 size actions.  There is a least one .50 option from B&M gunsmithing.  The 50 Alaskan is actually a .51 caliber and is suitable in both Marlin and Winchester sized actions.  It was originally built on the Winchester 1886 and 71 action, but many of the newer built guns are being done on the Marlin action, mine included.  
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The difference is visually obvious, one is a good general purpose hunting rifle, the other a stopping specialist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the story goes Harold Johnson made his 50 Alaskan after receiving an old 50BMG barrel from someone and then fitting it to a Winchester 1886.  He had already been converting the Winchester 71\u2019s to his 450 Alaskan caliber, but the new barrel sparked a new idea, and the 50 Alaskan was born.  Harold \u201cBill\u201d Fuller provided the necessary reamers and made dies for the new caliber. Johnson also used cut down 50BMG projectiles, that would weight out to approximately 450gr. This homemade bullet worked well, apparently never recovering any from game he took, and never having any issues with them either. Supposedly, Johnson only built one .50 Alaskan, and apparently he didn’t even name it. Fred Huntington of RCBS coined it the “Alaskan” during one of their hunting excursions. The \u201cHarold\u2019s\u201d content to simply refer to it as the Fifty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
A simple line drawing, showing the specs of the \u201cHarold\u2019s\u201d creation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Some of the gunsmiths that are currently doing the conversion are Nonneman, Forkin, Wild West guns, McGowen and Turnbull.  My rifle was built by Nonneman, it was built on my very first deer rifle I ever owned.  A Marlin 336RC, that was originally chambered for 32 Win. Spec., I knew I would never hunt with the rifle again in its original chambering but also knew I would never get rid of it.  So using it as the basis for my Alaskan makes it that much more special to me.  Overall length is 38\u201d, weight is 6.9 pounds, making it a light easily carried and manipulated rifle. The original stocks were in good enough shape to keep, although the forearm was thinned down from the thicker shape it had previously.  I went with a 20\u201d barrel and full length magazine tube underneath, so it looks like a normal Marlin lever action, until you peer down the muzzle. The front sight is a green Williams fiber optic so even in dimly lit or low light conditions the front sight is easy to find. The rifle is an older waffle top that is still undrilled and tapped, so the rifle wears a Williams receiver sight with a modification of my own making.  
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Originally the rifle wore this Williams receiver sight as it primary rear sight, now it functions as back up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I purchased an extra Williams L-shaped arm from EBay and then mounted a small reflex sight base to the stripped arm.  Once screwed down and Loctited into position the reflex base is solid and allows a Burris FastFire reflex sight to be utilized as a primary or back up sight system.  I have contacted a manufacturer about making this reflex sight set up a production item and was told they actually have something very similar in the works.  Turnbull Restorations has a similar product but it is fixed and not adjustable or interchangeable. Those of us that suffer from aging eyes and cannot clearly see iron sights any longer, this set up is very nice.  The red dot<\/a> also provides accuracy well beyond the capabilities of the gun and caliber.  It\u2019s fast, accurate, and almost as small as the actual receiver sight.  The receiver sight\/reflex sight set up allows for guns that are not D&T\u2019d for scope use to utilize an optic, I\u2019m quite happy with the performance provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
My Marlin with modified Williams receiver sight made to accept a Burris FastFire reflex sight, functioning as primary sight system.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The same bullets that are available for the 500 Linebaugh revolver rounds are suitable for the Alaskan.  I\u2019ve used 350gr. WFN bullets for game here in Texas, the big wide flat nose provides a lot of slap when it hits game.  The bullet is almost a full wadcutter style , with the meplat being .425\u201d. I\u2019ve also used 465gr. LFN bullets when backing up hunters that we\u2019re chasing much larger game, and my opportunity at them would likely require a lot of penetration.  My favorite hunting bullet for everything and every purpose is the Swift 450gr. A Frame. If I were going to Africa, Alaska or anywhere with large heavy boned and potentially dangerous game and using the gun for hunting this is the projectile I\u2019d use. I\u2019ll be booking a Carolina black bear hunt soon and my Alaskan will be making the trip and loaded with Swift A Frames.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Suitable projectiles for the 50 Alaskan, L to R, 300gr. Barnes meant for the 50-110 Win., 350gr. WFN Montana Bullet Works, 400gr. Hawk RNSP, 440gr. Woodleigh RNSP meant for the 500BPE, 450gr. Hawk JHP meant for 500 Linebaugh, 450gr. Swift AF, 465gr. LFN MBW, and lastly, 475gr. LFN from Beartooth bullets.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The terminal performance provided by the big bullets is a thing that must be seen firsthand to appreciate.  On medium game like deer, choosing a proper bullet for the lighter mass and frame of the animal is very important.  On game that is bigger and tougher like feral hogs, elk, bear, buffalo, etc. the right combination of penetration, punch, and expansion is extremely decisive.  The velocity doesn\u2019t need to be fast, because you\u2019re moving such a large combination of diameter, mass and stout construction. Complete penetration is almost a given, especially for game in North America.  Remember the originator never recovered a single bullet from any of his Alaskan kills. My loads for all my uses are as follows\u2026\u2026\u2026 All assembled on Starline brass, All using 57gr. of Reloder 7, 350gr. WFN, 450gr. Swift AF, and 465gr. LFN. As you can see I have kept everything simple, merely changing the bullet and keeping the powder charge the same. The powder charge is based on a less than maximum charge for use with 465gr. bullet, making it safe for everything of less weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
This simple 3\/4\u201d thick closed cell pad in addition to the normal recoil pad, is all that is required to soften the blow while shooting the rifle from a shooting bench. It pads and spreads the energy coming back to the shoulder, sufficiently enough to require no further measures.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The thing that enticed me was that the 50 Alaskan accomplished all its work with relatively low pressures (35k CUP and less) thus allowing use in guns like the Marlin.\u00a0 The 450 Alaskan operates at much higher pressures and developed a reputation as being a very brutal recoiling rifle, not so with my Marlin 50 Alaskan.\u00a0 It wears a nice KickEez recoil pad, and recoil is strong but not brutal, the felt recoil of my 1886 in 45-90 feels much harder and it weighs more wearing a 26\u201d octagon barrel, it also has a 1\u201d thick KickEez pad.\u00a0 The two rifles<\/a> push similar weigh bullets at similar velocities, yet the lighter 50 Alaskan is much more pleasant to shoot. Neither is a round you want to spend all day shooting from a bench, or without some gear to help with recoil. When checking sights from the bench, I\u2019ll use extra padding between my shoulder and the gun. I also shoot from a supported standing position. I do not even notice recoil when hunting and wearing normal winter clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Left to Right, My favored Large and Heavy game load, 450 Swift A-Frame, My Texas load 350gr. WFN from Montana Bullet Works, A 450gr. Hawk JHP, My 465gr. LFN from MBW that gets used on Large and Heavy game.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of velocity, I use moderately stout loads, nothing maximum but let\u2019s call it 85-90% of max.  My 465gr. bullets are going 1850fps, although maximum loads will push them at almost 2000fps, my 350gr. bullets are actually not much faster at 1900fps, but 2200fps is possible.  The 450gr. A Frame, gets pushed at 1800fps, but again close to 2000fps is attainable with judicious loading and a 22\u201d or 23\u201d barrel. My powder choice is Reloder 7, however, anything suitable for the 45-70 is worth trying, H4198, H322, or IMR4198. The previously mentioned bullet used by Johnson made from cutting 50 BMG bullets, was done mainly out of necessity.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Making the Johnson bullet, The unaltered 50BMG projectile on the right, and the cut, inverted 450gr. FP on the left. (photo courtesy of Lee Martin)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Good quality bullets, much less jacketed ones were scarce to nonexistent in those days. He would cut and then seat them base forward, doing so he created a 450 grain jacketed FP. In a 1988 interview he spoke of their crushing power on dozens of black bear and Kodiaks.  He used 52.0 grains of IMR 4198 his homemade bullet clocked 1800fps and shot accurately.   Today there is no need for such measures, manufacturers provide jacketed bullets as well as good quality cast bullets. Some monometal bullet makers produce some very impressive all brass and all copper projectiles, both expanding or fragmenting and solids.  Cutting Edge bullets has an impressive line up of projectiles suitable for lever action mag tube use.  Using their solids turns the 50 Alaskan into an impressive dangerous game gun suitable for the Big 6 of Africa<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The foil patch is about 2\u201d square, the three shots measure just under 1.1\u201d Center to center and was fired from 75 yards, using the Burris FastFire. The 350gr.WFN bullet lands at the top of the dot where they should.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The trajectory of a 450gr. bullet at 1850fps when using a 150yd. zero, places a high point of 3\u201d at about 100 yards.  The drop at 200 yards is less than 8\u201d, making a hold at just below the top of the back suitable for any big game.  Although the Fifty was made for closer ranges, this trajectory is entirely suitable for general purpose hunting. If you\u2019re hunting alder thickets, swamps, timber, or thick white brush in search of big game or game that can bite back the choice is an easy one. The 50 Alaskan is ready for the opportunity, if you\u2019re a guide that needs light, fast, and handy.  You need look no further than the 50 Alaskan, it\u2019s been doing the job since the 1950\u2019s and will keep on working in the hands of those that know it\u2019s true potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
Representing a bull elk at 200 yards, placing your 4moa dot just below the top of the back drops the 450gr. bullet right at the yellow line. (photo courtesy of Dean Culver)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The 45-70 may be the popular big bore lever action to the masses, but the 50 Alaskan is the pinnacle when it comes to leverguns and rough, tough, Big Bore stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A special thanks to Lee Martin for his historical info on the \u201cHarold\u2019s\u201d and the Fifty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.swiftbullets.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

cuttingedgebullets.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

hawkbullets.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

montanabulletworks.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

burrisoptics.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

williamsgunsight.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

marlinfirearms.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

barnesbullets.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turnbullrestoration.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In my opinion, a better suited option when truly Big Bore stuff needs to happen is the 50 Alaskan. \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":126,"featured_media":176439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_specdata_upc":"","_specdata_placement":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1220,1258,7,1222,4321,1217,1223,992,3385],"tags":[1265,430,1298],"featured":[4079],"hunt365":[4089],"class_list":{"0":"post-172564","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-huntgear","8":"category-ammo","9":"category-gunsamerica-authors","10":"category-firearms","11":"category-guns","12":"category-hunt365","13":"category-rifles","14":"category-specialty-publications","15":"category-trapr-swonson","16":"tag-hunt365top3","17":"tag-lever-action","18":"tag-marlin","19":"featured-row1","20":"hunt365-hunting"},"yoast_head":"\nThe Big Bore Levergun in 50 Alaskan<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Big Bore Levergun in 50 Alaskan - 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I\u2019d be called a traditionalist. I like and appreciate the latest tech, but really enjoy doing things the old ways. Experience\\\/Qualifications -USAF small arms instructor and competitor since the mid 1980\u2019s and continue providing small arms training to this day. -Started competing in archery and held state records, as well as part of the Texas state \u201cAll Recurve\u201d 3D team. Progressed to practical shooting competitions with handgun, rifle, and shotgun, and in early long range competitions. -Have represented the USA several times in international practical shooting. -Developed the best functioning and most reliable shortened stroke or \u201cstroke timing system\u201d modification for 3 gun-type Benelli Nova\\\/SuperNova shotguns. -Have hunted from Texas north to Montana and east to Minnesota plus some international hunts. -Currently retired after 27+ years as a firefighter, medical first responder. -Started a company that specializes in \u201cdestructive animal abatement\u201d, focusing on Canine, Feline, and Swine. 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I\u2019d be called a traditionalist. I like and appreciate the latest tech, but really enjoy doing things the old ways. Experience\/Qualifications -USAF small arms instructor and competitor since the mid 1980\u2019s and continue providing small arms training to this day. -Started competing in archery and held state records, as well as part of the Texas state \u201cAll Recurve\u201d 3D team. Progressed to practical shooting competitions with handgun, rifle, and shotgun, and in early long range competitions. -Have represented the USA several times in international practical shooting. -Developed the best functioning and most reliable shortened stroke or \u201cstroke timing system\u201d modification for 3 gun-type Benelli Nova\/SuperNova shotguns. -Have hunted from Texas north to Montana and east to Minnesota plus some international hunts. -Currently retired after 27+ years as a firefighter, medical first responder. -Started a company that specializes in \u201cdestructive animal abatement\u201d, focusing on Canine, Feline, and Swine. 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