I don't think it is suprising at all.

Take a step further down and it can be seen where this development hails from. Heavy sixgun shooters know that they are up against it with the possible speed limitations set by their handguns and bullet design is critical. Wide meplats make a very significant difference in terminal effect of short-range rounds. Relatively small changes in tip design make substantial differences in terminal effect.

Elmer sort of started the ball rolling with his original Keith design for the .44 sixguns and the concept has been refined since, with handgun lessons maybe 20 years ago transfered to the .45-70 and then .450 Marlin rounds.

As I {we} have said in the past, the .45-70/.450 Marlin cartridges are not .458 Lotts, but they do possess far more short-range performance potential than .30-06-class rounds on game of any size.

The performance of my Lee 402 grain Hollow Point load jogging at 1640 fps from my .45-70 Marlin has to be seen to be believed. It is not a "big flat meplat"-type bullet, but approaches the challenge from a different angle; Heavy Hollow Point. When most read "Hollow Point" they think fast, explosive disintegration. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In extensive testing and game shooting of deer, bear and range cattle I am absolutely prepared to state that this bullet/load combination is the full equal at short range of the .375 H&H Magnum {with soft-point bullets of whatever type} against which I have tested it time and time again.

It must be understood that proper bullet design combined with the short range at which maximum velocity is held are the keys to the type of performance touted by many experienced .45-70/.450 Marlin shooters. I believe it is a true statement to say that many who have experience with the NE rounds but not with the .45-70/.450 Marlin do not understand the level of killing performance capable by the .45-70/.450 class rounds. Also true is that there are alot of internet junkies who think the .45-70 is the equal to the .450 class NE rounds which it is not.

Regardless, EXPERIENCED shooters of these rounds know their capabilities.

The Marlin is a very well-balanced, fast handling rifle and loads can be assembled that both keep recoil to very manageable levels AND provide terminal effect far beyond that of the .30-06 class rounds.

Reflex, what did you do to slick up the feeding of your rifle? Mine works just fine, but I am curious...