Originally Posted by Cascade
What are your thoughts and experiences with the 45/70 for bigger game, like elk, moose, bear, bigger bear at modest ranges ?

I've only killed deer with my 45/70, and of course it worked just fine. But... for bigger, heavier game, what's your choice and why?

Commercial ammo, or handloads, either way.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

Love the voice of experience, but also very interested in well-reasoned opinions.

Thanks! Guy



With a scoped Marlin such as yours, I'd go with my old load using a 525gr Beartooth Pile Driver bullet over enough RL-7 powder for 1744 fps, a real smashing load in many more ways than one, I took a chainsaw, axe and a big knife along with a tractor loader bucket with chains and shot a dead bull at every conceivable angle, the only bullets recovered were shot prone into the bulls hams, they were both found in the front chest cavity in what looked like a 55 gallon blood soup bucket, I was more than thankful I pulled that little experiment in 30 ish degree weather, I guesstimated the bull to weigh around 1700 lbs at the time of his death.

Trump Won!