Congrats on your Marlin 45-70. I am on my 3rd and final one since 1990. They are very popular in Alaska for bear protection and I believe far more Alaskan's use them for that then hunting. Mine if fed 405 grain Kodiak Super Bonded bullets, but if I did not live in Alaska I would probably be using Hornady FN 350 grain bullets.. Have fun with that rifle Pard and God Bless America !