I seem to have both guns at my house but I think they are pretty even, I just want to know if one of them are better the other one

That's easy for you to say.

Yes

I think both of these guns are really good, really easy to tell they are even but one is better at long range and one of them is better than the other one at short range.

Good job, you asked and answered your own question in the same sentence.

+1
Ingwe

Nothing like quiet, intelligent conversation, just flowing along like alittle brook. Only it knows where it is headed.

I don't see how one can compare the 45-70 to the 375 Ruger or the 375 H&H...IMO the 45-70 is the most over rated caliber in the world today and I have used it and the 45-90 a good deal on some big game...In a Lever gun, the 50-120 is king of the hill and the only lever gun I consider a real dangerous game caliber.

Just my personal opinnion, and I respect anyones choices as their own.

But my 22lr is pretty good too.

Well, this thread as a whole can not be taken serious.

The .375s and the .45-70 are classes apart in utility.

Where do "real" dangerous game calibers start. What is "real" dangerous game. What is a real dangerous game rifle. I was just now talking on the phone with a tanzania collegue. He is getting a .500NE double rifle. Of course he has a landy to cover distance, trackers, cooks, gun bearers, camp hands. He also knows when he gets into what-and leaves the car armed accordingly. The .375 H6H stays in the truck, as does the shotgun...
I do not want to sound, as if I am bashing Tanzania. I am not.
What I would like to draw attention too, is the fact, that a .45-70 in a short barreled Marlin gives the handiest, possible package speaking with an authoritive voice (Copper FN 400 gr. @ 1800 fps) for the all in one person guide, packer, camp cook shrink, mother hen, buddy...it is there when needed and gets it done if you do.

Rant over.

........Two different cartridges designed for two different applications. Cannot say that one is better than the other unless you define the purpose for their use. They are not comparable and cannot be compared to one another.

For short range use in heavier cover the 45-70 gets more of the the nod, though the 375 Ruger Hawkeye will still work for that just fine.

However, the 375 Ruger Hawkeye can do what the 45-70 cannot do! It`s a flatter long range shooter. Quoting Jeff Quinn,,,"With the right bullet, the .375 Ruger shoots as flat as a 270 Win, flatter than the `06, and hits much harder than both when it gets there."

Your use of either would depend on your hunting circumstances.

So what about the 450 Marlin? In relation to the 45/70 or 45/90... Not the 375 XX

.45/70 & .450 Marlin - Birds of a feather in modern rifles (Marlin 1895 load level)

Depending on circumstances and what kind of dangerous game you're playing, a .45 ACP might be preferred over either one.

True. I like your sig - line.

.....Six, a half dozen, or the other! Given the same hunting ranges using the same bullets, neither the 45-70 or the 450 Marlin will have a clear advantage over the other.

Rather than look at the cartridges, either of which can be tailored to be comparable at shorter distances to be equal, it makes as much sense to look at the differences and advantages that might be had in either rifle type. (The obvious advantage for the smaller bore cartridge comes as the distances stretch out.) There are times when an explosed hammer lever-gun is a better choice than a bolt gun is. Just ask the many bear guides who choose to use things like the Marlin Guide gun for special purposes like going into the creepy/crawlies. Overall however, the disadvantage of the slower cycling bolt gun is overcome, especially when one needs to deliver a solid blow farther away. The overall advantage, equipment-wise, always go to that which is both reliable and broader in potential.

They're both hammers...

Ones a framing hammer, the other a mini-sledge

The 45-70 loaded to modern pressures in a bolt gun is a DG caliber...the levergun is just a dangerous rifle to the shooter if used as a DGR...why would anyone in their right mind compare the two different calibers and two VERY DIFFERENT shooting platforms???

All in all these many forums are just plain dangerous to humans as a matter of course...

Care to elaborate?



Only if taken literally.

In order for me to respond to your post I would have to say the situation would depend. The 45-70 is a great lever gun round, but the 375 Ruger is really in a different arena. With that said you have two great guns.

Ray,

Would you please write some more about this. I've read several of your comments about the 45-70 and they always leave me wondering.

I've read many stories about how the new smokeless powder cartridges(30-40, 30-30, 30-06) killed game so much better than the old black powder cartridges. But when the 45-70 is loaded to the same velocities as the 30-30 and 30-40 with bullets of double the weight, I believe it is very different cartridge than when loaded at 1200-1400 fps.

I wonder, too, how much the problems you've seen may be due to poor bullet selection when better ones could have been chosen for the particular velocity, range, and game.

There are so many 45-70 load variations that I feel I'm lacking information whenever you mention your poor experiences with it.

Thanks,

Bruce