Marlin 45-70 guide gun VS 12gauge defender

[Acesneights]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

In a genuine self-defence situation you'll get one shot at most...at close range. Either will work just fine if you hit the bear right. Neither will if you don't. Worry more about how you shoot than what you are shooting.

Agreed. It's not what you shoot it how you shoot.

[sheep nut]

I pack the 45/70 when I guide.

[REPO]

Originally Posted by KI-UTE

The 450 Marlin is kinda sad.
http://www.hornady.com/store/450-Marlin-350-gr-FP/e 450


How bout this... a 416 Remmington Magnum. It hit's twice as hard as the 45-70. That would be serious stopping power. Instead of just making the bear really really mad, you actually make it dead... and then that means that you are still alive standing there before the magnitude actually sets in.

http://www.hornady.com/store/416-REM-MAG-400-GR-DGS/

The Winchester .338
http://www.hornady.com/store/338-Win...Superformance/

Serious stopping power... the 416 Rigby
http://www.hornady.com/store/416-Rigby-400-gr-DGX/


Here's the 45-70, it's kinda sad
http://www.hornady.com/store/45-70-G...EVERevolution/

By comparison the stats can make the 45/70 or .450 look "sad" but don't think for a second that either of these calibers are weak by any means! And really, who wants to pack a huge gun like the .338 or the .416? I mean if you are hiking or heading to a fishing hole you want to be as light as possible. Thise are great guns, but fir packing keep it small.
If you plan to reload the 45/70 up to a hotter load, IMO you would be better served with a .450 personally I went with the 45/70 as I liked the stainless option as I hike to fishing holes and wanted to get away from rusting.

As for the reliability of the gun, mine is a pre remy, I have put several boxes of shells through it and it has never given me any sort of problem at all. Unlike the Winchester .450 I had for a short time that would jam one shell out of every 3 when cycling quickly. I loved the power of that little gun, but just wasn't reliable.

[vcmm]

Originally Posted by bdarling

Agreed. It's not what you shoot it how you shoot.

X 3 With the right bullet and good shooter the 45/70 will kill anything that walks

[riden]

Originally Posted by pseelk

A 30-30 lever gun is probably as effective as either one .Its light and cheaper to shoot and absolutley devastating at close range.

I'm with you. I wish I could gt a trapper at a fair price, but those days are gone.