45/70 or 308 for moose and black bear?

Without question I would be going for a good 308. I wouldn't recommend the Mossberg MVP scout , I had the patrol (same diff realy) and it kicked like a mule given the stock - even though it was a fairly heavy rifle.
 
I own both calibers. The 45-70 has close to twice the recoil of the .308. I would not recommend it for a woman who might be recoil shy. As to a good gun with open sights in .308, how about a Browning BLR LW. The sights are excellent and the quality of the rifle is top notch.
 
30-30 or 35 rem marlins will do. 44 Mag is a dream to shoot and will have no issue taking moose, bear or deer. I was not at all convinced on pistol cartridges until I bought an 1894 Marlin in 44Mag. My go to rifle now!!
However, if it has to be between the 308 and 45-70 and recoil is a concern, 308 all the way.
 
I hunt with .308 as well as .45-70. I've never really understood the fear of the .45-70. I'm sure you can handload some thumpers, but as far as factory ammo goes, I dont find it to have that bad of a kick. I've let several new shooters try it and they felt the same.
My 16yr old daughter would rather shoot 325gr Hornady out of the 1895 than slugs out of the her single 20ga.

All that said I would recommend the .308 for your wife.
 
There are a lot of 308 rifles out there better than the Mossberg. If your considering the Marlin, get a JM stamped rifle. Quality is still hit and miss with the Remington/Marlins. Avoid the Hornady lever revolution, the cases are 1/10" shorter and they jam. The 45/70 cries out .....reload me...I like cast mouse fart loads.

If your wanting versatility and dont load, stick to 308.
 
Gargoyle said:
Thats what I was afraid of, her long gun experience is 20G SST slugs, .270win and 303brit and I imagine the 45/70 having more than any of those. The 20G SST slugs do have a good kick though. Any idea how they compare in felt recoil.
Click to expand...

If she can handle those guns,she can easily handle a Marlin 1895 .45/70. That leaves the range factor. Close in brush hunting big Blackies needs the Marlin for quick shooting knock down when there's a "surprise". Longer range for spot and stock across ridges and valleys need a .308 or .30-06Sprg.
 
Thanks for all the input, but as for the recommendations of not buying a Mossberg, I've owned many rugers, Remington, savages etc. which most of which have had issues and I've sold off. I own over a dozen Mossberg's which I have never had issues with from 12g, .17hmr, .22, 20g, .270 etc and I've never had an issue with accuracy, fit finish or reliability. Either way she is the proud owner of a Mossy MVP scout in .308 with a vortex 2-7x scout scope now.
 
sean.cgv95 said:
I shot a 450 grain Factory Remington 45/70 load and The Recoil difference between that and my 308 was marginal but the recoil pad on the 45 70 was much larger
Click to expand...

That's because factory 45-70 ammo, as a rule, is anaemic as hell. Serious practitioners either handloaded or shoot heavy specialty ammo.
 
Gargoyle said:
Asking this for my wife. She is looking at picking a rifle up this weekend for this falls hunt.

Criteria -

- obviously enough knock down at 150 yards
- has to have open sights with the option to mount a scout scope
- has to come in under $1000 for the rifle (optics is another topic)

We are looking at either a Mossberg MVP scout (308) or a Marlin 1895 (45/70) currently but very open to suggestions.

And yes I'm aware we would have to ad the cost of the XS sight scout mount to the Marlin.

I've shot many 308 rifles but I've never shot a 45/70, how much difference in recoil is there? I don't want this to be a rifle she isn't comfortable with and unfortunately where we are the option to go shoot a bunch of rifles just isn't there.
Click to expand...

Do you Reload?
If not the 308 would be the choice in my way of thinking.
If you do, the 308 would be my choice as well, components would be easier and more cost effective.

David
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom