I have read a lot of posts about guys saying the 12 gauge is better than the 45-70 because of the new fangled bullets for the 12.
Then I see pix of the same guys shooting elk, but they don't use their 12 gauge?
Why not...perhaps because hunting rifles and the bullets they shoot are better?
Or perhaps no confidence in a shotgun round at 500 yards?
I think this horse has pretty much expired 303 bit since you continue to beat it, I'll answer you. The three elk in the pics I posted were taken with a .300 Win Mag and a 7MM STW....not a 45/70. I have a 45/70 in the safe but didn't feel it was suited to any of those hunts so I selected a calibre that I felt was. As the .45/70 was not suitable, the 12 gauge likely wasn't either.
Second, and I've stated this countless times already but hopefully you'll listen this time, these 12 gauge rounds are new fangled meaning they weren't around when those hunts took place.
Third, I've also stated this many times and hopefully you'll listen this time, that the 12 gauge is for a niche market and likely only to be used by those forced to do so by regulation. I was not forced to hunt any of those elk by regulation with a shotgun.
Now can we let this poor dead horse lie or are you going to continue to beat it?
Just because the 12 gauge performs the same or better than a variety of cartridges doesn't mean it's the only gun to use and I've certainly never indicated that's it's any more than a niche 200 yard gun.........you get it? Could it kill an elk at under 200 yards...you bet. Will I be taking mine on my next elk hunt.....nope but the 45/70 will be staying home too.
Not sure where you got this misguided impression that I said the 12 gauge would outperform all centrefire but it damn sure won't....but then neither will the 45/70. No interest in being a one gun hunter either....I love the delemma that comes with diciding what gun to use before I go hunting. Some days it's the 7.....some it's the 45/70....some it's the muzzleloader and after all this talk, some will be the 12 gauge........I love having choices and knowing that they'll all do the job within their performance envelope and I love the unique challenges that each offers.
With that said, if I were selecting a rifle on performance alone......the .45/70, 12 gauge or muzzleloader are all in the same range and could all do the same job.