Win bigbore 94 vs 45-70 for bears?

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little_airwolf

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I just asked in another post the value of my father n laws BB 94 was in new condition with 60 or so rounds through it.
He is looking at a 45-70 because of ammo prices and availibility fot the 94 isn't great. He last saw boxes $60 for 20 rounds. In Calgary he bought a box for $40 a few years back. He only uses the gun to scare off bears at his cabin, thus the low round count.
Anyway just wounder what your guys thoughts were on the two guns and for close range (50m) or less, what would be best.
Thank you for your help guys!
 
I suspect you are talking about the 375 Winchester? At 50 m both will make a big hole and if that hole is in the right place, whatever the hole is in will be dead. How much bear scaring off does he do that ammo cost is a concern? 45-70 ammo is definitely much more available and cheaper.
 
"...because of ammo prices..." Don't think .357 Win is loaded by anybody but Winchester and it just isn't popular. Doesn't do anything other cartridges won't. Hence the availability issue. $55.95 per 20 in Waterloo. .45-70 runs around $40. Either cartridge will do what grandpa is doing. A 12 guage shotgun with slugs will do exactly the same thing. Mind you, he's opening himself up for a hunting reg violation charge. A possibly an unsafe use of a firearm charge. I wouldn't worry him about it though.
 
Yes Win 375. He has old 250g and 200g bullets about 40 or so left and $60 for 20 is too much he says. The 45-70 is way less.
Does it have the same punch at 50 or less yds? I've read its a different speed.
He doesnt hunt with the gun, it's just incase he needs to drop a bear if it gets too close. Knock on wood he never has to find out!
 
A 4570 has more power than a 375 win, so no worries there.

Know anyone that reloads? Pretty easy to make as much ammo as he wants for a dollar a round or less.
 
If he never shoots and already owns the 375, why the desire to change...I'm confused. If he didn't already own a rifle then ya the 45-70 would be a no-brainer but he already has the 375 and it's more than adequate for his need.
 
He shoots about 3-6 rounds a year just to check the gun and sight in. This past month he has had to scare away three blacl bears so far. He only has a few boxes left. The gun works great, is in new condition, it's just the price of new bullets that scares him. We dont reload. He likes the 45-70 and the cost of ammo is less.

So he asked me to ask you guys what your thoughts were. Win 375 or 45-70 for bears?
Thanks
 
burnt_servo said:
if he is concerned about ammo costs and is just using it to scare bears off , why not try a 1892 based action in 44 mag , 45 colt or 454 casull ?
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Or a 12 gauge.

I don't really get his point but if he wants to buy a 45-70, he should. Will it be any more effective.......nope. Will it be cheaper...likely not if he is buying a new one but no excuse needed for a new rifle.
 
You know, unless its grizzly he's worried about, and if its mostly for scaring them off, you could always go 30-30 for alot cheaper, Im sure there's lots of folks who would trade +$ myself included.
 
He could always get a cheapo 12 gauge for scaring the bears off or you could either handload for his 375 Win or you could find someone local who could load a few up for him. I'd help you out if I was local and had dies.
 
Thanks! He would be trading the 94 for a new 45-70. Seems like he has the right gun for the job, just ammo is expensive. Sounds like the Win BB 94 is a collectors gun.
Would a 12g slug take a beat down at 50yds? I have my grand fathers 12g that I don't use.
 
little_airwolf said:
Thanks! He would be trading the 94 for a new 45-70. Seems like he has the right gun for the job, just ammo is expensive. Sounds like the Win BB 94 is a collectors gun.
Would a 12g slug take a beat down at 50yds? I have my grand fathers 12g that I don't use.
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If you hit them absolutely.....not all shotguns are accurate with slugs...only one way to find out.
 
I've taken black bear with slugs, and of course it kills them, as good as .45-70. A lot cheaper, more versatile (bear cracker / banger shells will be more effective than any gunshot for pure scare), and more readily available. Sheep's suggestion is a good one, all he needs is an 18" barrelled quality pump action.
 
amosfella said:
Read up on the new remlin lever action 45-70s... I read that one guy had one that looked good, till he took the stock off of it and found a cracked receiver...
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If you really read up on them, you'll see the quality issues are worked out. I'm the proud owner of two fine Remlin's
 
You sound like a concerned loving Grandson, buy your Grandfather a box of .375 for Christmas and one for his birthday, he will be tickled pink and he will have more ammo than he knows what to do with. Problem solved.
 
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