12ga vs 45-70 for bears

6.5x55swm

6.5x55swm

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big argument at the camp this weekend lol. Which is better? i have a 12ga ithaca 37 not in the best of shape but it's a working firearm and i can hit the lid off a timmy's coffee cup at 75yds with rifled slugs. I have been told the 45-70 will do the same but it's $1500 rifle compared to my $300 pump. Bait sight is set up 60yds from the blind. This all started when a friend is getting set up for bear
 
At that distance, I'd say pick your poison. If I had to choose, I'd lean to the 45-70 because I have one and for the last 20 years I have run one load through it that works from mice to moose. A 405gr hard cast gas check from and RCBS mold in front of a healthy dose of Rel-7 running at around 1600fps. I have yet to recover a projectile as even lengthwise shots through moose always exit.
 
Depends on your aiming method. I would personally always choose the .45-70 and scope it (eyesight). But with a red dot sight mounted they would be equal at 60 yards. The .45-70 would gain a sizeable edge as the range increases. Lining up a shotgun Bead on a bear in low light can be very difficult.
 
I would always pick a rifle over a shotgun for hunting bears but it's not like your shotgun isn't going to work too. So would a 308, 6.5 CM or whatever else you may have.
 
Must be Monday!!!

I will choose 45-70 if given the option… reasoning is I will trust my life to the speed(loading,Shooting,Sight picture) and short range accuracy… I am a 45-70 fan but for good reason, I’ve used it and it works.

Now there is nothing wrong with a 12g pump with Slugs it works and it’s cheaper to shoot. A pump in a stress situation is not ideal… finally (flame suit on) I will never use buck shot or bird shot for bear defence or deterrent, yes you can kill a bear with a .22 but doesn’t mean I will stake my life on it.

My bush gun is a 1895 SBL 45-70 and I have a Ruger SBL on order. I live in the country and this is what I carry.
 
At that distance unless I was using a shotgun rifled barrel it would be the 45/70.
In fact, it would be the 45/70 anyway, in a falling block with a hefty slug and black powder!:dancingbanana:
Cat
 
I cast and load hard cast shotgun slugs, and 45-70 projectiles. Though, I would deem both to be effective within their individual operating ranges, I would choose the 45-70 to carry if I were in dangerous bear country.
 
45/70 would be my choice. It’ll do the job at 60 or 160. A slug in my shotgun with ghost ring sights is pie plate accurate out to 100-120. 45/70 was 4”-5” groups out to 200 with peep sights.
 
i guess i won the argument, he is buying a 12ga, it was hard enough to 45-70 ammo before the shortages, biggest reason was cost, we can get 12ga slugs anywhere, a scoped mossberg 500 for $500 with a old weaver k2.5 with post reticle for the win
 
6.5x55swm said:
i guess i won the argument, he is buying a 12ga, it was hard enough to 45-70 ammo before the shortages, biggest reason was cost, we can get 12ga slugs anywhere, a scoped mossberg 500 for $500 with a old weaver k2.5 with post reticle for the win
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For the money, inside 100y, 12ga is the answer. You NEED to be a reloader to shoot 45/70 imo. Not to mention the cost of a lever action these days!
 
canadaman30 said:
12 ga with solid rifled slug (Brenneke, Challenger)at 60yds make 3/4 inch drain holes.
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I have done this with wild boar once at about 70 yards.
Ithaca Deerslayer and Brenneke classic slug.
Needed about five inches more elevation, press trigger it fell over immediately. Didn't even get a death squeal.
Just on its back legs kicking air for about 15-20 seconds. Done.
 
freddyfour said:
When did a 45-70 rifle not be able to be had under $1500? Sweet Jesus! Are these Black bears we talking about and why is it only between a 12ga and a 45-70?
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because the argument was which was the best for bears inside 75 yds, $1500 looks like what there going for
 
I would pick the 45-70, but you would be better to pick a rifle capable of killing a bear and shooting into space, then you win the prize of having the rig that excels in both topics common on this forum.
 
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