45/70 Best close and personal stopping power

Outcast

Outcast

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I know there have been many discussions on range and hunting with the 45/70 round, but I am looking to get info on the best 45/70 round to stop a big bad animal from eating me. I have seen the discussions regarding 12 gauge slugs VS 45/70. I have both but I am looking at carrying my Marlin GG strictly for a bush protection gun and want the best ammo for up close defensive situations. The reason I went with the GG was to ensure some form of accuracy out to 50 yards and closer. Any suggestion on FACTORY 45/70 rounds witt the best stopping power for bear would be greatly appreciated. I am looking for the power house round we can actually get in Canada. I do not reload at this time. Thanks
 
Most serious 45/70 shooters have moved past factory ammo. If you really want stopping force find a friend with a press.

If you are stuck try different brands of factory into a frozen alder or something and see where you get the biggest hole out the back.

Your comments re 12 guage vs 45/70...years ago we were fooling around on the ice and one guy put a 12 guage slug into a chunk of ice on a pressure ridge, which made a hole you could put your fist into. I hit it with a home made 400 gr FN out of my marlin and it made a hole you could put your head into.
 
Other than Garret which I don't believe you can buy in Canada there really isn't any 45-70 factory rounds that I could recommend.

Myself I load from 300gr to 550gr bullets in my 45-70 Marlin 1895GS.

When I am in grizzly country it is hard to decide between my reloads of 350gr Swift A-Frame's @ 2000fps or hard cast with the widest meplat bullets that I can get my hands on which are either 525gr WLNGC's @ 1650fps or 550gr Jae-Bok Young's WLNGC Crater's @ 1600fps.
 
Of commonly available factory loads for your purpose I'd use the Remington 405 gr. SP. Not a hot load, but it will penetrate very well anyway. The 300gr. HP Win & Federal are deer loads in my opinion. The Hornady LeverEvolutoon may be OK, but I have no experience with them other than paper punching.
 
Does anyone know what the guide dropped a chargin' momma bear with in the famous Alaskan hunting movie by Cabelas? She rolled over her shoulders, got up and died within a few yards.
 
Outcast...get off you're duff and get you some reloadin' stuff, best way to capitalize on the heavy hitters via the 45/70. Chambers' 420 gr. LFN GC and 480gr. WFN GC at up to 2000fps. will make your hair stand on end and Garrets ammo look like gallery loads. Take Advils with you to the range though!
 
svt-40 said:
Does anyone know what the guide dropped a chargin' momma bear with in the famous Alaskan hunting movie by Cabelas? She rolled over her shoulders, got up and died within a few yards.
Click to expand...


.404 Jeffrey. At least in the vid I saw. I don't remember seeing one with a guide gun.
 
I think all factory loads sold in Canada, and probably the US as well, are designed to be used in the weak actioned Springfield Trapdoor, and that rules out all heavier loadings. Those old Springfields were sold by the NRA to their members for many years after WW2, for $5 each. Obviously, there are masses of them out there someplace.
However, don't take those loadings too lightly. My brother once shot a big elk with a 405 grain Winchester soft point in a trap door Springfield. The shot was on a 45 degree angle, starting just behind the shoulder. The bullet came out the other side and the elk quickly died.
I think the same medicine would also stop a grizzly, as well. Some Alaskan guides were using a 45-70 for defence many years before the 45-70 had any mass following, as it has now. I am quite sure they were using 405 grain jacketed soft points.
Sadly, I don't know if ammo with the 405, or heavier, bullets, are now available.
I still have a box of Winchester 405 grain jacketed ammo, that dates back at least to the 1930s, maybe even before that. If you are wondering, I wouldn't hesitate to use them yet, and if it was a life saving situation, I wouldn't feel like my days were about to end.
 
This may be useless to you now, but someday IF you can stumble onto it, Lyman produced a 545 grain gas check design, flat point mould for 45-70, do buy it.
This is the closest profile I have ever personally seen, that mimics the Garrett 'Hammerheads.'
I am sure if you purchase it someday, you would never regret it......
 
45-70

If you decide to get into reloading or have a friend reload you some Loads for your guide gun.?? I have a friend who makes 45-70 bullets many different styles and shapes with or without gaschecks from 405-700gr. He's off to florida for the winter but comes back apr.

keep it in mind

supermag
 
404 jeff is more than 3x times the energy of 45/70 factory load with 405 gr.
Just looking at Cabelas video I am not sure it would be enough, but again - what do I know? Just personal feeling about two cartridges of about same diameter.
 
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