Decision of the day 45-70 or 375 H&H?

ExportA

ExportA

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Let me here your thoughts. The use would be for bush and up to perhaps a distance of 200 yards. Moose and Elk hunting at close range. I want a one shot one kill so if you have any other suggestions let me know.
 
either one will do the job within your parameters listed. The 45-70 will require more practice/testing than the .375 just because of the fact the .375 is flatter shooting out to 200 yrds.

I'm a big-time 45-70 fan but if your not recoil sensitive (the 45-70 can be recoil managed almost down to nil and the big bullet will still do the job), I think the .375 is the optimum choice for your wants.
 
I will bet that the cost of 45 70 shells would be half or less of the 375 ,,the more you can shoot the better off you will be ,something to consider ,,Dutch
 
That's a "no brainer"...............375 H&H every time!!!
I have taken dozens of animals with the 375 H&H and right out to 350 mtrs..........the 45-70 is a joke compared to the "grand old girl", the True King of the medium bores !!! I know many will take umbrage with this statement, but these two calibers and cartridges are not in the same class at all and do not cover the same applications. Where the 375 H&H is good to exceptional for any hunting situation world wide, the 45-70 is a very limited niche cartridge..........
 
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I shoot both 375 H&H & 45-70 a lot actually I shoot my three 45-70's a lot more than my 375JDJ/375H&H/375RUM rifles/carbines.

Both the 375 H&H & 45-70 will do the job equally well when loaded with appropriate loads out to 200 yards the 375H&H only starts to perform better beyond 200 yards due to its higher velocity and higher BC bullets.

I look at the pro 375H&H comments as basically from those that really do not understand the versatility/accuracy of the 45-70.

For example I would not hesitate to shoot an elk/moose/bear out to 200 yards with this little lightweight 14" barreled T/C Contender carbine in 45-70 loaded with 350gr WFNGC's @ 1750fps.

TC_Contender_Super_14_45-70.jpeg


Mind you I wouldn't hesitate to shoot the same elk/moose/bear out to 200 yards with this slightly heavier 14" barreled T/C Contender carbine chambered in 375JDJ loaded with 235gr Claw bonded bullets @ 2150fps.

TC_Contender_14_inch_375JDJ.JPG


I recommend a Marlin 1895GS in 45-70 loaded with 350gr - 550gr loads.

Advantage of the 375 H&H is only if you do not reload it is far easier to find high performance loads for it over the 45-70.
 
I have had a few 375s and quite a number of 45-70s. I still have 2 modern 45-70s. I would choose a 375 hands down. I love playing with my 45-70s and they will kill anything in NA. They are limited in hunting conditions to about 200 yds. the 375 will double that. for me the 45 is a fun gun and the H&H is a hunter. (I do like cast out of the 375 for fun). JMHO
 
Are you guys missing what the OP's question was?

ExportA said:
Let me hear your thoughts. The use would be for bush and up to perhaps a distance of 200 yards. Moose and Elk hunting at close range. I want a one shot one kill so if you have any other suggestions let me know.
Click to expand...

As far as I am concerned any comments of hunting big game beyond 200 yards are irrelevant to the OP's question.
 
As much as I like bolts and levers a bolt rifle will suit more people for familiarity and ease of operation. That said, a guy who has spent a lifetime shooting short action bolt rifles may have difficulty getting used to the longer bolt travel of a magnum bolt action. But in the end if I were to choose which rifle I would take out in a scenario where I thought I might have to make a 200 yard shot on a game animal, I would choose the 375 hands down. If I knew I was going to be in thick cover and the ranges would be close then the shorter and handier 45-70 would probably get the nod, but with all things being equal (say, for example, I could get a really short barreled 375) I would still choose a bolt gun over the lever.
 
I have seven 45-70's and three 9.3's and a couple Whelen's so no need for a .375

But nothing is more true than the rifleman that owns and can shoot his .375 (H&H of course) well, needs to only own one gun!
 
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Terrain, hunting style?

If a heavier rifle makes no difference I will always take my .375 H&H.

If the terrain requires a lighter rifle then I'd leave the .375 H&H at home or in the truck.
 
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