Good buy?

What's you're goal on the gun? I shot one some time ago and it had fairly heavy recoil, about like a 12ga with slugs. It's also large game round and unless you've got moose, elephant or grizzly bear issues it's a touch of overkill. Not to mention it'd be spendy to shoot.

 

It doesn't have very good long range accuracy, it's just a heavy bullet and somewhat poor ballistic performance.

 

This isn't to say doing some cowboy action shooting with some light loads wouldn't be fun, it would, it'd be a blast. It makes a great saddle gun for horseback riding out west or bear hunting in Alaska. For punching holes in paper in NJ, I'd look elsewhere. shrug.

Great Gun, great round, EXPENSIVE AMMO to plink with.

Malsua,

My reason for wanting to procure one is actually for a possible trek through the Alaskan wilderness. Ive been giving it some thought and i feel i need to challenge myself. i realize that going during the spring or summer would require me to be armed due to bears (im staying out of national parks, bear mace just isn't enough in my book). that being said is the 45-70 a good round to bring for a trek like this?

Malsua,

My reason for wanting to procure one is actually for a possible trek through the Alaskan wilderness. Ive been giving it some thought and i feel i need to challenge myself. i realize that going during the spring or summer would require me to be armed due to bears (im staying out of national parks, bear mace just isn't enough in my book). that being said is the 45-70 a good round to bring for a trek like this?

 

I'd feel more comfortable with my .300 Winchester Magnum because I know how the rifle fires and I know I can get excellent, accurate, and powerful ammunition with it.

 

Although the 45-70 sounds cool might it be more prudent to go with something large that you are more familiar with, or that has a more modern round with good ballistics?

Malsua,

My reason for wanting to procure one is actually for a possible trek through the Alaskan wilderness. Ive been giving it some thought and i feel i need to challenge myself. i realize that going during the spring or summer would require me to be armed due to bears (im staying out of national parks, bear mace just isn't enough in my book). that being said is the 45-70 a good round to bring for a trek like this?

 

I'd feel more comfortable with my .300 Winchester Magnum because I know how the rifle fires and I know I can get excellent, accurate, and powerful ammunition with it.

 

Although the 45-70 sounds cool might it be more prudent to go with something large that you are more familiar with, or that has a more modern round with good ballistics?

 

I've never hunted bear but I know guys who have. The one piece of advice is you want big, heavy bullets to get through bones and you want LOTS of juice behind it. A 30.06 will kill a grizzly bear but it's a "relatively" light bullet and frankly, you want that thing to die quick. Instead of the 45-70 I'd look at the more modern .338 win mag and the H&H .375 in the 200-300gr bullet range. Those will give you some pretty good range and pack one hell of a whallop.

are these rounds available in something other than bolt action, i have a feeling if i do run into a 1,200lbs grizzly, i might not hit it with the first round (as i will probably be busy doing this :shock:) and i want a quick follow up shot

A 45 70 will do the job for bear. I am assuming you are more concerned with close proximity fire, not long range. Get a hard cast broad meplat bullet and it will take care of bears.

 

http://beartoothbullets.com/open_sight/archive_open_sight.htm/21

If you are seriously thinking of going, bring a side arm also. Not only that ..but... also,

something to take small game with proper ammo. Don't think you'll come across a bear as

soon as you leave the guide plane. A friend of mine tried that awhile back, didn't see any game at all except for ptarmigans. But brought the wrong ammo for his .22 survival rifle. Needless to say, his stay was very short. Also..make sure you set up a drop off..pick up time,

with the guides, and pick a place thats frequented, otherwise you'll be sitting at camp, waiting for the plane to come with no food....that's when the bears show up.....

I have a plain 1895 Marlin in 45-70 gov't (22" barrel), and usually shoot Hornady Leverevolutions with it. But, I did pick up two boxes of Buffalo Bore +P's just in case any bison take the place of the local deer in our yard.

 

Check 'em out, they're available from 300 gr to 500 gr.

 

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=637767

 

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=550797

bring a side arm also

 

Wonder what would be better, a 629 with a 5" barrel or a Glock 20 with 16 rnds. of Double Tap full-load 10mm's.

A wheel gun would be better. The frozen world does wonders on auto's

My niece lived on Kodiak Island for 2 years. Learned how to shoot a rifle and cook kodiak bear! Said it tastes pretty good. Her husband was stationed there by the USCG. She always says it was the best two years of her life, and the worst two years of her life. Women, go figure