.338 Marlin Express vs .45-70 Gov. for bear defense and big game hunting within 250 yards.

[Old Stinky]

.338 Marlin Express vs .45-70 Gov. for bear defense and big game hunting within 250 yards.

[Treestand]

My Vote for 338 Marlin Exp.JMO~~ its a good all around Cartridge over the 45/70.

[007]

.45-70 assuming it's a Marlin lever action and properly handloaded or using that new flextip ammo.

[Ol Krusty]

45/70, because ammo should be more readily available, I could be wrong though.

[Sourdough Dave]

I've never fired the .338 Marlin Express. My .45-70 is formidable. When you get 3/4 oz. of lead moving 2,000 fps it will put some serious hurt on whatever is unfortunate to be in front of it. However, it has the trajectory of a rock. For each 50 yards of range I must raise the stock semi buckhorn sight up another click of elevation. 250 yards? Hmm?

[jhjimbo]

45/70 in a modern firearm designed for maximum power loads. Ammo manufactured or re-loaded to the higher performance standards.

[chuckles]

I love my 45/70. The .338 has better ballistics for longer range shooting but since you mention bear defense as well the 45/70 is probably a better choice.

[WA Mtnhunter]

Both are ballistic stones for anything out past 150 yards. However, anything hit with the .45-70 at practically any range is in the hurt locker.

[RJ Arena]

I love my .45-70 marlin, and with today's factory ammo available,both the copper alloy and hard cast lead are great large game stoppers.

[mike0714]

i have all ways said that my 1984 in .45-70 is my bear gun