.45-70 lever action as bear defence?

[wildmanoutdoors]

IMO bears and other dangerous game don't have that thought process or "realizing" thoughts. Once there mind is made up to charge and eat you you have to stop them before they reach you. When a human gets shot they know form tv, news ect they are wounded and go into a different mode. Animals do not.

I agree and disagree,  it depends on the nature of the attack.  Sometimes it is kill or be killed but predators of all species have also given up and turned tail after their prey delivers an unexpected butt whuppin.

I agree too. I think it defenatily depends on the situation. If a battle insures, I think they may turn. But one quick hit may not deter at all. If your gonna shoot. Your shooting to stop it before it reaches that battle point. Cause we don't wanna go there with dangerous game. Too many stories about wounded big game getting more po'd.

[wildmanoutdoors]

After all. A bear can charge full speed for 300 yards or so after it's heart stops!

[mountainman]

I turned one charge at less then 10 feet. 30/30 from the hip, bear turned, yet lived for maybe 15 minutes after. I would rather do battle with a round in the bear then without!!

[kodiak 907]

45-70 with at least 405 grain.

[Jonathan_S]

After all. A bear can charge full speed for 300 yards or so after it's heart stops!

I'm no biologist but this sounds a little extreme     I know animals are able to keep moving at an incredible speed and length of time after the heart stops but I don't know about a 300 yard charge.

45-70 with at least 405 grain.

  if that would have been the first and only post, I believe the OP would have all the info they need.  I get that a 12 gauge "all gassed up" is appealing but I don't think most of those people are considering the incredible denseness of a grizzly's hide and fat.  .45/70s have killed a lot of bear for well over 100 years. 

The idea that a .45/70s or .450 Marlins or .444s are good for bear hunting but not bear defense is ludicrous.  Should I hunt with my .45/70 but carry a shotgun in case they charge 

[mountainman]

After all. A bear can charge full speed for 300 yards or so after it's heart stops!

I'm no biologist but this sounds a little extreme     I know animals are able to keep moving at an incredible speed and length of time after the heart stops but I don't know about a 300 yard charge.

45-70 with at least 405 grain.

  if that would have been the first and only post, I believe the OP would have all the info they need.  I get that a 12 gauge "all gassed up" is appealing but I don't think most of those people are considering the incredible denseness of a grizzly's hide and fat.  .45/70s have killed a lot of bear for well over 100 years. 

The idea that a .45/70s or .450 Marlins or .444s are good for bear hunting but not bear defense is ludicrous.  Should I hunt with my .45/70 but carry a shotgun in case they charge 

well said!! Some peoples only experience is from "reading" about works best, as opposed to actually having first hand experience. I have used both, and the bigbore rifle wins hand down every time!

[salmonchaser]

Holy smokes, 
Some good information and a lot that's going to get you in trouble. The state of Alaska has a report on the subject. In order of documented success.

1 bear spray
2 hand guns
3 long guns, statistically even between rifles and shotguns.
I had my first close encounter at age six in Denali, I've bumped into quite a few every summer since.
I guide every summer out in Bristol bay and have been way to close on a couple of occasions, I've had to spray two but never had to shoot one.
I always travel armed with both a fire arm and spray.
The 45/70 works, so does anything more potent than a 44 mag.The reason hand guns have been more effective than long guns is quite simple, slung on your back or set on a log while fishing the rifle is not handy when needed.
I have my long guns on tactical slings so they are instantly ready.
Also generally speaking if you are not looking at a head on shot from very close range,you will have trouble justifying a shooting.

[HighlandLofts]

Either a 25 acp or 380 auto for me.

[johnny b]

Either a 25 acp or 380 auto for me.
[/quote   What happens if your hunting partner is also carrying a 25 acp or 380 auto?  If he goes 1 to the knee like you plan it will be main course and dessert for the bear . 

[ssanthuff]

I love the 45-70.  I've got a Winchester and a Marlin.  I suggest the Marlin so you can shoot powerful bullets from Buffalo Bore and Garrett.  I've shot both and now hand load all of my rifle ammo.  The Marlin action can handle higher pressures than some manufacturers. 

When I purchased the Marlin I was planning a grizzly hunt and asked a gun smith to build me the best lever gun for the hunt.  He went with the Marlin 1895 and replaced the extractor, magazine follower and trigger with parts from Wild West Guns.  He topped the gun with the XS rail and an intermediate eye relief Leupold scope with quick release Leupold rings and ghost ring backup sight.  In grizzly territory I'd also carry a side arm.  The gunsmith I used also set me up with a Magnum Research BFR in 454 Casull as a sidearm. 

[kodiak 907]

   ssanthuff has got all of the bases covered, big bore with a side arm. I would always make fun of my high school buddy for hunting with his 338 and carrying his 454, until he saved my butt from a charging kodiak brownie.  Three shots to the chest and that bear slid right into his feet, dead as a doornail.