.45-70 lever action as bear defence?

[pricedo]

The Buffalo Bore web site has a page of testimonial from customers.  There have been many big critters taken in Africa with their 45-70 ammo.

Garrett has had theirs take down Cape Buffalo, breaking the shoulder going in and shattering the hip at the other corner.

My 1895LTD III was far far smoother than the 1895gs I bought later. Looked like black glass inside and out.   When I sold the 1895gs I took all the custom goodies out and put them in the LTD with another mag spring.  My eyes like the open buck horn sight better than the ghost ring I had.

I use the HSM brand "Bear Load" in my 1895G "Guide Gun".
This load puts a 430 grain hard cast lead bullet in the air at 1750 fps and gives me less than 1" 3-shot groups @ 50 yards.
The HSM ammo is significantly cheaper than both Buffalo Bore & Garrett ammo.
Killed a moose and an elk & a very large wild boar with my GG last fall shooting this load.........all 1-shot kills with the animals dropping within 10 yards of the impact location.

[CAMPMEAT]

Was in the market myself a while back and got this one for $300 bucks. I am more accurate with a fast shot from a carbine than with a hand gun.. and with this scope I can keep both eyes open.

Marlin 1895G, factory ported.

Put a Picatinny rail, Leupold VXR 1.5-4x20 and a wild west big loop lever. Next up is a pachmeyer pad and a duracoat job.

Shoots 325 grain Leverolution ammo at 1.5 MOA at 100 yards.

Just an AWESOME little carbine.

I have the same exact rifle. I paid $400 for mine at Rockys in Wenatchhe 9 years ago. I also have a T/C Encore 450 Marlin with a 15 " barrel. That will make a man out of you real quick.

[Jonathan_S]

454. Casull or .45-70 is what I'd use for that.

[brush hunter]

BFR 45-70 10" barrel is a good way to go.

[pricedo]

Was in the market myself a while back and got this one for $300 bucks. I am more accurate with a fast shot from a carbine than with a hand gun.. and with this scope I can keep both eyes open.

Marlin 1895G, factory ported.

Put a Picatinny rail, Leupold VXR 1.5-4x20 and a wild west big loop lever. Next up is a pachmeyer pad and a duracoat job.

Shoots 325 grain Leverolution ammo at 1.5 MOA at 100 yards.

Just an AWESOME little carbine.

I like the gun......not fussy about the gummy bear bullets for big bear defense though they'll do for deer & black bears & the Hornady factory LeveRevolution 325 grain FTX 45-70 ammo is indeed very accurate.

I've got a Guide Gun & installed the Wild West Guns Happy Trigger, bear proof ejector & the Brownells cowboy action spring kit along with the X/S sighting system.

Put a Leupold 2-7x33mm scope on Warne QD mounts so I could use the X/S sighting system for close in work or for a back up sighting system if the scope malfunctioned or was busted.

I prefer the 430 grain hard cast lead bullets for the bigger bears.
 

[magurt]

Our herring pilot in togiak was a brown bear guide and he called his 45 - 70 his stopper!!!

[MikeWalking]

I've got a Guide Gun & installed the Wild West Guns Happy Trigger, bear proof ejector & the Brownells cowboy action spring kit along with the X/S sighting system.

Bet you like that trigger too?

I've got one that I have used in 2 different rifles. Took it out of one before selling it and put it in the next one.    

[pricedo]

I've got a Guide Gun & installed the Wild West Guns Happy Trigger, bear proof ejector & the Brownells cowboy action spring kit along with the X/S sighting system.

Bet you like that trigger too?

I've got one that I have used in 2 different rifles. Took it out of one before selling it and put it in the next one.

A lot better than the factory trigger.......crisp and light........improved accuracy considerably.
Too bad I can't get an after market trigger for my BLRs.........or even better Browning (Miroku) should put a good trigger in the BLR commensurate with it's price range.

[pricedo]

Another of my bear rifles in a Winchester model 1886 Extra Light in 45-70 pictured here with 4 boxes of Buffalo Bore ammo featuring the 500 grain Barnes Buster Bullet.
The barrel is 22" long and the rifle weighs slightly over 7 pounds and the iron sights are crisp, fine and very precise..........ideal for bear protection.

[Biggerhammer]

It may just be me, but I'll take a reliable 12ga gassed up with 3" slugs any day over a lever gun in close to keep a bear off me.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I like the new 45-70 guide guns, but I think if you use that hammer block safety, it could cost you your life in a bear attack.

[HighlandLofts]

I just picked up a older Marlin 444s at Cableas for $329, They had a 45/70 lever action there a week or so ago.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I just picked up a older Marlin 444s at Cableas for $329, They had a 45/70 lever action there a week or so ago.

A guy I worked with years ago bought a Marlin 444 and let my buddy try it at the range.  My buddy dropped the hammer on an empty chamber.  Never saw such a Flinch!     

[mountainman]

The 444 loaded stout with 300 gr XTP'S or wide meplat hard cast works on big critters! One of several.

[mountainman]

But a stout loaded 44 is no slouch either!