.45-70 Grizz Defense

[WYO300RUM]

I have 2 friends that have been attacked by black bears, 1 of them lost part of a finger, he's known as 9 1/2 now, the doc doesn't know if the bear bit it off or he shot it off when shooting the beat that was on top of him. The other had a bear on top of him while he was stabbing it and it bit him on his inner thigh, he almost bled to death, so black bear attacks do happen, but I get it, they are not normally near the size of grizzly's, nor are their claws or teeth near as long.

Lucky wasn't a griz. Probably but more than finger and thigh. Where I used to live a bunch of boy scouts were camping and at night a black bear killed a kid in his sleeping bag. He had toothpaste in the tent.

 

[Old Rooster]

It's unlikely that my Marlin GG will see use in our elk hunting area. Our area is mixed with timber and wide open spaces….so the 45-70 is not practical for "all around" use! If it is used…..I will be using my "homegrown" powder coated, cast (tempered), 430 grain, wide metplat bullets pushed to near 1900fps.

That's the only bullet (load) that I use in my GG, whether it be deer or larger game. A similar bullet and load, should give you "end to end" penetration on all but perhaps the largest bears, while creating a pretty decent path of destruction while in route!

By the way…….beautiful rifle! I'm a bit envious as I wanted SS, but settled for a large loop, blue, in laminate! memtb

I ordered mine today but I got the 405 gr as my old shoulder gives me grief with anything much over 405 grs.

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

Take some of the tests with photos of bears and try to identify…..it's easier said than done! memtb

I don't think so. Maybe at first glance or at a picture but not in the wild with a moving animal.
In fact I just took Chuckrub's Wy bear ID test and got 16 out of 16 and that was with pics. A moving animal is even easier to identify.
If you don't know or can't tell the difference you'd be wise to do some homework.

 

[WYO300RUM]

What It Looks Like To Have A Grizzly Charge You

Wyoming photographer Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven writes: "If you ever wonder what it looks like when a grizzly comes sprinting directly towards you ... here is…

cowboystatedaily.us20.list-manage.com

 

[alaska]

I ordered mine today but I got the 405 gr as my old shoulder gives me grief with anything much over 405 grs.

I recommend 350gr Speer FN
Much less observed recoil even at 2000 fps
This bullet performs like a bonded bullet on game like moose and bear

Yes my go to bullet in my Marlin for years
the 350 gr Speer fN is a very tough bullets and behaves like a bonded bullet on moose.
in my Marlin 45/70
iMR 4198 @ 48
350 gr Speer FN
WW Brass WLR primer
crimp using Lee factory crimp die
2.590" COAL
very accurate load in my Marlin GG and Trapper
great weight retention
The 350gr Speer is a tough bullet and weight retention will be excellent…….,,highly recommend for Alaska hunting in 45/70.
and accurate too !

 

[Old Rooster]

I'll see if I can find some.I used speer in the past with great results but for was unable to find speer's so I went to Hornady 350 gr round nose.
Never had a problem with speer.

 

[alaska]

Yes 350gr Hornady RN is my second pick. Great for Deer and Black Bear / Boar/ elk. A little more expansion than 350gr Speer. In the Marlin Guide Gun 45/70 the Reloader 7 @ 51.8 for 2000 fps in WW brass and Fed 210M primers is a real performer.

 

[Old Rooster]

I'll try that load as I have several Reloader 7 loads for 45-70

 

[memtb]

I'll try that load as I have several Reloader 7 loads for 45-70

But……do you have any Reloader 7? I'd kill, or at least contemplate, for a 5 pounder of #7! memtb

 

[Old Rooster]

I don't have 5 pounds but found 1 pound for sale awhile back and bought it.I think it was Powder Valley as they had IMR4350 also and bought a few 1 pound cans of that also.

 

[WYO300RUM]

But……do you have any Reloader 7? I'd kill, or at least contemplate, for a 5 pounder of #7! memtb

I'll keep my eye open at two places here. One has powder all the time . Maybe can check today.
Like alaska said about 4198. I saw it last time I was there.

 

[Old Rooster]

Not too long ago Bruno's had some but at the time you had to buy a boat load to buy some.They have since changed and now it's within reason so I'll check them today as I plan on using the 45-70 alot more.

 

[alaska]

Reloader 7 is excellent but IMR 4198 is good back up both will give great performance in the Marlin 45/70.
I will also add IMR 3031 to the mix !

 

[Old Rooster]

I still have some 4198 in a can left.I was told that as long as it is sealed it will last a life time and still have some 3031 too as that used to be my go to load for 45-70 back in the 1970's.
I really need to find some 45-70 brass.