Marlin .45-70

[ECVMatt]

Alright this thread got me so fired up about my GG I am going to take it camping tomorrow. We are going up to the Sierras for four or five days. I can't wait to shoot it!

 

[cmdc]

About ammo, are you saying that for black bear the Leverevolution(that word is very hard to type by the way!) is good enough, but something more potent is better for big brown bears, etc.?

I should be picking up the 1895GS today, by the way. Looking forward to it.

 

[ECVMatt]

I would say that LE will work great on most Blackies.

For AK bears I would go with a Buffalo Bore or Corbon type load consisting of a hard cast lead bullet or a penatrator type bullet.

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=150

http://www.dakotaammo.net/CORregBON...ORBON-Hunter-FPPN/HT4570405FPN-20/300/Product

I reload a use a 350 grn Hornaday sp at about 2100 FPS. This same load used to be available from PMC. Here is a load similar to what I make:

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=153

And here is a whole slew of other loads:

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...3&categoryId=7546&categoryString=653***690***

Double Tap is good stuff and I have heard good things about Grizzly as well.

I took the TX pigs with the 300 HP stuff and it flattened them.

If you are going to go with iron sights, I would suggest XS ghost rings or Skinner Sights.

Have fun and enjoy your new rifle.

 

[cmdc]

Thanks. I'll check out the sights you recommended. I think I want to stick with iron sights for now, and those are an improvement over the existing sights.

 

[Maverick223]

About ammo, are you saying that for black bear the Leverevolution(that word is very hard to type by the way!) is good enough, but something more potent is better for big brown bears, etc.?

That is exactly what I am saying. Grizzlies and especially Kodiak/Polar bear require a little more penetration, so I would use a well constructed expanding round (but hard cast or solids could be used), something like a Swift A-Frame would be best IMO. In fact that is exactly what I intend to use for my big bear rifle (though it is a .375H&H), first shot 300gr. A-Frame, subsequent shots 350gr. Woodleigh solids (for a quartering shot if necessary). Keep in mind these are for a smaller caliber, you will need a heavier bullet to achieve similar sectional density and therefore penetration, so I would use 450-465gr. (heavier will work, but you loose too much velocity) projectiles. I believe that something like the 450gr. A-Frame followed by the 450gr. Barnes Banded Solid would be ideal. FWIW, these are the same bullets that I plan to use in my buff. duster (chambered for .458 Am. Express).

 

[cmdc]

Gotcha Maverick223. Thanks