450 versus 45-70?
Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2021 8:23 am
New guy here.
My wife and I are planning a camping trip to Alaska this summer, and I’m looking for a rifle that I can use for both bear protection there, as well as deer hunting in Ohio. Something fairly compact, but powerful. I grew up in Alaska, and spent a lot of time on the classic 30-06. But I haven’t shot a gun in a while so it’s time to start dusting off those marksman skills.
Initially my search led me to the Marlin 1894 Trapper In 45-70. But those are hard to find (and expensive). It sounds like that company’s been through the spin cycle the past few years.
So imagine my delight when I discovered the .450 Bushmaster cartridge and the RAR. Heavy bullets, straight-walled cartridges, and the same bear stopping power as a classic guide gun round like the 45-70. Or so I thought.
Recently I was reading in another forum that the 30-06 with a 200 grain bullet actually has more energy leaving the muzzle than the 450 BM.
If I was trying to stop a charging bear at 50 yards, would a 30-06 actually be a better choice than a 450?
My wife and I are planning a camping trip to Alaska this summer, and I’m looking for a rifle that I can use for both bear protection there, as well as deer hunting in Ohio. Something fairly compact, but powerful. I grew up in Alaska, and spent a lot of time on the classic 30-06. But I haven’t shot a gun in a while so it’s time to start dusting off those marksman skills.
Initially my search led me to the Marlin 1894 Trapper In 45-70. But those are hard to find (and expensive). It sounds like that company’s been through the spin cycle the past few years.
So imagine my delight when I discovered the .450 Bushmaster cartridge and the RAR. Heavy bullets, straight-walled cartridges, and the same bear stopping power as a classic guide gun round like the 45-70. Or so I thought.
Recently I was reading in another forum that the 30-06 with a 200 grain bullet actually has more energy leaving the muzzle than the 450 BM.
If I was trying to stop a charging bear at 50 yards, would a 30-06 actually be a better choice than a 450?