pick two

[jpstrait]

If you could only pick two between the 45-70, 375 win., 35 rem., or 30-30, which two would you pick for deer/bear hunting? Happy hunting.

[hicard]

I would go for the 45-70 and the 35 Remington.  I have both of them and would not want to give them up.

[TNrifleman]

My first choice would be the grand old 45-70 Govt. After that,  Well, I kinda get  a litle less certain. All the other three will do a fine job in good hands. I admire all three.

The 375 Winchester is all but a "cult cartridge"  revered in certain circles, ignored by most others. I happen to really like the 375, and I have a Marlin chambered for it that is far more accurate than it has any right to be. Factory ammunition is a problem for it. The handloader has no real problems currently. I wish a gunmaker would try it again, but that's not likely.

The 30-30 amd 35 Remington have both done good work in the woods for many years. Both have their advocates and detractors. I'm not one of them. I like both rounds. No doubt these two are the most widely used, most readily available, and most affordable choices on your list.

Why did I pick the 45-70 as my first choice? I guess it is like the answer to why buy a Harley Davidson motorcycle. If you have to ask, you just  wouldn't understand.

[NYH1]

If you could only pick two between the 45-70, 375 win., 35 rem., or 30-30, which two would you pick for deer/bear hunting? Happy hunting.

Since I can only pick between the four you mentioned I would (and I did) choose a 35 Rem. in a Marlin 336CS and a 45-70 in a 1895 with a 22 inch barrel.

I would much rather have (and I do) a 444 Marlin. I'm in no way knocking the 45-70.....its just plain awesome. I just prefer the 444 Mar. thats all. The 444 Marlin has all the power you'll ever need for black bear and wild boar. If I need more power then Remington's 240 gr. Core-Lokt or Hornady's 265 gr. ammo I would use Cor-Bon's "factory loaded" 280 gr. bonded-core bullet. Cor-Bon lists 2200 fps but thats with a 18 inch barrel. Mine rifle has a 22 inch barrel and in the May 2004 issue of "SHOOTING TIMES" Layne Simpson got 2344 fps and 3412 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle.  Cor-Bon also has a 305 gr. "penetrator round" for the 444 Mar. Hornady's 350 gr. 450 Marlin ammo has 2100 fps and 3427 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle. The "bore factor" isn't really and issue either. A 45-70 and a 450 Mar. have a .458" bore, the 444 Mar. has a .429" bore, thats .029" of an inch, it not even a spark plug gap! I don't think there is a animal in "North America" that will be able to tell the difference between Cor-Bon's 280 gr., 305 gr. and /or a good 300 gr. handload or  a 45-70 or even a 450 Marlin!

[leverfan]

If you could only pick two between the 45-70, 375 win., 35 rem., or 30-30, which two would you pick for deer/bear hunting? Happy hunting.

From that list, I'd pick the 45-70 and the 30-30.  Ample power, wide ammo selection, lots of reloading possibilities, and they're not so close in size as to be redundant.

[dawei]

If you could only pick two between the 45-70, 375 win., 35 rem., or 30-30, which two would you pick for deer/bear hunting? Happy hunting.

For me it's the 45-70 & 30/30. Cheapest cost in factory ammo & widest availability of ammunition choices.

[Leverdude]

If you could only pick two between the 45-70, 375 win., 35 rem., or 30-30, which two would you pick for deer/bear hunting? Happy hunting.

From that list, I'd pick the 45-70 and the 30-30.  Ample power, wide ammo selection, lots of reloading possibilities, and they're not so close in size as to be redundant.

Yeah, what he said.  :grin:   Already have both so I suppose I'm all set.
That said, theres no way, no way at all I'll ever have just 2 rifles. Just wouldnt be right.

[old06]

The 45-70 for the big thump and the 30-30 for everything else. For every remark against the 30-30 round I here 9 in favor of it. Both have stood the test of time an our grand kids will be having this same debate over these great rounds.

[TennesseeNuc]

I did pick the 45-70 and the .375.  Both are good shooters and will perform about the same.  They just give me a choice from one day to the next.  If there was a 35 Guide gun around I might have to extend my choices to three.
Best,
TnNuc

[jpstrait]

Thanks for the responses, I figured the 45-70 would be the popular one out of the bunch. I do own a 45-70 in 1895 and was really debating on the other three. I say two because that is what my budget will allow, otherwise I'd have all four. I reload also so ammunition wouldn't be a major concern. I'm leaning towards the 30-30 because it seems to contrast the most with the 45-70. The 35 rem and 375 win seem very similar to me as far as bullet weights/velocities go, but they appear to do a heck of a job from what I've read on this forum and others. Thanks again.