375 JDJ or 45-70?

[olywa]

Which one for elk guys? I use a 10" G2 in 44 Mag for deer, but I've got an urge to try elk this year and I'd like a little more gun. I hunt in pretty heavy cover so most shots will be under 100 yards, and a long shot might go 150 yards.

I plan on keeping this rifle fairly compact so I'm thinking that a 21" barrel with my 4x20 Burris Short Mag will be the ticket. I also plan to order a Gunstocks Inc. stock with the Limbsaver recoil pad. I'm guessing total weight will be around 7 pounds or under. Also, I plan on handloading so availability of factory ammo doesn't factor in.

I don't think there's a bad choice here, and for those of you that are fixing to suggest I get both, I'm already thinking about that but can't afford it just yet. So which one of these is going to be more versatile and less punishing? How about as an all-around one-gun/one load rifle for deer, black bear, and elk in heavy cover?

[Redhawk1]

I would go with the 45-70.  

[palgeno]

Which? In .375 JDJ, I have both 14 inch pistol and 20 inch carbine barrels from SSK and they both shoot very well. If you are only using factory ammo, the available 220 grain .375 JDJ is not that great. If you are handloading, however, you will be able to do much better. In 45-70, you have more factory ammo choices, but you cannot load to full power. So---if handloading the .375 JDJ would be the better choice IMHO. :grin: pg