If you had to choose one of two?

[SJPrice]

It has been a while since I have read a "if you had to choose" post, so here goes. If you had to choose between a 45-70 and a 348 Winchester for all your medium to big game hunting, which would you choose and why. Oh and let's assume you hand load and components are not a problem so we do not get the "you can get ammo anywhere" qualifier.

[geobru]

I'd take the 348 in a model 71!

[RIHMFIRE]

tough choice between an 86 and 71
both are classy look'n shooters....and both can
handle any game in north america
but 1st choice for me would be the 86....
I like full tube winnys....octagon barrel...semi buckhorn...
with case colored receiver, hammer and lever...crescent butt plate...
and its got to be an original......not a repro....although they are nice...
bigger hole doesnt hurt either...

[JReed]

45-70.

Straight wall cases last for almost ever. Plus any round that starts with a .4 wins on cool points alone.

[rjohns94]

45-70, my favorite rifle cartridge. i have three. (soon to be two). I like big bores, heavy bullets moving at moderate speeds.

[J Miller]

1886 in 45-70.

Joe

[Tycer]

45-70. Bigger hole. Straight stock.

[CEMENTHEAD]

45-70 without hesitation. Bullets from 250 to 550 grains, in numerous profiles. Not picky as far as powder is concerned. Cat sneeze up to elephant whomper loads, still relatively available, from NUMEROUS factory ammo companies.

And just plain fun to shoot!

Thanks, Tom

[TedH]

I'm going to be different and say the 348, just because it's something not everybody has.

[buckeyeshooter]

348 in a 71

[Old Savage]

45-70 without a second thought.

[Blaine]

For all?

45-70 in a Marlin Cowboy. No reason, just because. A good 300gr load @ about 2000fps would handle anything I'd ever go looking for. Some of Garrett's finest would take you to Africa.

[vancelw]

What CEMENTHEAD says. . .

I own both, but if I had to choose one it would be the .45-70. More versatile to reload and I could buy shells over the counter in a pinch. Be hard to do with my .348.

The .348 is very cool but that doesn't make it best. And I can only see so far anyhow.

Now if I was going to scope it because it was my only weapon and I had to provide sustenance for my family, the .348 would gain another point but probably still come in second IMHO.

[RustyJr]

One of the new Marlin 1895XLR with a fixed 4 power Weaver. Big or small its no problem when your totin a 45-70.

RustyJr

[2X22]

Neither. I ain't choosin'. I'm keeping them both.

My '86 in 45-90 and my 1936 348 are the only two guns I own that have names.

Thunder and Lightning.

2x22

[Alan Wood]

45-70 would be my choice. It would handle any situation I might encounter with factory ammunition.

[SJPrice]

Neither. I ain't choosin'. I'm keeping them both.

My '86 in 45-90 and my 1936 348 are the only two guns I own that have names.

Thunder and Lightning.

2x22

I really like the names 2x22, and I may steal your "Thunder and Lightning" The names I mean, not gonna actually come to your house to steal them, although now that I told you I would not, maybe you would be fooled, but wait, no, not actually gonna come there, just like the names. Yep, I really like the names.

[Borregos]

45-70 without a second thought.

+1

[kimwcook]

45-70 is my vote.

[SJPrice]

I could and can go either way, but today I am leaning toward the 348 Winchester. For 100% of my medium to big game hunting it is definitely up to the task. I can load anywhere from 150 grain loads all the way up to 280 grain loads with the most efficient being the 165 to 250 grain range. The bullets have good ballistics and will shoot very flat out past 250 yards requiring no hold over or hold under from zero to 250 yards even on medium sized targets like coyotes. I do agree that the 45-70 ammo and or components are more available, but I did state that that was not a consideration in the question. I too like the more unique or obscure cartridges and the 348 easily qualifies here as it was only ever chambered in the model 71. As far as "cat sneeze loads" you can do that with any caliber and or cartridge so there is no advantage from one to the other, except that for cast loads, a pound of lead will go a lot further casting for the 348. On any given day I would be satisfied if all I had was a fine 1886 in 45-70 or a fine 71 in 348. I am even happier that I do not have to choose, but it is fun to consider the question.

[SFRanger7GP]

Recently, I did choose. I am starting to cull my herd. I have several 45-70's and had 2 Browning M71's. I sold both the M71's because they never got used. Nothing against the .348, I just wasn't using it. However, I do prefer the 45-70 cartridge.

[BigSky56]

348 it has taken elk moose deer bear will do anything the 45-70 will but do it faster danny
Merry Christmas Everyone

[rodeo kid]

Well, I would go with .45-70 in either a Marlin 1895 or Winchester 1886. Have a Blessed Christmas.

[OldWin]

I own and enjoy both but if forced to choose would probably take the 45-70. My biggest reason being it refuses to die and has more options open to it for the future.

[Bogie35]

For all?

45-70 in a Marlin Cowboy. No reason, just because. A good 300gr load @ about 2000fps would handle anything I'd ever go looking for. Some of Garrett's finest would take you to Africa.

+1!

bogie

[19112TAP]

I have the 71 in .348 but would have to tell you to get the 45-70 for the simple fact of ammo.

[RKrodle]

I'd pick the 348. I have both and prefer the 71 carbine over the 86 rifle. Great round, great rifle.

[tman]

Tough one! I have a 71 carbine and an 86 Src. .348WCF cause it shoots flatter. Now that may change with Hornandy's yet to be released 250 grain rubber point.

[firefuzz]

.45-70 without a doubt.

Rob

[86er]

I want the light rifle with a straight grip so it has to be a 45-70, 1886. If the 71 came in a straight grip light rifle I probably would have chosen the 348.

[Lastmohecken]

I own both, and it's a hard choice, as I like 35 caliber bullets (.348 is slightly different of course), and the medium 35's hit hard, and shoot flatter then the 45/70.

But for one rifle only, one just can't overlook the ease of aquiring factory 45/70 ammo at most any Wal-mart, and if one is traveling and his ammo gets seperated from his rifle, and you have a .348, GOOD LUCK! You might find a box, and you might not know of a box, within 300 miles, or maybe more.

The 45/70 also seems to shoot more accurately, but the .348 is probably accurate enough in most 71's, but they are not know as tack drivers, normally, although the Brownings I have seen shoot better then the originals, IMHO.

I think I would choose the 45/70 if that was my only gun, but I do like my .348 and for a lot of hunting, I think it just might be the better gun, but then again, I am a medium 35 caliber fan, for it's smack down ability. I also use a 350 Remington Mag, sometimes, but that is a different subject.

[Rafe Covington]

45-70

Rafe Covington

[SJPrice]

45-70

Rafe Covington

Why?

[vancelw]

It has been a while since I have read a "if you had to choose" post, so here goes. If you had to choose between a 45-70 and a 348 Winchester for all your medium to big game hunting, which would you choose and why. Oh and let's assume you hand load and components are not a problem so we do not get the "you can get ammo anywhere" qualifier.

I missed the bold the first time , but since you pointed it out. . .the clear choice is .45-70 simply because .458 is bigger than .348.

If ammo and components are moot, then you can't compare anything else. Like someone said, the .45-70 can be loaded with a large variety of bullets and muzzle velocities. The .348 has options as well, but not as many. Since we don't know the velocity and BC (To calculate the path) and we don't know the energy (because we don't know the bullet weight or velocity at any point in the path)-diameter remains the only qualifier.

A larger diameter bullet makes a larger hole (remember, we can't consider components so we know nothing of expansion or any other bullet performance) and is more likely to hit something vital on its path through the animal (or touch a target ring if you're near the edge).

You didn't ask anything about rifle/carbine or 1886/Model 71.

[Birdman]

45-70 in a Marlin. I got some rounds and a buddy has the Marlin. For now. We're always trading back and forth. The next go round I'm after his Guide Gun. I've shot it some and it's more than I need for what I do. I just want it.

[brno602]

I would go .348 I am a 99 guy, so have a .358 the modern .348.
The med bores shoot very flat even with blunt bullets, of course I have a Jap 71 too and my brother has a 45/70.
But I like the med bores cant find any of the barnes .348 225gr bullets anymore though.

[SJPrice]

I would like to find more of the Winchester 250 grain Sivertips. I was able to get fifty from a forum member here and I really like them. They seem to be a nice balance between the Barnes on the tough to too tough side and the Hawk on the soft to too soft side of the 250 grain bullets. I think the 250 grain Silvertips at 2200 fps will be great hog medicine. They are extremely accurate in my Browning with a healthy dose of Reloader 19.

[Griff]

I was going to make a snide remark or two... but my 'puter gave me a sign:

So I figured it wasn't well thought out... then I hit the "refresh" button and guess what... I got what I typed back! Figured that was a sign also... so here ya are!!!


Easy answer would be .45-70, as I have one. Guess I could've gotten a .348 if I wanted one... but why?

As far as the topic is concerned... I was going to answer:
;
but thought better of it... so how 'bout this:
;
if that's not good, how 'bout: