has anybody ever done any tests to see how buffalo bore or garrett ammo penetrate. i just bought a guide gun and was considering using this while berry picking with the family and occansionally for deer. Would you feel safe using this rifle with buffalo bore and coming across a brownie? all feed back welcome

I am prety sure that is what those loads are for. Bear protection I mean.
I would use somthing else for deer. If you don't reload a factory 300 grain HP would do well enough. With my hand loads I consider My 22 inch 1895 to be a 200 yard hunting rig with 300 HPs for deer and 350 FNs for elk...tj3006

The Garrett 420 gr. works fine on deer. I wouldn't hesitate to use the 540 gr. for bear defense, either. What a potent little package that Guide Gun is!

Anyway, do some searches on A-R about the .45-70. Its capabilities have been argued to death here.

Pertinax

be vewwwwwy vewwwy qwwieeet...these people on this board dont like the 45-70 or the guide gun. the 45-70 guide gun stainless is my favorite rifle and if you can aim it under preasure it is a great gun. just use the 350 grain north forks bullet for your one load from deer to big browns and you will be fine. deer out to 200 yards bears under 100. knowing your gun and trajectory and being able to put it in the heart, front shoulders or the brain on a bear is the key. garret stuff is awesome on penetration but tough and expansion has an edge

Phil Shoemaker (458win) posted a load that he uses for defense against big bears. It was just a couple of weeks ago and shouln't be too hard to locate.

BoomStick

It's only when somebody says with all confidence that the 45/70 is capable of African Dangerous Game that causes a serious reaction. Now, a 45/70 is kinda marginal on big brown bears and I would rather use much bigger calibers in my arsenal. I don't think ANY hot-loaded 45/70 is the equal of any 416 Rig/Rem, 458 WM, or 458 Lott.

yes, in africa i will hunt with a 416 rigby. but i plan on hunting a big brown in alaska with my guide gun

Personally I do not like hammer guns because they are slow for me to get into action. However, I would feel fine about carrying a 45-70 with buffalo bore or garrett ammo for bear. My preference would be the greater velocity available from a .458 win mag or lott, but that's realy just preference not necessity.