I confess I am partial to the 45 70 both for the history of it, its popularity, and the fact that you can buy loads up to dangerous game class if you feel the need. For the Marlin, it is possible for the wrong meplat to cause a "spontaneous dissassembly" if the edge of the meplat is contacting the primer of the following round while in the postion just prior to the chamber. That is because it is somewhat canted. Thus, I would check with the manufacturer to make sure that it works. I skip that risk as I am down to a Ruger #1 in the grandaddy.