Swamp Rooster,

Welcome to the Big Bore Club! You're going to love that thumper! I bought my Marlin 45/70 Guide Gun in 2000 and have had nothing but excellent results. I reload my own ammo and started out with a400 gr. Speer bullet on top of 40 gr. of IMR 4198.It wasn't fast, but it dropped em' like a ton of bricks. It's a great gun for up here in the Adirondacks.

Last year Iswitched to a 300 gr. Hollow Pt. on top of 50gr. of Reloader 7 and continued to have great results. I'm now reloading this round for several of the guys inour hunting party.Yep.. you read that right. Most of the guys I hunt with are nowhunting with 45/70's. Now I'm not trying to start a flame about"knock down power", but I've taken my share of deer with .30-30's, .30-06, .35 Rem., 7mm Mag, andin my own experience, that 45/70 puts em down faster than any of the others. Good luck this hunting Season!