The .405 is a cool claiber, but both calibers you mentioned would be pretty expensive plinking, unless you reload. The 45/70 would be a better choice, but not by much. I bought a Marlin 1895 in june, and I am actually having trouble finding ammo, components, and bullets. So far I have been casting my own, and that saves some. I finally have a load I am confident in for hunting this fall.I thought since the caliber has seen such a resurgence in the last few years, it would be easy to find ammo and such. Factory ammo in really expensive and very under powered. Plinking with a .338 would get old in a short time. The recoil isn't that much different than a .375H&H, I own both, and would actually prefer to shoot the .375. I have put fifty rounds through mine in an afternoon of lesting loads, and the next couple of days, the old shoulder is a bit tender. At any rate, plinking with a big bore can be pricey and painful.