Marlins are STILL made from walnut & steel. This places them a cut above many other makes. Their .45/70's are excellent guns.

Recoil of the .45/70 ranges from pretty mild (from the standard factory load with 405-grain bullet at 1330 FPS) to downright brutal (a 400-+ grain bullet at 1800-2000 FPS from the custom ammo makers). The question is not "is the recoil manageable?" but "can I handle the recoil of the .45/70 load I intend to use?" How much recoil can you tolerate?

The slow, 405-grain load delivers essentially the same performance as the old U.S. Cavalry carbine black powder load. This load is adequate for game up to elk and moose if you can get to within 100 yards or so of your game. But if you want longer range and/or intend to shoot big bears, you should consider using one of the more powerful loads that are made by outfits such as Garrett, and then recoil becomes a factor for many people.

In addition, IF you are a handloader, the .45/70 is VERY VERSATILE cartridge. You can load it with bullets ranging from a lead round ball at 800 FPS for plinking beer cans up to a 500-grain solid at 1800 FPS that will go all the way through at least one Cape Buffalo.

My .45/70 is currently a Ruger single shot, whichpermits the use of somewhatheavier loads than you can shoot in the Marlin. But if I ever get another .45/70, it WILL BE a Marlin!