no one can possibly be expected too unfailingly select someone elses favorite hunting rifle,
there are always other factors , unknown experiences and other options ,
and while I've used a marlin 44 mag and 45/70 extensively with good results,
I'm certainly open to trying other rifles, but that being stated,
I've consistently found,
the browning BLR in calibers, 257 Roberts, 358 win and 450 marlin to be head and shoulders above any marlin I've ever owned when it comes to consistent repeatable accuracy.
match that BLR to a high quality optic and you have a very lethal combo, Id be much happier with a BLR than a marlin personally.
now theres not a darn thing wrong with a marlin 45/70 marlin, that will keep consistent 1.7"-to-2" three shot, 100 yard groups throwing a 350 grain bullet at about 1700 fps, Ive had several guys in my hunting club use one to drop elk.
but my 450 marlin has consistently been more accurate (not that it really matters if it shoots 1"-to-1.2" three shot hundred yard groups.) and a 405 grain remington pushed to about 1800 fps has been very impressive
but theres two guys in my group of friends that have used a 358 win blr to kill elk for decades, in fact one guy preferres to use nothing else and my late hunting partner collected 16 elk over 35 years with his 358 win loaded with speer 250 grain bullets over 44 grains of IMR 4064