Hi bugs11,

Short of the "big bears".....the .44 Magnum will work. And even then with the best "heavy bullet loads" you wouldn't even then be completely helpless either. But, if are talking about "big bear" country.....the .45-70 with a good bullet load is considerably better.

I have a Marlin 1894P chambered in .44 Magnum and with its 16.25" barrel and a set of peep sights it is wonderfully handy. But the wife and I are heading back to Alaska in the near future and a 1895 Stainless Steel .45-70 Guide Gun is on my "list of things to buy". When it comes to those bears......the .44 just doesn't "ease the pucker factor enough for me".

So, depending on what you intend to use it for.....pick either and rest assured you'll have a great little camp gun!

Good luck with your decision.

Dave