I have both the 44 and the 45-70 in Marlin Levers. The 44 is the 1894 cowboy version and the 45-70 is the guide rifle with the now discontinued ported barrel. Both shoot great and funtion flawlessly. Don't know what you're going to try and stop but I remember reading an article along time ago when the hunter asked the Alaskan outfitter why he carried a 45-70 and not a "magnum" rifle. His answer was simply "A grizzly ain't dangerous when he's out there 300 yards."
But if it was me and I wanted a gun simply for protection from bears and disposing of unwanted pesky varmints I would opt for a good 12 ga pump gunand have it loaded with 00 buck and slugs.