NO round will go "through" brush without deflection. Guys get away shooting through stuff only if it's RIGHT in front of their target.

Truth be told, the .22-250 would be a better "brush buster" than the .45-70. When you really think about what's problematic with shooting through brush, it doesn't come down to what round can hit twigs and carry on, it comes down to what rounds can fit in the narrowest "tube" of travel. Any round is going to deflect. Period. The typical brush busters have big slow bullets, and with that comes rainbowed trajectories...you need a bigger shooting "window" with a .45-70 than with a smaller faster round.

Personally, if I were in your shoes (and I have been as I lived in Elko, MN (1/2hr south of the cities), I'd buy either a compact bolt rifle in .308 or 6.5x55swede, or a lever action in .45-70 compact like the Marlin 1895 Guide Gun. For short ranges, the .308 or swede will do sweet (The swede may be a little light for BIG moose, but for MN moose and blackbear, you'll be fine). The .45-70 isn't a "beginners rifle" really, with factory loads it's pretty mild, except wtih buffalo bore or Garret cartridge co ammo, but with hot hunting handloads, it's a THUMPER.