Weather or not the 45-70 is an African rifle depends much on the ability of the hunter. The Marlin has taken the big five and or big six in Africa several times. Most game over there is taken with the Garret or Corbon loads however many of the LBT cast bullets have had great success on the worlds biggest and most dangerous game. I have used it quite a bit in the past but well make absolulely no recommendations one way or the other as I think that its up to each hunter to use however much gun they personally need to make a good safe clean kill. The 45-70 will and has done it many times. In answer to North American game, there is nothing here that cannot be taken well with a 45-70 roaded to its upper levels. This goes in spades for the Ruger NO.l in that caliber.