Personally, I would go with the 45-70 as you can utilize it for deer through larger game. I have both and while I enjoy the 30-30, I use the 45-70 or 450 Marlin for bear and sometimes deer and I have not had issues dropping animals immediately. You have a variety of options for the commercially available ammo for the 45-70 if you do not handload. The recoil can be stout, but an animal getting hit by that round won't go far, especially larger bears and allows for some tolerance on impact locations. Either option will be good for PA bears, but it really depends on what you can afford, if you can handle the recoil for range shooting since in the field it would be different and less rounds and what fits your needs best.
In all honesty, I would go with what your initial gut instinct said so you don't second guess yourself.

My only other assessment is stay away from the lever revolution ammo from Hornady. They suck for expansion, or at least what I have noticed in animals I have shot with any of my lever actions. For bear, I always use the jacketed flat nose ammo and for bear, heavier rounds (405 grain) such as those from Buffalo Bore or hand loads.

 

My only other assessment is stay away from the lever revolution ammo from Hornady.

Yes, but for more reasons than no expansion.
First is, if you reload, you must use the same flex tips. The brass is shorter from Hornady than others.
Second is, if using a tube magazine, they have a tendency to jam majorly on the ramp due to twisting. Those guns were developed with flat or round tips. Believe me, I know from experience. Gunsmith had to disassemble the whole gun to get it out. He does about 6 a year with those bullets.

 

If you were asking which caliber for a Maine or Canadian bait hunt I'd say take your pick as bears aren't hard to kill with the right shot.

BUT, you specified that the rifle is to be used doing pushes as in bear drives. You will not have the luxury of picking your shots in that scenario, it'll be take what you get and it's very unlikely you'll be getting a standing broadside shot. For the stated purpose it's the 45-70 hands down.

 

could look into a Winchester model 88 in 308 or a Browning BLR in 308 also. both are lever actions and would be an excellent driving rifle. i know the Winchester will be hard to find but the Browning should be easier to find.

 

45-70 hands down.

 

just a suggestion because of the recoil from the 45-70. the 308 should handle most bears and with less recoil.

 

My 1895 is my go rifle for most hunting, recoil has never been a issue with it. Because of weight I would rather carry the 35 Marlin on a rough walk.

 

Good thoughts. I have looked at the blr and a buddy has one nice gun but I think I am looking for a shorter barrel which is what leads me to the trapper series on the marlin.

 

Then try the Rossi Trapper before you buy

 

45-70 all the way! Nothing worse than feeling like you're undergunned when you're out there in the bush. I hunted with a 350 Legend for deer last year and had my doubts. Pretty much always used an '06 or 270 for deer. I knew on paper it would do the job but seems so small and recoil free. Never did kill a deer with it to prove the theory.

 

I've never felt undergunned with my 30-30 in PA. I even took it Moose hunting

 

jusy my opinion but, i dont think there's a better overall gun than the 30 06.

 

Don't overlook the Rossi 95. I have a couple Marlin 336's and I like the Rossi even more

 

45-70 If you ever hunt a straight wall area you are set.If you go Marlin,go JM.

 

I don't feel that way. I have a JM and a Remlin and they both seem on par with each other. The JM is a '72 model and the Remlin i bought new in '16. The JM has a nicer finish but I completely trust them both. And many claim the Ruger made Marlins are the best yet

 

For pushing the 30-30 will get the job done. Any shooting you do will probably be up close and personal, if you're driving the stuff you should be driving. The Trapper is a good gun for what you want to use it for. Load it with a heavy grain flat nose bullet. I would also install a peep sight, with the insert removed, if the sight has one.
We have one hunter that hunt with us, he uses a bolt action 30-30 for all big game, he has killed two bear with us so far.

 

IMO, a 760 carbine in 308 or a 7600 Carbine in 30'06 is about the ideal deer/bear gun with it rising to exceptional status for drives. Compact, plenty of firepower, and has a fast action if needed.

 

Not a bad choice, but why switch caliber in models? Both calibers will get the job done.

 

I agree a 30-30 is more than enough.. a 35 marlin lever is even more near and dear to me. First rifle I shot as a kid. Like others are saying, the furthest I ever killed an animal out to was 100 yards with a rifle in all my years hunting. Pa woods are thick. However a 45-70 does put a wallop on them.

 

semi auto 12 gauge with a red dot sight, 18 inch barrel, loaded to capacity

 

I think I have narrowed it down to 4570

Now to decide between marlin trapper (shorter barrel ) or the sbl which is roughly 3 inches longer.

 

How bout the guide gun?

 

I'd go with the 45-70, there is a big difference between a 100#, bear ,and a 500# bear.

 

That is true. But I've seen at least a dozen different bears around the house in the last two weeks. Includingfour today. Only one was a 500 pounder. The majority weren't even 200.

 

While I was making that post I noticed this one at the back door. It is less than 100 lbs

 

375 H&H handles any bear any size!!!!

 

I've only shot 2 bears in Pa. 1-151# and 1@520#, big difference in them.
I want a caliber and bullet that will handle the 520# or the 151#.

 

Truth. I'll take over gunned than undergunned every time.

 

Checked out the trapper today and to my suprise it was actually a bit to short. I think I will go with the sbl. That gains me a couple inches.

 

Just shows different strokes for different folks. I'm crazy about 16" leverguns. I have one in 30-30 and one in 45-70

 

I have been using hornady 350 grain flat points in my 45-70. Excellent bullet for anything. Last year I tried the flex tip 250 grain all copper bullet. I didn't shoot anything with it , but they shot very well

 

If it can kill a deer it can kill a bear. Aim small miss small. A 30-06, 30-30, .35, 45-70 can kill any big game in PA. Just make a good shot. Just pick your flavor of action.

 

If it can kill a deer it can kill a bear

But bears leave lousy blood trails.

 

I agree most calibers will kill a pa bear, but in our groups circumstance we like the bigger calibers due to a lot of hunters around us while we're driving bears. We try to put them down right away. our group mainly Carry's 45-70's and 444's.

 

We loss 3 different bear because they ran out of sight of our gang!

 

Yes!! We have lost a few over the years it's so frustrating especially for the drivers!! There are a ton of hunters around us and over the years they get closer and closer to our drives nothing we can do about it but it gets annoying!!

I hit my Bear 4 times with a 45-70 loaded with Hornday Revolution 325 grains. The first shot was in the ribs and he was PISSED trying to bite what hit him lol but 2 more in the ribs and one at the base of the neck finally did him in..