[elcid1970]

I have a latter-day Browning Model 1886 in 45-70 and ammo with the plastic tip safe for tubular magazines.

I don’t live in bear country but would that be adequate if I did?

[Kip Russell]

I have a latter-day Browning Model 1886 in 45-70 and ammo with the plastic tip safe for tubular magazines.

I don’t live in bear country but would that be adequate if I did?

Most .45-70 ammo is loaded to low pressure so it's safe to use in vintage rifles. Even at these levels, it should be adequate for bears.

In the case of your Browning, it can be loaded somewhat hotter, making it more effective. Here's an example of some "+P" .45-70 ammo:

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=328

Its use should be limited to the following firearms: All Marlin 1895 (1895 Marlins are simply 336 actions, with a 45-70 barrel screwed on to them) iterations made since 1972, all Browning 1885 and 1886 copies, Rossi Rio Grande, New England Arms Handi Rifle, T/C Encore, ALL falling block actions made of modern steel such as the Ruger #1 and #3, Shiloh, Christian and Pedersoli Sharps, all Winchester 1886 iterations made since 1915 and all Siamese Mauser bolt actions.

It fires a 300 grain bullet at 2350 fps...a considerable boost over the standard load which shoots the same bullet at 2050 fps. Of course, it costs $75 for a box of 20...but you get what you pay for.

[AnAmericanMother]

Well, some people think that nothing short of a .375 H&H or .458 Win Mag is sufficient for bear, but I think that's probably overkill. And sighting it in will beat you to pieces . . . but when you're staring down Brother Bear, you'll never feel the recoil.

.45-70 is a good old fashioned round with relatively slow velocities and heavy bullets. As long as you use the modern 'hot' loads in a decent rifle (in other words, DON'T use granddaddy's trapdoor Springfield with the reduced loads) it should be adequate bear medicine.