Comments, suggestions, advice.

The gun is a Marlin SBL 6+1. The ammunition would be the Belt Mountain Punch Solids. Would this be enough gun for Cape Buffalo?

You need to check the hunting regulations of the countries you are interested. Many spell out minimum caliber and/or energy requirements.  Lever actions are illegal in some african countries. As for enough gun?  Plenty have been poached with AK's and .308's.

Need to know what Country you are planning on Hunting in to know if its gtg

Not sure what country yet. Was looking at Namibia. It was more a caliber question. If the lever gun is a no go, I have a Ruger#1 in 45-70 as well.

Is a hot loaded 45-70 sufficient for Cape Buffalo?

Most resources quote the 9.3x62 or 9.3x74 as the minimum.  Even Garret's +P loads top out at a 540gr @ 1550 fps which is less that 3,000 ft/lbs energy at the muzzle.

Laws in Namibia as follows.  Went there in October

1350 joules for Springbuck and smaller ( .243, 223, 270 etc.)
2700 joules for plains game such as Eland, Kudu, Oryx, Hartebeest etc. (in the 30-06, 7,8,9mm class)
5400 joules for Elephant/buffalo ( 375.HH, 458. etc.)


45/70 does not meet the joule requirements AFAIK.

Enough yes, 45-70 is not what I would want to go hunting with in Africa.  It be a good guide gun for stopping a charge not for taking a longer shot.

If you are going to Africa pick yourself up a 375 H&H or the better 375 Ruger.  A 300 grain solid will kill absolutely everything in Africa.

Only problem with the 375 Ruger cartridge is you probably can't find Ammo for it in Africa, but you should be bringing enough ammo with you anyways.

Thank y'all.

With the right bullet/powder there are some Ruger #1 loads that meet those requirements...



ie:

Barnes has published that their 400gr JSP with 50.0gr of AA 1680 will push 2185fps out of a 24" barrel.  2185fps from a 400gr = 4240ft.lbs = ~5747 joules.



Additionally, these are published loads, I vaguely remember seeing people having worked up loads using 500gr GC hardcast pushing 2200fps. That would give you 5373ft.lbs and 7285 joules.



 



Though, you'll be spending a bit of coin to go on the trip; you might consider getting a rifle (bolt action) purposed for the trip.  It would likely serve you better than a single shot 45-70 and be far lighter.  Plus the caliber won't be in question.



 

That's what I was thinking. The lever gun can handle some screaming hot loads as well, but if not legal, it is a moot point.

But if your ammo is lost then you are gonna use some Remmy 405gr RNSP's from 1995 that the LGS tracked down?  Honestly get a 458 WM or Lott.  Winchester M70 or CZ550 are the 2 best bargains.  For farting around in the states you can use 45/70 bullets with trailboss or 5744.

Guides I worked with did not like clients using handloads.  Said they had too many clicks that should have been bangs.

Odd. Most of the people I know that hunt Africa use nothing but ammo they load themselves.

Very good points on what could happen if my ammo gets lost. I probably will have a hard time finding any suitable 45-70 over there. Will rethink rifle choice.

For everyday hunting, 45/70 may not have the legs. If you are going to hunt smaller game in the Lowveld region then it will be great - no real long shots there, but everywhere else is going to require at least a .243.
If you plan on taking any big game, get a .375 or larger. The 45/70 may develop the required energy for legality, but if you lose your ammo, you are screwed. I don't think I ever saw 45/70 ammo  in SA, Botswana or Namibia, but it's been a decade... Quality control at what used to be PMP is so down the drain now, I'd rather shoot Tula.

No.

The largest gun store in Namibia does not commonly have available any American "Lever-Action" ammunition, and last I heard they did not have anything from Hornady, though this may have changed.

Watch layovers in Germany, as they can be quite strict with the 11 pound maximum ammunition (per person). If found over, all ammo goes bye-bye.

Some PH consider use of a lever action a "Novelty Hunt", right along with some single shots, or even archery hunts. No question, a 45-70 loaded well, is more than adequate, but it relies upon the hunter's skill, and legalities of the region. The .50 Alaskan conversions would probably meet the required joules of energy, but much like the .457 WWM and .470 Turnbull, if something goes wrong in transit at the airport, you could potentially have to use a loaner/ rental rifle. If you are using any optics/ scope, and have an extra to carry, it is always good insurance. I can think of plenty commercially available loads for the 45-70, including offerings from Buffalo Bore, Garrett, Cor-Bon, Grizzly and HSM, which would perform well with a good marksman, however, legalities are the only problem.

I am in the same boat with my .376 Steyr.....It is more than adequate, but the same conditions make it more sensible to pack my .458 Lott. And in my case, I prefer the Lott's recoil, over the Steyr's.

PC!

Haven't seen you around.  Hope all is well.