Thank goodness for youtube video testing of bullets like 300g vs 350g vs 400g and penetration. I am new to the 45-70, so seeing the penetration and mushrooms for hard-cast vs jacketed and hollow point vs flat point is very telling.

Hard cast lead bullets are made from a mixture of lead, antimony, and tin, resulting in a harder bullet that offers deeper penetration and less deformation upon impact.

I typically like bullets to mushroom for thin skinned game like deer but in the case of bears, I like penetration and less mushrooming. Why is that?

Primarily I want penetration on bears for an exit wound/blood trail shooting them end to end.  

I like Hornady 250, 300 for deer size game and 350g and 400g flat points for bears. You never know when a 300 pound black bear or even larger shows up at a bait. I believe the 45-70 is great wild hog medicine up close as well. Having the ability to lever fast shots is essential around ornery game is a real plus.

For longer range elk and moose, I will stick to bolt rifles like my 7mm Rem Mag or my .375 Ruger. I did take a small bear with the 7mm at 30 yards but felt it better utilized at longer range.

Good Hunting!