I have nothing to offer on the gun question.

Grew up with them, hunted extensively, still go to the range once in awhile (with a friend's gun collection) and make most of my holes somewhere near the middle of the target.

I know the 45-70 government round well It kicks like a horse unless the gun is very heavy and I think it would stop a freight train. It was very effective on buffalo. But have never had any interest whatever in carrying firearms on the trail, and never regretted that choice. Just can't see it, it's heavy and doesn't fit with my reason for being there.

But just for fun, in something like 65 years of hiking and a whole lot of wildlife encounters (including a mountain lion), the only critter that has ever even threatened to attack me was a very large and very angry moose! If bear spray works on moose, I may take to carrying it in moose country.

Best, jcp