Now that is a complicated question. If I'm at my place in BC I cannot legally hunt without a guide. The fishing is pretty terrific though so, If I'm concerned with Bears, Black and Griz, usually in the Spring when they just have their Cubs, I carry a Mod 71 348. Sometimes a Mod 762 in '06 w/220 grain loads. Small, handy, and potent at the ranges I would have to shoot, 5 yards or less.

I have been thinking of building a 9.3x62 on a BLR. That would be pretty cool.

If on horseback I like the 348 also for Bears as it is very thin, light and with a very light scabbard easy to have around. As you can guess it is well used and not a collector's piece.

When hunting on horseback, bolt action, usually my 340 Weatherby.

In Alaska always the 375 SS Win.

When on foot in the US my 9.3x74R for everything except Mule Deer and Pronghorn, then a 300 H&H by Marholt.

Any of these can be replaced by a mood or whim.

I have had a couple of 45-70 in the Marlin. They are alright but I prefer the 348 with 250 grain bullets for the same things.

I would never take one to Africa. Not because they wouldn't work, they would, mostly, but because there are so many more versitile cartridges and rifles.