Want to order 45 Colt bullets for Ruger Redhawk and 45-70 bullets for Marlin 1895. Ordering the Beartooth 300gr. WFN GC ( for the 45 Colt)and the 525gr. Piledriver (for the 45-70). I see several sizes avail. Which are appropriate for for my guns? Both will be used for bear defense. Any thoughts on these bullet choices for Griz defense? Thanks in advance.

It would be best to slug the barrels & measure the revolver forcing cones first, but with my Rugers and Marlins I generally order the largest size available.

Since you have modern guns with little wear, many .45 shooters do well with bullets sized about .452 for the revolver and .458 for the rifle. If your guns were older with years of wear, it would be important to slug your chamber throats and barrels to be sure. Your .45-70 should be more than ample for Griz defense and hopefully you will not have to rely on your Redhawk. The best defense would be to avoid an encounter. ;)

Since you have modern guns with little wear, many .45 shooters do well with bullets sized about .452 for the revolver and .458 for the rifle. If your guns were older with years of wear, it would be important to slug your chamber throats and barrels to be sure. Your .45-70 should be more than ample for Griz defense and hopefully you will not have to rely on your Redhawk. The best defense would be to avoid an encounter. ;)
Thanks for the reply Marshal! I hope I don't have to use either, either. But for the Redhawk, do you recomend another bullet or just realize (as I do) that the rifle is much more effective? Also does anyone have an opinion about having the cylinder on the Redhawk reamed? I have read that newer Rugers, especialy the DA revolvers, come with overly tight cylinders. Does anyone have any knowledge of this? Mine seems less accurate (with cast and jacketed bullets) than the ones I have read about in all the rags. Thanks again!

Take the revolver to a gunsmith and have him mike the bore, forcing cone and cylinders. He will be able to tell you if there is a difference and what he can do to correct any problems. This is NOT a home shop remedy, unless you know what you're doing.

. . . for the Redhawk, do you recomend another bullet or just realize (as I do) that the rifle is much more effective? Mine seems less accurate (with cast and jacketed bullets) than the ones I have read about in all the rags. Thanks again! I have to admit that I have never tried to knock down a Griz with a handgun so I hope some of the guys who have can answer your question. I will say that any 300 gr. solid .45 Colt bullet travelling in excess of 1000 fps is to be very respected. If you suspect accuracy problems with your Redhawk, I would suggest you do as kdub recommends and get a gunsmith to check it out. The best would be your gunsmith finds everything is correct whereas the next best would be that the chamber throats need to be reamed a bit. Good luck on your hunt! :)

300+ grain .45 Colt bullets will go through a 3+ feet of pig, easy.