I'm in the market for a bonafide woods gun. I'm talking shots within 100 yds and bow hunting type setups. I really want a lever gun with fix low power scope scenario. These two calibers are about as common as I can get in a lever gun as far as ammo availability. Stopping power and blood trails are important to me. Which caliber would you choose?

45/70 no comparison at 100 yrds. I have killed 26 with my H&R 45/70 and only one ran 20yrds other 25 never took a step. Some people complain about recoil but doesn't kick bad to me ,and my niece who is 17 and weighs 100 Lbs killed her first 2 deer with it. The one that ran was actually shot at 165 yrds, Its an awesome round

If not recoil sensitive I would choose the 45-70 just because it is something different. It will stomp a deer.

You can get a BLR in common calibers.

35 Remington.
Kittery trading post has 2 right now. Cheapest is $400.

And that BLR comes in .450 marlin .358win&.325wsm.

I shoot a 45-70, no recoil when you're shooting a deer. Never lost a deer - they tend to drop where they're standing. All close shots like you described.

Sighting that thing in can leave a mark, though.

45-70 been using one for over 20 yrs.

35 Remington is really hard to beat. Hard to kill one "deader". 30-30 works fine. You might could find a short one 18" barrel, which is a handy little devil. 35 Remington, in my experience,... better than 30-30 and not as overkill as 45-70. Good round. 45-70 in something like a Guide Gun = Show Stopper at those ranges.

Best misunderstood and labeled "woods" round ever = .356 or.358 Winchester. Hands down. Bought the same up close but just not as limited with it as you can comfortably shoot a bit further.

Never owned a 30-30 but I do own a 45-70 and it flats kills the hell out of deer. Devastating round. Only had 1 deer run and I hit it bad, every other DRT.

To answer your question - 45-70 = stopping power.

There's a Savage 99 for sale on 24hourcampfire that's been converted to 358 Win. for $700. You're welcome!

Can't go wrong with either one for a brush gun. Both are great. It really just depends how much you want to pay for ammo. 45-70 is more expensive to feed but it is a hammer on deer. 3030 is a great brush too d too and is cheap to buy.

I believe I'm going to go with the 45-70. What ammo would y'all recommend?

Buffalo bore,Grizzly cartridge or Corbon

my son loves the hornady leverevolution in his nef .45-70 ...

300gr of course I prefer solid not hollow points. Preferred the Winchester but bought fusion last time. They are just as good

every body knows that there has been more deer killed with 30-30 than any other caliber !!!

In my .45-70 Handi-rifle, I also use the Hornady Leverevolution 325 grain FTX. Three holes touching at 100 yards and it does a great job on deer.
http://www.hornady.com/store/45-70-government-325-gr-ftx-leverevolution/

No one has said it yet and that prolly because it wasn't in the title but I would take a good look at the 444 as well.