thank you everyone for the sugestions...let me say this i am not a guru in ballistics or calibers...that is why i asked the question... as for the people who have never been in montana where i live thoose distances are not unheard of or uncommon...i do have a 30-06 bolt that i use but was looking in...

i am wondering which caliber to purchase...i know i want a lever action riffle but unsure of which caliber...i plan to hunt deer and elk with this riffle and looking at shooting a distance of 450-600yrds...i have been looking at a 45-70 and a 338 marlin i have shot the 45-70 but have many friends sa...