Yeah- hear you - years ago, pre-safety, I had a .444 and .45/70 1895. Both rifles would shoot 1 1/4" to 1 1/2", 3-shot groups at 100 meters with top-end loads. The .444 did 2,200fps with 300's from all three US manufacturers and the .45/70 did 2,100fps with 350's Hornady RN's (before the FN).

Missed it so much, I just bought another .45/70 - it's close, but no cigar. I re-model on the stock (or re-stock) and re-checkering is in order. It shoots OK, but not as well - yet.