Gentlemen, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the old 45-70 in a good rifle when used for what it was designed to do! IMO, the problem is with those who want to make the old war horse something it is not! IMO It is not a good choice for DANGEROUS GAME HUNTING! Will it take dangerous game? deffinetly it will, but is the best choice if one has as an alternative a real DGR?, NO it is not!
I wish guys would simply start useing the fine old cartridge for what it does best, and that is give the owner a lot of fun shooting, and puts a lot of meat on the hunter's table.
I've done a lot of hunting with a Ruger No1 45-70, and Saiamese Mauser 45-70, and double rifle 45-70, and a mod 1895 Marlin 45-70, and still own the Marlin, the double rifle, and the Ruger No1, but when I get into the weeds with a cape buffalo, give me that little weak 450/400NE 3" double rifle every time!