I don't agree with the Marlin statement, either, 9.3. The 22" barrels have good weight and the short guide gun, with 400gr. at 2,000fps or a bit more, is completely controllable - especially for someone who can shoot a .458 Win Mag accurately. Actually, in comparrison, the .45/70 has moderate recoil. Reduce recoil easily by reducing bullet weight - 350gr.bullets kick less than 400's and the 300gr. Nosler will kick less and outpenetrate most all weights that will expand reliably from the .45/70 - except maybe 9.3's 402gr. HP. It matches most .375 bullets - even the Swift A-frames, but then, so does the 405gr. RP at factory velocities.