Daryl,

I am completely open at this point. I don't need to decide on the chambering unitl next January. That is the principal reason I opened this thread to get everyone's view. I know shotguns and traditional bolt guns pretty well but DRs are new to me. It will be used for NA game. I welcome all views and opinions on this project. I just picked 45-70 because it was what I knew not because I had critically examined it against other options. So please everyone give me your opinions on this. I will reload anyway so it really doesn't matter much if it is off the self or not. I am neither a metallurgist nor a mechanical engineer but I think the modern 4340 chrome moly steel receiver I am making can withstand considerable pressure and not fail. So, lets change the title from "Optimun load for a 45-70" to "Optimum chambering and load for a 45 caliber". Views please.

I will add one more wrinkle for those of you who are metallurists or mechanical engineers or just have a view. The receiver you see above will be my prototype. I will make the actual receiver I use from this prototype. I have both chrome moly 4340 steel and 4AL-6V titanium as raw stock to work from. I intend to make the 20 ga shotgun from the titanium. I could make the DR from it as well. I think the titanium has better mechanical properties for the receiver (springs back from severe blows and high tensile strengh)but is 55% lighter. I presumed I needed the weight of the steel to get a 8.5 to 9 lb. DR. Again your views are appreciated.---Bill