The 45/70 is a great brush rifle, I've got a pair of H&R's, a carbon steel/wood stock with iron sights and a 22" barrel and a stainless/laminate stock with a scope and 24" barrel. The stainless is my current favorite rifle.
My only concern would be if you reload, if you don't reload at all it would be time to start, you'll want to start casting your own bullets as well, it takes the cost from dollers per round to pennies per round.
There's no need for full power rounds unless you're concerned about short range bears or something, a 405gr bullet is deadly even at very low speeds and much easier on the shoulder. A buddy of mine shot a moose this fall with his 45/70, the load was a hand cast 405gr bullet over 14gr of Unique, the moose dropped on the spot, the shot was from about 50yds.
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