"You don't need a lot of velocity to get super penetration as the 45-70 with modest velocity recently killed two Cape buffalo with one shot. With Non expanding bullets or even hard cast bullets, the best penetration takes place at velocities of 1600- 2000 fps. In tests by Corbon, the 45-70 out penetrated the 458 Win, the 458 Lott and the 460 Weatherby with the same bullet."

This is absolutely true, and while I have no real intention of shooting a Cape Buff with ANY cartridge, I do have a 400-grain load, which from my Ruger No. 1 .45/70gives 2270 FPS and over 4500 Ft/Lb of energy, about 300 Ft/Lb GREATER than a .375 H&H factory 300-grain load. And with the Barnes Original 400-grain semispitzer, this load shoots flatter than a .30/30.

(I recall a test run a couple of years ago in which several British "Nitro-express rounds were compared to the .45/70 for penetration. .45 cal. 480-grain jacketed factory-loaded "solids" were used in the British rifles, at a MV in the2150-2250 FPS range. A 500-grain hard cast flatnose bullet was launched from the .45/70 at a MV of 1550 FPS. The .45/70 outpenetrated all the British express riflesby several inches or more each! Now, if one were to use a hard-cast 500 grainer from the express rifles at a MV of 1550 FPS, they would no doubt do as well as the .45/70..... BUT they'd need more powder to do it, since their case voolumes are cavernous compared to the little ol' .45/70.