I have one in 38-55, not 45-70. A really fine gun, I picked the caliber over 45-70 because I wanted to shoot it allot and not have to worry about allot of recoil. I am not a wimp or anything, but sitting down to shoot 20 or more rounds of hot 45-70 just didn't make me very excited. The 38-55 kicks about like a 30-30 so no problem there with recoil. I think the extra price comes from the octagon barrel and the extra length. Mine has nicer wood and checkering and I think the metal finish on the cowboys is better than the standard rifle.

Does the increased length help with accuracy? In my opinion, yes it does and in two ways. First, the extra length allows the powder to burn fully and gives the bullet a longer ride down the barrel (there is allot of powder in these rounds). Secondly, it gives you a longer sight radius. That has to help.

On mine, set up for CAS long range matches, I have a Marble's tang sight and a globe front sight installed. No problem at all hitting steel plates to 300 yards. The gun is an absoloute tack driver and I have won several matches with it. I handload and have some thumper rounds made, hopefully I'll shoot a deer or a pig with one this year.

Hank