I hear ya on the .45-70, a gun that I don't own.....the .458lott is kin to the .45-120, very close from what I've read, so in some sense its getting back to buffalo variety from back in the day.

I figure of them all the .458 lott is perhaps the most similar to the .45-70, though certainly amped up, ie like a .45-120, which is I guess 50grs of more powder....maybe the .375H&H is the most similar in bullet size/power....to the .45-70 though.

From what I've heard/read it sounds like bigger and slower is a better combination than faster and lighter....one reason I'm considering a rifle aside from the .340wby, or perhaps loading it up with 275 or 300gr.