Out to maybe 100 yards, the two may do an equal job of making meat, but the already rainbow arcing 45-70 is already out shot for accuracy potential well within that. The 06 can shoot varminting projectiles very efficiently, and is used for long range shooting out into the hundreds of yard. The punishment to the shoulder with the 45-70 with heavier loads to stretch the range are absolutly brutal, even compared to heavy 06 round. Versatility wise, there is no comparison. That said, I prefer my Browning 1885 45-70 to an 06 because I am limited to woodland shooting distances.