I have Traditions Lightning Bolts (2000 and 2001) and they are almost the same as the Long Distance You are seeing. The bolt action is a great one in my opinion. Here is my sweet one with a fluted nickel finish.



I have looked at rhe 45s before and I think $180 is a good deal. First check your state to see if they allow a 45 caliber for hunting I know of some states in the past if you went Elk hunting you had to use 50 caliber and up. Bullets are out there if you think outside of muzzleloading for instance you can use 180 Nosler partition hollowpoints intended for the .357 mag pistol, Hornady 200gr XTP 40cal bullet, using the harvester company's crushed ribbed sabot, 195 grain aerotip powerbelt , T/C Arms and Hornady list a 200gr, 40cal spire-point, flat based bullet in a 40/45cal sabot, the choices are endless. Those are a few I was going to try, but never bought the 45. I hunt in heavy timber and need a good close shooting gun, a 45 can get you way out there. Here is a good read on 45s and what they were getting using their bullets of course but a good test.

http://muzzleloadingbullets.com/2002_caribou_hunt.html

If it fits in a 45 caliber sabot I would try it.