A) Shooting factory loads, then swapping up to some hot-rodded reloads (i.e. loads mentioned in your manual as "for Marlin leveractions" etc) is going to be an enlightening experience...with factory loads-loaded lightly in deference to trapdoor springfields-your recoil is light, VERY manageable, load up some 502grn bullets at nearly 2000fps and you're going to notice the difference...keep this in mind as you start reloading.

B)Cabela's used to have, I don't know about this year, but did last year-they had a 40th anniversary LEE reloading kit, very good kit, VERY VERY good price, has most of what you need to get started.

C)Great choice on gun/cartridge combo, I reason you will not be sorry with it...I WILL ask if it is the ported guide gun or is a new model? (or is it a really old model?) If it is one of the ported models, ALWAYS wear ear muffs when "plinking" with it, ESPECIALLY with .45-70+P loads (.45-70Marlin, .45-70Magnum, etc.)

D)There are light bullets available for it, they seem like they'd take the gun into the typical High Powered rifle classes, i.e. pushing a mid weight bullet to 2500+fps, bad idea in the .45-70, expecially in the guide gun, accuracy is terrible and retained energy is less than with the heavy hitters...Using a Marlin 1895Cowboy (LONG bbl) I send 502grn hard casts down to 800yrds at least once a month, I can get awesome groups, 2.5-3MOA at that range...I was lucky to get that accuracy at 100yrds with 325grn bullets.

E)It's hard to beat a good hardcast all lead bullet for hunting with the .45-70, when you get to rather high velocities, say much over 2000fps, or gaining on 2200+fps, your leading may start to get bad with "softer" hard casts, but don't be too concerned-they're AWESOME killing bullets, I use modified Keith type bullets from 410grns up to 535grns in my Guide Gun and my Cowboy, I've taken everything from jack rabbits to buffalo with these with OUTSTANDING results.