Old Maine Hunter. You and me both. I love my NEF 45-70. I also have one in 44 Magnum and 280 Remington. I had one in 223 that was stolen from my truck. I have also had the 30-06 243 ultra and 30-30. I shoot a mild load in the 45-70 for close range deer and plinking which is 13.0 grains of Unuque with a magnum rifle primer. This load is easy on the shoulder and sighted dead on at 25 yards its about 2 1/2 inches low at 100 yards. Thats with a 405 grain bullet. The same charge works with the 300 grain bullet but is not as consistant over the chronogragh. That 405 grain load is shooting about 1150 fps and is VERY consistant.