I don’t care how big the plate is I’ll do +1 MOA with that set up. Even with these old eyes. Practice, practice, practice.
So, you're telling me you would have no problem hitting a 5-inch target at 250 yards with your Marlin lever action in .357 with factory irons? That would definitely earn you some bragging rights.
And, 400 yds on an 8 inch plate with the 45-70 with just your average 4x hunting scope with plain duplex reticle is definitely worth a gold star. Me? I have to have a gridline reticle or adjustable turret (with ALOT of adjustment) to do it. That's a huge amount of drop at that distance.