Since I posted this article I have revised my opinion of the .45-70 in the TC guns; I now have not only a ten inch TC Contender but also a new TC Encore with both ten and twelve inch Bullberry barrels all chambered in .45-70. I find that I don’t want to shoot full tilt factory ammo (nor do I want to shoot top end book loads for the Ruger No. 1) However, the Hornady Sixth Edition reloading manual has a section on .45-70 in the TC; this seems to be the right data for those rather small guns. 300 grain JHP’s over 35 grains IMR 4198 is just right. Fairly accurate at 50 yards, and will shoot inside 4 inches at 100 yards.
I also have the 20" 500 S&W Katahdin rifle barrel for the Encore. A 325 gr Gold Dot smacks your shoulder pretty hard. Accuracy leaves something to be desired too. The 28" Pro Hunter in 30-06 is shooting sub MOA at 100 yards. Much more pleasant to shoot and more accurate. I have a Boyd's thumbhole stock and beavertail forend for that configuration. It is topped with a 10x Bushnell 3200 scope.
I'm inclined to favor rifles in .22, .30 and .45 caliber. That allows loading multiple cartridges on a variety of brass. The 100 gr Plinker bullet is pleasant to shoot out of a 30-30, .308 or 30-06. A 200 gr FN plays just fine in 45Auto, 45LC, 454 Casull and 460 S&W. A carefully selected .22 can serve for .223 or 5.7x28.