I convinced my wife that my gun safe was getting under utilized and that I needed to add a new rifle. I'm looking for a gun that I can use to hunt with - being in Utah I'd like to use it on Deer, Elk, and if all goes well an ocassional (out of state) black bear hunt. Now I'm smart enough to know that if I put a 45 caliber slug through the boiler room of any critter - I'm going to be punching my tag. What I'm not smart enough to know is what the practical hunting range is of these cartridges.

So I've got a few questions for you all:
45-70 vs. 45-90 vs. 45-110 -> What are pratical hunting ranges for these cartridges when loaded with blackpowder and smokeless powder?
I'm not a recoil sensitive guy, but I'm partial to being able to use my right shoulder after shooting - how bad is the recoil of the two larger cartridges?
Here's a can of worms for you: '74 Sharps vs Highwall any particular advantages to one or the other (I prefer the looks of the Sharps)?
Last but not least, due to cost I'll likely end up with one of the Spanish or Itallion reproductions - How do these imports compare with one another?
Thanks - It's been a long time since I last posted here, but if it hasn't changed I know I'll get some good answers