Great discussion, Pards!
As in any hobby, there are some buzzwords that cover whatever the speaker wants to say, in CAS we see "...in the Spirit of the Game..." as one that has a lot of intent. In other Shooting Sports it might be "...be sure you have enough gun..." or something of that ilk. In Traditional Archery the phrase "Become The Arrow..." adds a Zen concept to the hobby by tasking the Archer to think where his Arrow is going to hit. How we apply various techniques adds to the overall enjoyment of the hobby, but many are 'natural' if only we allow them to be.
At the range next time try this: with targets set at 15, 25 & 50 yards for Revolver or Shotgun, 50, 75 & 100 for Rifle, take a shooting stance you like with your firearm held at your waist, close your eyes, open them and raise your firearm at the same time keeping your eyes on the target and as soon as the sights line up, shoot. Close your eyes and repeat the sequence at the other two targets. The first time you may not do well, but after a few rounds you'll notice a big improvement and how smooth and easy the flow has become.
Anthropologists claim this is a basic heriditary technique we inherited from our Hunter-Gatherer days eons ago; seek the food and harvest it. Some modern Sportsmen call the technique 'snap shooting' others 'instinctive shooting', I prefer to go with the latter.
Now think about it for a second, if you take your time and hold on aim you may or may not hit the target as you have taken a long time to acquire it allowing your instincts to relax. If you use the technique in Primitive (Stick & String) or Traditional (Recurve) Archery, you would knock an arrow, hold the bow at the ready at your waist, close your eyes, open, acquire the target while raising the bow and releasing the arrow in one smooth move. it WILL hit the target!
I know many of you probably use this method in various Shooting Sports such as Skeet, Trap, IPSC, etc., it has many names and many forms and they all work. In relation to this topic a 45/70 is the best all-around caliber to go with for all the reasons mentioned above, in addition, it can be used in the 'instinctive' manner far easier than heavier calibers. At the last CVR Big Bore Shoot they had a 'Bulls Eye' event where we shot off-hand at paper targets 100 yards out. OK, no big deal for a High Power rifle with a sling, etc., but take a 45/90 and try this off-hand with a gusting wind 10-15 mph coming over your right shoulder and it adds a degree of difficulty you hadn't planned on. Did I hit it? Proud to say I did with a Pedersoli 45/70, actually had 2 side-by-side hits in the Bull but missed a bunch, just plain dumb luck perhaps, but the technique does work; look at the target, raise the rifle, acquire the target through the sights and fire.
Give it a try and I think you'll be surprised how well you do with any firearm. Go with the 45/70 and you'll not be sorry, if you don't like it for any reason, the resale value is far higher than any other caliber and it'll go fast.
Best regards and good shooting!
'Ol Gabe
Proud Family Sponsor of the CVR STRAND'S STAND MID & LONG RANGE SHOOT, June 23-25 & August 18-20, Prairie Fire Range, Ackley, Iowa. Hope to see you on the Firing Line!