I've taken several whitetails with the 45-70,,,but honestly, it's been both lead and jacketed. The 'jacketed's were remingtons cheap but good,,jacketed 405's...but thats a gone deal,,since im all teh way black powder now. I have killed two with 65gr and 500 gr lead. I was just curious about what ya'll thought the 405 might give ya extra on range,,but again,,,of the heap of deer iv killed here in the mountains,,I rarely shoot one over 75 yrds,,most of the time,,not even that. So, its a moot point i suppose,,if I get a carbine,,I will prob try the 405,55gr,,but in rifle,,,the 500, 65 gr is what I'll likely use again this year. It's got all the range I need,,but the 405 , 55 gr might make a carbine a wee bit more user friendly,,,
..but again,,for hunting,,I never minded stiff recoil anyways. (I turkey hunt with a modern howitzer ,,,kinda,sorta,,,,I hate to mention 'what' on a historic forum) ,,suffice to say,,it'll kill'em at 70yards. And NO, I do not give mercy to tom turkeys...deer meeeybee,,never to a gobbler.
Anyways,,thanks for the carbine advice,,I suppose the first step is to GET a carbine,,but I love the 45-70...might even fall in love with this 50-70,,,will just have to wait and see.
MD