If you like Big Bore barrels you will like the 45-70. I have a 14" TC Hunter. It is actually 12" I think with a 2" break. I wanted a 45-70 to extend my range a little on deer and hogs over my 45LC Ruger Blackhawk. I have never shot a factory round so I can't compair them. I load my own cause I also shoot a 45-70 Sharps Shiloh 30" barrel.
In my Contender I load a 300grn Sierra JHP with 37grns of IMR4198 w/Fed 210 Primer in Remington Brass. It moves along at 1400fps which is not a speed demon but it hits like a sledgehammer. I have taken two whitetail with it at 80 & 120yds and it was boom, whack, and a thud when they hit the ground. I was just out shooting a couple of my deer woods rigs yesterday and I would compair my 45-70 load to the recoil of my 45LC 8" Ruger Blackhawk. Not unpleasant but a little loud with the break. You will like it and like the others said, you can heat them up and shoot whatever you can stand if you want. Good luck on making a choice.
Mike