Merry Christmas Fred ---
I also certainly intend no flame, and have read a lot of your knowlegable posts and certainly respect your perspective, but I have to add there are lots of positive reasons for getting a buffalo classic in 45-70.
A lot of us like big bores, from the hunting point of view a big bore has its own merits at its end of the scale, just as a small bore with high velocity has its advantages. I doubt many would argue about the ability of a slower 12 ga slug to stop a miserable bear in its tracks compared to the small bore fast light bullet, slower but biggar does certainly work in the field.
Myself I enjoy working up accurate reloads and especially focus on traditional paper patching cast bullets with smokeless and black, something that the big bores are much more accomodating to. The BC certainly likes paper patch bullets -- at a fraction of the cost of a Sharps, rolling block or highwall. Or if reloading / working up loads - is not your cup of tea, then readily available factory loads are certainly adequate. Also the 45-70 is truely a flexible cartridge for reloading different power / recoil levels, if you are recoil sensitive. Adding a recoil pad, weight in stock, heavy scope etc can help with that issue. Is the 45-70 out dated ?? -- thats just a matter of opinion --- I do like nostalga, but certainly it is a popular powerfull accurate cartridge capable of shooting up to 300+ yards if you know your trajectory and range.
Bought my Buf. Classic just over a year ago and it is truely one of my favorite rifles. And certainly the 45-70 is one of my favorite cartridges.
Just my two cents -- as an added note to my fellow Canucks -- its worth it to buy another rifle just to pi** off the anti-gun Liberals.

Everyone -- especialy Fred and McLernon -- merry christmas and happy new year.

Safe shooting and hunting --- Bob.