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[RedJack63]

Coastal South Carolina here.
Just picked up one of the Rossi RioGrande 45/70's.
Was in my local, sort of browsing for a "gun of all work", asking about used 30/30's.
I happened to mention liking the 45/70 and the fellow behind the counter placed temptation squarely in my path.
I hadn't really intended to buy that day but he pulled up the listing for the Rio and made me a price I couldn't refuse.
So I ordered the gun and a couple boxes of the old Remington 405grain load. It's a bit mild, but I'm intimately familiar with it.
I've owned three different Marlin 45/70's over the years including one guide gun, and a semi-vintage Remington Rolling Block.
When the gun arrived I was favorably impressed with the looks of the piece and the trigger pull made me happy immediately. I took it to the house, broke it down and cleaned off a burr or two. Also I did some work on the loading gate. *lol* I like the ends of my fingers, and it was sharp enough to use as a backup weapon.
I have a vintage Lyman All American 4x to go on top of it at some point, but for now I dropped an NCStar Tac 3 4x32 {complete with silly zombie reticle} onto the rail. It's goofy, but it works and it's quick. And if something awful happens to it I won't cry any tears.
With this combo the Rio shot well {touching holes} at 25 yards, which is what I had available at the moment. Lighter and better balanced than the Marlins, I noticed the handling differences but didn't really notice the recoil difference.
"Gun of all work" means it has to survive through living behind the seat of my truck, or a scabbard on the forks of the old trailbike, or schlepped through a danged swamp. Pig hunts, deer seasons, or anything else I may need it to do. A bored out 336 should be just about perfect for this.

[akuser47]

welcome glad to have you please report your findings with you rg

[Ranch Dog]

Welcome RedJack to Rio Grande land. I have the 45-70 Govt model as well and have really taken a shine to it and it is what you want it to be. I shoot mine with the Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5X32 and it claimed it's share of feral hogs and South Texas whitetails within the first few weeks of ownership. Liked it so much I ended up buying two of the 30-30s, turning one into a 38-55 Win.

[RedJack63]

Welcome RedJack to Rio Grande land. I have the 45-70 Govt model as well and have really taken a shine to it and it is what you want it to be. I shoot mine with the Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5X32 and it claimed it's share of feral hogs and South Texas whitetails within the first few weeks of ownership. Liked it so much I ended up buying two of the 30-30s, turning one into a 38-55 Win.

Yeah, I pored over your posts on the 38/55 Win conversion...Tempting.
And I envy you your pig harvesting opportunities.
I've been a 45/70 devotee since I bought my first one.. I think I was 19 at the time.
I'm holding off on posting results till I try some handloads... Well... Providing I can find some components in the current market. I have been contemplating going over to cast bullets, but the real bottleneck{at least right now} is primers.
My old load, which is ingrained in my memory, {[CYA Section]quoted for reference only} was..
37 grains of 3031
CCI Large Rifle Primer
405 grain Speer bullet
Remington fired brass.

Which I think everyone will note is not exactly a barn burner. But it is reliable, consistent, and has shot good groups in three Marlins, a Remington RB, and a BFR revolver. I am however thinking I would like to replace the 405grn JSP with a 400 to 500grn cast bullet. Depending on the viability of the OAL in this rifle.
*grin*
Not a big "lighter bullet going faster" proponent for the uses I want this gun for. I have other rifles to do that with.
'Sides... I like "running 'em over with a Buick" as a friend of mine said.