i have a #1 ss/laminate in 45/70.i wanted something to fill the gap between my 444 marlin and my 50 alaskan.when i bought it the previous owner had already had it magna-ported,[actually slotted not just drilled full of holes]and had a trigger job done.i have a couple of other #1's,i love them.i was a little frustrated at first with this one,trying to get an accurate load worked up took some time.eventually though through,stubborness,bruises and a lot of swearin',i reached nirvana,well sorta lol.this 45/70 will make pretty little clover leaves at 100 yds with cast bullet loads.not trapdoor loads either,quite heavy substantial loads.i can't remember the actual ballistics,i do know that the loads are a little under max,using 4198 and a 425 cast bullet.max loads were not as accurate.i plan on carrying this one this fall for whitetail hunting up here in ny.
as far as the throat length, that issue could be easily resolved by a compitant gunsmith and a chamber reamer,mild minimally invasive surgery.
you can't go wrong with the #1 as far as i am concerned.
