I bought mine for more than that: the reason I bought mine was twofold: 1 I wanted a 'trailer gun' that I could take anywhere and defend myself against all predators 4 legged or two...
Secondly b/c of the tradition and the adaptability of the 45-70...
...The sights are decent: I'm going to buy a ghost ring. I am also having a friend instal a Weaver rail on the magazine (plenty of thickness!!!) so I can mount a flashlight. This will be the best trailer gun I can imagine until I can afford an M1A
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First, congratulations on your GBL! I bought mine for essentially the same reasons (it'll take anything in the western hemisphere).
Mine gets most use across the forks of my ATV when I'm prospecting the high desert around my ranch and will also be with me if, at my age, I'm fortunate enough to make another trip to the Alaskan bush or Central American jungle.
Personally (meaning "my" personal preference - you should do as your experience tells you to do), I find the ghost ring to be esthetically and practically NOT a sight I want on my GBL. It's simply TOO DANG BIG!! My GBL wears a Williams gallows peep sight. If I want to "make it into an "instant ghost ring" all I have to do is unscrew the aperture and "
voila" it IS a ghost ring and the eye will automatically center on it. And, of course it doesn't stick up above the receiver to snag on anything and everything and it isn't made of plastic.
May I make a suggestion? The real "Hammer of Thor" effect delivered by the 45-70 is because of Big Bullets. Some 40 years ago I decided the 45-70 shoots better and performs better for me with 405 grain cast bullets. I do not use lighter bullets. YMMV, but the big ones tend to drop the game in its tracks if I do my part. And the "flatter trajectory" offers by light bullets is IMO imaginary for all intent and purposes. My load with 405 grain bullets is effective for me out to 225 yards, and with my Sharps, amazingly accurate out to 650 yards and more. (but the Sharps wears a high quality Soule tang sight and a spirit level globe front sight).
Again, congratulations on your GBL. I know how much mine means to me and if you're only half as pleased with yours, you'll still be way ahead of the game.
Oh, one last comment... I have an M1A SOCOM16. In any urban area my preferred rifle would be the 1895 Marlin. My RV gun is a 12ga Coach Gun.