I think if I were only going to have one gun, it would be the Encore, not the G2. However, that is not the case and I have the #1 pictured above. It is short and handy. It is quick to point and I shoot it with confidence. To me it is a perfect woods gun. I use a wrist cartride holder for followups and reloading goes quite fast though seldom really needed. I do feel wanting when I'm hunting a 600acre clearcut, that's when I grab my 30-06AI.
Personally, I love my #1. I'd like to have a G2, but it would be in the pistol configuration. I think that shooting a 6/7mmTCU would be a blast.
Lessons learned on 45/70: for most game the moderate load is plenty. I've shot the full bore 405's before, no thank you. A moderate load with bulk 300g Rem. HPs will take care all my hunting. Tried 300 Barnes Orig Spire Points, look cool but not worth the $$$.
tjg