["yote"]

ONEBADAPPLE, just go and handle both rifles. Check out how much more solid the Marlin feels. Look at how much more steel
is in the receiver. Everyone of my Marlins has out shot every
Win-94 that I have ever owned or shot against. As far as sights
goes, go back and look at the pics of my 45/70. That Williams
sight goes for about $35-$40. Plus, if you want a scope, you can
bolt it right on the receiver. The Marlin comes factory tapped for
the Williams sight. Here's a look at the other side of the Williams
peep.

P.S. I would skip the 450 Marlin and go with the 45/70.
True, the 450 beats the 45/70 in FACTORY loadings. That is
because the factories don't know what kind of old gun that
their ammo is going into. The Marlins are modern, strong guns
and I have been able to match factory 450 loads without too
much trouble.
Three of my favorites for my 45/70:
300g HDY HP, 59g H4198 for 2400fps.
350g HDY JRN, 53.5g H4198 for 2175fps. * This load beats factory
450 loads by 75fps.
400g Speer JFP, 50g H4198 for 2020fps.

Just because they add a belt to the case doesn't always make it
better.