The Browning High Wall BPCR is an excellent gun. It comes with a quality tang sight and globe front sight. It also is equipped with a Badger barrel,which is one of the best out there. A lady who shoots one at a monthly long range match near me finishes at or near the top regularly.
Sharps replicas run the gamut from cheap to pretty darn expensive. Pedersoli and Armi Sport both make replicas that cost around $1000. Quality on these varies a bit,but they are generally decent shooters. On the upper end,Shilo and C. Sharps,both in Montana,produce excellent Sharps rifles that are used by top shooters. These guns go for over $2000,and,unless you buy a used one or buy your way up the waiting list,the wait for one is about 4 years. You are able to specify exactly the type and caliber,though.
Other choices in .45-70 are Rolling Blocks and High Walls made by Pedersoli and Uberti,for around $1000. Remington is now reproducing their Rolling Blocks in the Custom Shop,for well over $2000.
Additional expense on rifles such as these is caused by the sights. Quality sights go from a low of $150 to high of over $400 for soule tang sights.
Factory ammo isn't cheap. Black Hills loaded with lead bullets runs about $20 for 20 rounds. Any Dillon above an Square Deal can be set up to load .45-70.
Bill
[This message has been edited by Bill Mitchell (edited September 14, 1999).]