Whether handloading or shooting factory ammunition the 44 will be cheaper to shoot, not sure how much that will affect your decision.
How much rifle weight do you want to carry around?
Also I have no clue about recoil of the little 44s but if you are recoil sensitive I would think with anything other than mild Trapdoor loads the 45-70 would have more recoil.
I don't know 100% how trajectories compare but that could be another consideration if you have places where you need to stretch out a little bit if the 45-70 does shoot flatter.
Pretty sure there isn't a deer around that would know the difference if shot within 150 yards.
