I love hunting with my 1885 in 45-70. Nice and trim, easy to carry. I hunt with the chamber loaded and the hammer down. An unloaded rifle is the most useless creation you can have in your hands, next to an unloaded handgun...only because your reach is better with an unloaded rifle.

"This duty fell upon me and was the worst job I ever had in my life.
I have known men I would rather shoot than the worst of dogs."

Frank Wild
Second in Command
Endurance 1914-1916