Ever consider the Henry .45-70? I handled one at the local shop, they seem to be pretty nicely done. Better than the current crop of Remlins.
^^^This^^^
The new Henry 45-70 looks and handles nicely. And I like the new Tube Fed design, kinda like an old Marlin 22 mag tube feed.
I've seen a couple of new Rossi 45-70 that had problems at a LGS. The Lever got stuck in the down stroke and could not be cocked.
And if you want a Marlin, I'd buy one made before 2000. JMHO, though.