i'm leaning towards the 45/70. something for a beginner was just a hopeful bonus and not a requirement with this purchase.

i wasn't sure at first so called h&r last week and was told that the frame (SB2) that these calibers are built on can can be fitted with a .357 barrel. you send in the frame and they fit the barrels to your frame. it seems some people purchase barrels but they may or may not fit the frame properly. it's very likely i will get the .357 barrel but you know how things go sometimes.