Haven't seen this years model but can say that until now the differences between the 45-70 Guide Gun and my 44 Mag. Marlin bought in '74 were the added weight and fewer rounds. Great guns and love both calibers. My own TC Contender 12", 45-70 has cleanly dropped every whitetail and groundhog it spoke to......but the # of stories, camps, adventures my own .44 holds secret can't be touched. Far from the most expensive, fancy rifle, but well loved, used and caressed. Love this rifle and it's still the first one I grab from the safe for so many things. Hand load all my rounds for everything and really don't know much either caliber won't shoot through.