So that it could be used as a main match rifle at anybody's range without sending them into a tizzy about target damage, I'm guessing? (I shoot a baby rolling block carbine in .45lc as a main match rifle.)
Before I settled on my Pedersoli, I looked into modifying a Danish RB in .43 Spanish by shortening the chamber and correcting headspace to take a customized .45-70 case for loading with a reduced length slug. There was a brass supplier that would cut down 500 cases into what would amount to a ".45-40 Government".
But by the time I added up all the cost, it was cheaper BY FAR to just buy the $800.00 Pedersoli carbine.
My intent was to replicate the Remington RB carbine the Navy used after the CW, although it was chambered in .50-40 (it shot a 385gr bullet under 45gr BP, total cartridge length 1.328 inches).
RCJ