Why Is It Called .45-70 Government?

The “government” in .45-70 Govt. comes from the fact that this cartridge was designed for and by the U.S. government as a military round. It came about in 1873 as a replacement for the larger .50-70 Government and brought improved accuracy and reliability to military applications. While the .45-70 Govt. didn’t have a long service life, it stuck around as a commercial hunting and defense round. It has undergone some changes since its inception, most notably, moving from black powder to smokeless powder, but the “government” in its name has remained.

What Is .45-70 Govt. Used For?

The .45-70 Government is most popular as a hunting round, especially in dense brush or when going after larger prey. You can find .45-70 subsonic ammo to quietly take down deer or opt for a higher-velocity round when looking for the best .45-70 ammo for bear. Many people also enjoy taking their lever-actions out on the range. There is plenty of .45-70 target ammo available delivering reliable feeding, reloadable casings, and a lower price per round. Some people may appreciate the caliber’s stopping power as a self-defense cartridge, too, although there are trade-offs with penetration and using a lever-action for personal defense.

Is .45-70 Govt. Good for Deer?

Some hunters consider the .45-70 Government overkill for whitetail deer, as its large bullet can result in a good deal of lost meat. However, with the right shot placement, it can be a great deer cartridge, especially when shooting in a dense forest where you may need to shoot through brush. The best .45-70 ammo for deer will feature a soft, expanding tip and a higher muzzle velocity to ensure a flat, accurate trajectory and clean kill.

How Does .45-70 Govt. Stack Up vs. 30-30 Winchester?

The .45-70 vs. 30-30 is an age-old debate, as these cartridges are arguably the most associated with lever-action rifles. In general, the .45-70 Govt. packs a bigger punch, so it may be ideal when taking down large game, but the .30-30 Winchester is better at range and may be easier to manage, given its lesser felt recoil. You can learn more about how these cartridges compare in our full .45-70 Govt. vs. .30-30 Winchester ammo face-off.

How Does .45-70 Govt. Stack Up vs. .30-06 Springfield?

The .45-70 Govt. also often gets compared to the .30-06 Springfield, given both cartridges’ popularity as hunting rounds. The big difference in the .45-70 vs. .30-06 debate is that .45-70 Govt. is a straight-walled, rimmed cartridge, while .30-06 Springfield is rimless, so they’re designed for different types of rifles. Go with the former if you prefer lever-actions and the latter if you’re more of a fan of conventional bolt-action or semi-automatic rifles. In terms of ballistics, the .45-70’s bigger, heavier bullet will do a better job of punching through thick cover at shorter ranges, while the .30-06 will maintain more energy at longer distances, making it better for longer-range shooting.

45-70 Govt Ammo

Shop .45-70 Government Ammo Online — The Best Lever-Action Ammo for the Right Price

First produced all the way back in 1873, the .45-70 Government is one of the most popular lever-action calibers around. Despite being such an old cartridge, the .45-70’s ballistics are no joke, with muzzle energy regularly reaching above 2,000 ft-lbs and its 0.458-inch bullet packing quite a punch.

Whether you’re looking to load up your big bore rifle to hunt big game or building a tactical lever-action for self-defense, GunMag Warehouse has the right .45-70 ammo for you. Shop from top brands like Hornady and Barnes, and take advantage of low prices and regular sales to stock up without breaking the bank.

Check out our selection of .45-70 hunting ammo to take down elk or bear, or shop our range of .45-70 target ammunition to spend a day of cowboy action shooting at the range. Whatever you need, we have it in stock and ready to ship.

Stock up today and never overpay for .45-70 Government ammo again.