Gunmagopedia: 45-70 Government

The 45-70 Government is a straight-walled cartridge perhaps best known for its part in Old West history. This is the cartridge of lever guns, cowboys, and lawmen. Of course, it’s also a relevant round in modern times, which is why we’re taking a deep dive into its history and use. Here’s how the 45-70 Government came into being and evolved and why we think it’s here to stay.

Contents

The Company Behind the Cartridge
45-70 Government Background
Did the military use 45-70 Government?
Is the 45-70 Government a long-range round?
Can 45-70 Government be used for hunting?
Can you use 45-70 Government for personal defense?
45-70 Government Specifications
Available loads for 45-70 Government
45-70 Government Firearm Manufacturers
Barrels for 45-70 Government
Frequently Asked Questions

The Company Behind the Cartridge

We actually have the military to thank for the creation of the 45-70 Government. This cartridge was designed for military use by the U.S. Springfield Armory in 1872 and entered production in 1873. The Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor rifle was the first to be made for the cartridge. It was created for the purpose of replacing the 50-70 Government, which went into use by the military at the end of the Civil War. Obviously, the 50-70 Government didn’t last long, and even the 45-70 Government didn’t remain in service for an impressive length of time.

The 45-70 Government went through a few stages with its designation. It was referred to as the 45-70-405 and 45 Government, among others. If you’re curious where the “405” part of the former designation came from, it was related to the fact that the original bullet was 405 grain.

So, at its start, the 45-70 Government was quite literally created by…the government. The U.S. Springfield Armory was the forerunner of military technology and manufacturing related to firearms for almost 200 years, and today the old building serves as a museum.

45-70 Government Background

When the 45-70 Government went into production in 1873, it was immediately chambered in rifles for military use. The Springfield Model 1873 was the first commonly-issued 45-70, but nowhere near the last. In fact, it took no time at all for the cartridge to gain popularity for public use. Some of the early rifles chambered in 45-70 Government included the Winchester Model 1885, Marlin Model 1881, and the famed Marlin Model 1895.

Aside from this round’s use by countless cowboys and outlaws in the Wild West, it was also used in the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, and the Philippine-American War. And while reports state it was and is accurate to 600 yards in the hands of a skilled marksman, they tend to neglect to mention the significant drop rate. Nevertheless, the fact remains that the 45-70 Government is one of the few cartridges to successfully make the transition from black powder to modern smokeless powder.

This is one of those unique cartridges that can rightly claim to have won fame both through military use and use by the general public in the Wild West. Not every gun owner realizes the 45-70 Government got its start as a military round, but most are at least passingly familiar with its use in the Wild West.

Did the military use 45-70 Government?

Yes, the 45-70 Government was used by our nation’s military. It was specifically created for military use to transition the U.S. Army away from the 50-70 Government, which was basically being used as a stopgap round. With the 45-70 Government the military gained greater accuracy and function.

The cartridge was first used in the Indian Wars in the late 1800s. Out of the Springfield Trapdoor rifle, the 45-70 Government was a flatter shooting round than most of its predecessors, and fairly accurate, too. Interestingly, it wasn’t only used in standard-issue rifles by the U.S. Army. The U.S. Navy also utilized the straight-walled cartridge in the Gatling Gun, which was mounted on various warships. As far as ammunition goes, it played a key role in history.

Is the 45-70 Government a long-range round?

Generally speaking, the 45-70 Government isn’t what most modern shooters would consider a long-range round. It did extend range and flatten trajectory at the time of its invention, but as technology advanced, it was surpassed by other cartridges.

This is where the Sandy Hook Trials of 1879 come in. These shooting trials involved the 45-70 Government and its effective range, and the results were admittedly impressive. According to the “Report of the Secretary of War, 1880, Volume III,” in the chapter titled “Extreme Ranges of Military Small Arms,” one of the more remarkable moments was when the 45-70 Government was used to hit a target more than a mile away:

“The firing was done by Mr. R.T Hare of Springfield Armory who has the enviable distinction, so far as is known, of being the only person in the world who has hit the ‘Bull’s-Eye’ six feet in diameter at 2,500 yards with three different rifles, and who has ever fired at and hit so small a target as that described in this report at 3,200 yards.

In comparison with this, all other so-called ‘long range firing’ pales into insignificance. The gun was held under the arm, a muzzle rest only being used.”

45-70 Government was frequently stated in its early years as being effective at 1000 yards (and sometimes even claimed to be effective past 3000 yards). This has more to do with potential wounding effect in battle than it does the kind of ethical shots hunters make using the cartridge today. The answer to whether the 45-70 Government is a long-range round depends on the era you’re basing the question on. In short, it’s not a great long-range round, but when it was new it did better than most.

Can 45-70 Government be used for hunting?

The 45-70 Government is a popular hunting cartridge among hunters who choose to chase game with lever-action rifles. It’s quite effective on all manner of game such as whitetail deer, feral hogs, and antelope. There are quite a few levers on the market specifically geared toward hunters, some of which retain the classic wooden stock appearance and others that are made for a more modern, tactical look. This is a cartridge that’s been used for hunting across three centuries.

This cartridge has an ethically effective range on game animals of about 150 yards. The exact effective range is affected by the rifle, load, and the animal being hunted. Due to the significant wound cavities this round is capable of creating, it tends to be a good idea not to use it for closer-range hunting where saving meat rather than losing it to bullet damage is a concern. That said, it’s a stellar cartridge for deer, and one many hunters rely on.

Game, varmints, and predators the 45-70 Government can be used on includes (but is not limited to):

• Coyotes
• Feral hogs
• Whitetail deer
• Pronghorn antelope
• Aoudad
• Black bear
• Blacktail deer
• Axis deer
• Javelina

It’s also possible to use 45-70 Government on animals like moose and elk as long as you are familiar with the capabilities of your specific setup and your own skills. It has also been successfully used on grizzly bears.

Can you use 45-70 Government for personal defense?

It might come as a surprise, but lever actions and the 45-70 Government do have uses for self-defense. Levers chambered in 45-70 Government are usually used as truck guns or brush guns rather than for home defense, but they can absolutely do it all. In fact, it’s entirely possible to use a 45-70 for rapid fire and on targets at greater distances, with accuracy.

The use of a 45-70 Government for self-defense is a personal choice. As with any firearm, it requires practice and familiarity with the setup and your own skillset. It’s also wise to remember that while any bullet can over-penetrate the target, certain rounds do present a greater over-penetration risk. This means that while 45-70 Government can be used for defensive applications, you must be aware of the pros and cons. You are responsible for every bullet you send down range.

Regarding the related topic of using a lever-action rifle for self-defense, keep in mind that back in the day levers were all that was available (that and revolvers). Although levers have gone out of fashion for many gun owners, they’re well-made guns capable of impressive performance. It just takes some trigger time and getting used to them. And thanks to the many advances in technology, it is now possible to easily mount a red dot to your lever so you’re not depending on irons alone.

45-70 Government Specifications

Available loads for 45-70 Government

There are quite a few loads available for the 45-70 Government, so whether you’re hunting, shooting paper targets, or interested in home defense, there’s ammunition available. Here are a few of the options:

Hornady LEVERevolution

Features

• Flex Tip technology for improved ballistic coefficient.
• Optimized for shock-absorbing safety in a tubular magazine.
• Super muzzle velocity when compared to other loads with standard loading pressures.
• Fantastic terminal performance on target.
• Produces up to 40 percent more energy on target than traditional flat-nose bullets.

From Hornady: “LEVERevolution represents a breakthrough in ammo design for lever action rifles and revolvers. The key to its innovation and performance is the patented elastomer Flex Tip technology of the FTX and MonoFlex bullets. Safe to use in tubular magazines, these bullets feature higher ballistic coefficients and deliver dramatically flatter trajectory for increased down range performance.”

Distance	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lbs)	Trajectory (inches)
Muzzle	2050 fps	3052 ft-lbs	-1.5 in
100 yards	1729 fps	2158 ft-lbs	5.5 in
200 yards	1450 fps	1516 ft-lbs	0
300 yards	1225 fps	1083 ft-lbs	-23.0 in

*Table above was generated using a 24-inch barrel.

Federal Premium Fusion

Features

• An electro-chemically applied copper jacket is fixed to the core for a uniform, high-performing jacket.
• Designed for fantastic accuracy on target.
• Skived, pre-programmed nose for uniform, consistent expansion and more effective wound cavities.
• Maximum weight retention for even greater penetration capabilities.
• Molecularly fused jacket.
• Pressure-formed core.
• Superior energy transfer on game.
• Ballistic coefficient 0.290.
• .Made for medium size game such as whitetail deer

From Federal Premium: “Fusion was the first rifle ammunition specifically built for deer hunting—and it’s still the best, offering the largest expansion and highest weight retention in head-to-head comparisons against the competition. With a molecularly fused jacket and a pressure-formed core, Fusion transfers maximum energy on target.”

Distance	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lbs)	Trajectory (inches)	Wind Drift (inches)
Muzzle	1850 fps	2280 ft-lbs	0.7 in (50 yards)	0.0
100 yards	1612 fps	1731 ft-lbs	0.0	2.3 in
200 yards	1401 fps	1307 ft-lbs	-11.9 in	8.7 in
300 yards	1227 fps	1003 ft-lbs	-41.6 in	20.6 in
400 yards	1099 fps	804 ft-lbs	Unavailable	37.6 in
500 yards	1011 fps	681 ft-lbs	Unavailable	59.3 in

Underwood Ammo Xtreme Hunter

Features

• New production, non-corrosive ammo.
• Nickel-plated brass case for greater visibility and corrosion resistance.
• Lead-free, copper bullet that is compatible with suppressors.
• Designed for superior performance in self-defense applications.
• Bullet has a sectional density (SD) of 0.221337176200737.
• Ballistic coefficient of 0.23 (G1)

From Underwood Ammo: “The Xtreme Hunter (XH) was born from the incredibly popular Xtreme Defender product line. Like the XD, the Xtreme Hunter (XH) ammunition has an optimized nose flute. The difference is that weight and attained velocity have been optimized to achieve maximum penetration depth with a permanent wound cavity (PWC) that is just simply enormous. No expanding hollow point comes close to achieving anywhere near the diameter and volume of wound channel achieved by the Xtreme Hunter. Not only is the PWC over 100% larger than any other expanding bullet, terminal performance is achieved despite being shot through barriers. The solid copper body ensures that thick hide, bone, and any other barrier will have minimal effect on the Permanent Wound Channel.”

Distance	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lbs)	Trajectory (inches)
Muzzle	2275 fps	3736 ft-lbs	-1.50 in
100 yards	1933 fps	2696 ft-lbs	0.0
200 yards	1626 fps	1908 ft-lbs	-7.92 in
300 yards	1364 fps	1343 ft-lbs	-29.13 in
400 yards	1162 fps	975 ft-lbs	-69.16 in
500 yards	1031 fps	768 ft-lbs	-134.92 in

Buffalo Bore Ammunition Magnum

Features

• Magnum power 45-70 rounds.
• Not compatible with original or reproduced Trap Door rifles.
• Higher pressure round for impressive terminal results.
• Significant expansion on impact.
• Fantastic energy transfer on target.
• Has been successfully used on grizzly bears, cape buffalo, and other dangerous game.
• Designed as an optimal hunting round.

From Buffalo Bore: “…the bullet utilized expands to an inch or more in diameter at our velocities, and hence penetration is limited to about two feet in flesh and bone. This is the single most effective hog and black bear load ever devised in 45-70. I don’t use it on animals weighing more than 800 lbs as it won’t give adequate penetration at bad angles for animals larger than 800 lbs. If you’ll limit yourself to broadside (double lung) and CNS hits, this load will work on 2,000 lb animals.”

Distance	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lbs)	Trajectory (inches)
Muzzle	2002 fps	3605 ft-lbs	-1.50 in
100 yards	1741 fps	2727 ft-lbs	0.0
200 yards	1508 fps	2045 ft-lbs	-10.6 in
300 yards	1308 fps	1538 ft-lbs	-35.51 in
400 yards	1152 fps	1193 ft-lbs	-81.36 in
500 yards	1044 fps	980 ft-lbs	-153.41 in

Barnes VOR-TX

Features

• Lead-free, copper bullets.
• Expands into four cutting petals to create a more devastating wound cavity.
• Manufacturer states these bullets typically have 100% weight retention.
• Made for maximum energy transfer on target.
• Designed for hunting game such as feral hogs and whitetail deer.
• Loaded to precise tolerances for best possible performance.
• Proven Triple Shock X (TSX) bullet design.
• Ballistic coefficient 0.163.
• .Sectional density .204

From Barnes: “Loaded with the Barnes Triple-Shock X (TSX) Bullet, this round offers devastating results on varmints. The Barnes TSX bullet is made of 100% copper and contains no lead. When the bullet expands, four razor-sharp cutting petals are created, allowing the bullet to penetrate farther through tough bone and tissue. These bullets usually retain 100% of their original weight. The Triple-Shock X bullet delivers the “three strikes you’re out” rule. Once as it strikes game, two as the bullet begins to open and a third impact when the cavity fully expands to deliver extra shock with maximum transferred energy. Ideal for deer-sized game.”

Distance	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lbs)	Trajectory (inches)
Muzzle	1905 fps	2418 ft-lbs	-1.50 in
100 yards	1489 fps	1477 ft-lbs	0.01 in
200 yards	1177 fps	923 ft-lbs	-14.48 in
300 yards	1000 fps	667 ft-lbs	-54.05
400 yards	897 fps	536 ft-lbs	-128.25 in
500 yards	820 fps	448 ft-lbs	-245.64 in

Winchester Super X

Features

• Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) bullet.
• Designed for maximum penetration.
• Jacket specifically engineered for reliable function, accuracy, and expansion.
• New brass, corrosion resistant.
• Created for use on game such as whitetail deer, bear, and elk.

 

Distance	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lbs)	Trajectory (inches)
Muzzle	1880 fps	2355 ft-lbs	-1.50 in
100 yards	1560 fps	1622 ft-lbs	0.0
200 yards	1295 fps	1117 ft-lbs	-12.96 in
300 yards	1106 fps	814 ft-lbs	-46.77 in
400 yards	990 fps	652 ft-lbs	-108.96 in
500 yards	911 fps	553 ft-lbs	-206.57 in

 

45-70 Government Firearm Manufacturers

Most, but not all, firearms chambered in 45-70 Government are lever-action rifles. There are quite a few lever-action guns on the market from a variety of manufacturers, including:

• Ruger
• Marlin Firearms (owned by Ruger)
• Henry Repeating Arms
• Winchester Repeating Arms
• Uberti
• Taylors and Company
• Rossi

Single-shot rifles:

• Uberti
• Traditions
• CVA
• Pedersoli
• H&R
• Thompson Center

Break-action rifles:

• CVA
• Russian Weapons
• Chiappa
• Thompson Center

 

Barrels for 45-70 Government

• Thompson Center
• Green Mountain
• SSK Firearms

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 45-70 a good deer rifle?

Yes, the 45-70 Government is a great round for deer hunting. It delivers one-shot, ethical kills without excessively damaging meat as long as it’s not an extremely close-range shot.

Is the 45-70 obsolete?

No, the 45-70 is not obsolete. It was designed in 1872 and has been in production ever since, including the fact that it’s gained some of the benefits of advances in technology. 45-70 remains an effective cartridge that’s fun to shoot.

Is there a 45-70 Government handgun?

Yes, Bond Arms makes a derringer chambered in 45-70. In addition, Magnum Research makes the BFR revolver in 45-70.

What is the 45-70 Government bullet diameter?

The 45-70 Government has a bullet diameter of .458 inches.

What was the 45-70 Government’s parent cartridge?

The 45-70 Government doesn’t have a parent cartridge.

Are there 45-70 Government bolt-action rifles?

Although there have been 45-70 Government bolt action rifles in the past, there don’t seem to be any currently in production. There are lever-actions, break-actions, single-shots, and a few handguns.

Is the 45-70 Government good for grizzly bear?

The 45-70 Government is effective on grizzly bears, but if you’re in a situation with a charging grizzly bear you’d be best served by a gun with felt recoil you can control well enough to manage accurate rapid-fire and quick target acquisition.

Is the 45-70 hard to shoot?

Like any guns, the 45-70 takes some practice and getting used to firing. It isn’t hard to shoot, per se, but it does produce noticeable felt recoil.

What is 45-70 Government’s felt recoil?

Felt recoil of the 45-70 Government varies by firearm is around 25 to 30 foot-pounds.

Is 45-70 good for home defense?

The 45-70 can be used for home defense. As with any firearm, the user must be aware of what is around and behind the target and be familiar with the possibility of over-penetration.

What is the effective range of 45-70?

45-70 has an approximate effective range of 150 yards while hunting although it is certainly possible to make ethical shots at longer distances.

What guns shoot 45-70?

The vast majority of guns chambered in 45-70 Government are lever-actions but there are also break-actions, single-shots, revolvers, and at least one derringer.