.45-70 Government
The .45-70 is the 1873 buffalo cartridge living its best modern life - massive 300-405 grain bullets from fast lever guns, the timber-and-bear thumper reborn.
The .45-70 Government predates smokeless powder, and modern lever guns have made it new again: 300-405 grain bullets the diameter of a thumb, at velocities today's strong actions push far beyond the original spec, in fast-handling rifles that guides across bear country openly favor. Inside 150 yards, very little walking this continent argues with it.
What it is
America's 1873 service cartridge turned big-bore lever classic - and a THREE-TIER loading world: mild 'trapdoor-safe' loads, standard lever loads, and hot 'Ruger-class' loads. Match ammunition to YOUR rifle's rating - this genuinely matters for safety.
What it hunts best
Black bear, moose, elk and deer in timber, hogs of any attitude, and backup duty in brown-bear country - the woods heavyweight division.
Trajectory & energy
A rainbow past 150: zeroed at 100, a 325gr FTX is ~12" low at 200 - range discipline is the deal. Energy from ~1,600 (mild) to 3,500+ ft-lb (hot loads) by tier.
Recoil & shootability
From pleasant (trapdoor loads) to ferocious (hot loads in light carbines) - the load, not the headstamp, sets the experience. Lever handling speed is the platform's enduring gift.
Rifles & ammo on the shelf
Marlin, Henry, Ruger and others in current production; ammo across all three tiers widely available.
.45-70 Ballistics Chart by Bullet Weight
Two Hornady .45-70 loads from 250 to 325 grains, all from a 24-inch test barrel.
| Load | Muzzle | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 325 gr FTX (LEVERevolution) - velocity (fps) | 2000 | 1685 | 1413 | 1197 |
| 325 gr FTX (LEVERevolution) - energy (ft-lb) | 2886 | 2049 | 1441 | 1035 |
| 325 gr FTX (LEVERevolution) - trajectory (in) | -1.5 | +5.5 | 0 | -23 |
| 250 gr MonoFlex (LEVERevolution) - velocity (fps) | 2025 | 1616 | 1285 | 1068 |
| 250 gr MonoFlex (LEVERevolution) - energy (ft-lb) | 2276 | 1449 | 917 | 634 |
| 250 gr MonoFlex (LEVERevolution) - trajectory (in) | -1.5 | +6.1 | 0 | -27.2 |
Loads: 325 gr FTX LEVERevolution, 250 gr MonoFlex LEVERevolution. Numbers from Hornady's published table for each load (links), 200-yard zero; trajectory is inches above (+) or below (-) the line of sight. Read on 26 October 2026; your rifle and barrel will differ.
Bottom line
The most fun serious cartridge in the woods - honest thump, historic soul, modern capability. Read the ammo box against your rifle's manual, and stay inside its rainbow.
Caliber legality varies: many states set minimum calibers, straight-wall rules, or season-specific restrictions for big game, and they change. Always confirm the current regulations for your state, species and season with the official wildlife agency - this page is general guidance, not legal advice. Ballistics figures are typical factory-load approximations; your rifle and load will differ - verify at the range.
Range-day gear, whatever the cartridge
A cartridge only performs as well as the zero and the practice behind it. These are the tools for that part.
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