45-70 Government Ammo

About .45-70 Government Ammo

Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1873 for the Springfield Model 1873 "Trapdoor" rifle, .45-70 Government originally fired a 405-grain lead bullet over 70 grains of black powder — which is where the "45-70" designation comes from. It served as the primary U.S. military rifle cartridge through the Indian Wars era and saw action at the Battle of Little Bighorn and numerous other frontier engagements. When smokeless powder and smaller-bore cartridges replaced it in military service by the 1890s, .45-70 Government transitioned seamlessly into the civilian hunting market — where it has remained continuously in production ever since.

Modern .45-70 Government factory loads vary dramatically depending on the intended firearm. Standard-pressure loads are designed for vintage single-shot Trapdoor Springfield actions. Mid-range loads are suitable for lever-action rifles like the Marlin 1895. Full-power loads from Buffalo Bore, Garrett, and Grizzly are intended only for strong modern actions like the Marlin 1895 Guide Gun and Ruger No. 1, and should never be fired in older or weaker actions. At full power, .45-70 Government pushes a 300–400gr bullet to 1,800–2,100 fps, generating over 2,500 ft-lbs of muzzle energy — making it one of the most powerful lever-action cartridges available.

What Is .45-70 Government Best For?

• Deer and hog hunting in heavy cover: A 300–325gr flat-nose or hollow point load at lever-action velocities is devastatingly effective on whitetail deer, feral hogs, and black bear inside 200 yards. The large-diameter, heavy bullet creates a massive wound channel and outstanding terminal performance at close to moderate ranges.
• Bear defense and dangerous game: Full-power .45-70 Government loads from Buffalo Bore and Garrett are among the most effective bear defense cartridges available in a lever-action platform. A 400gr hard-cast flat-nose bullet at 1,900+ fps penetrates deeply enough to reach vitals on a charging brown bear or grizzly.
• Cowboy action shooting and historical reenactment: Standard-pressure lead loads replicate the original black powder ballistics and are appropriate for Trapdoor Springfield rifles and cowboy action competition.
• Alaska and backcountry carry: The Marlin 1895 Guide Gun chambered in .45-70 is a classic Alaska brush gun. Compact, fast-handling, and capable of stopping dangerous game at close range, it remains a trusted companion for guides and hunters in bear country.

Bullet Types Available

• Flat-Nose Soft Point (300–405gr): The standard hunting load for deer, hogs, and bear. Flat-nose profile is required for safe use in tubular magazines. Hornady LEVERevolution with a flexible FTX tip is the exception — its compressible tip makes it safe in tube magazines while delivering higher BC than traditional flat-nose loads.
• Hard Cast Flat Nose (350–430gr): Maximum penetration loads for dangerous game and bear defense. Buffalo Bore and Garrett produce hard-cast loads that penetrate deeply enough for reliable performance on the largest North American game from any angle.
• Hollow Point (250–325gr): Faster expansion for deer and hog hunting where deep penetration is less critical. Effective inside 150 yards on deer-sized game.
• Lead Round Nose / Cowboy Loads (405gr): Standard-pressure loads appropriate for Trapdoor Springfield and other vintage single-shot actions. Designed to replicate original black powder ballistics at safe modern pressure levels.
• Hornady LEVERevolution (325gr FTX): A purpose-built lever-action load with a compressible polymer tip that is safe in tubular magazines. Delivers meaningfully higher BC and flatter trajectory than traditional flat-nose .45-70 loads — extending effective range to 250+ yards.

Rifles Chambered in .45-70 Government

The most common modern platforms include the Marlin 1895 and 1895 Guide Gun, Henry Original and Steel .45-70, Winchester Model 1886 (original and reproductions), Ruger No. 1 single-shot, and Pedersoli and Uberti Trapdoor Springfield reproductions. The Marlin 1895 in its various configurations is by far the most popular modern .45-70 platform and the one most factory ammunition is optimized for. It is critical to match ammunition pressure level to your specific firearm — never fire full-power Buffalo Bore or Garrett loads in a Trapdoor Springfield or other vintage single-shot action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the effective range of .45-70 Government for deer hunting?

With standard flat-nose loads, .45-70 Government is most effective on deer inside 150–200 yards due to its relatively high trajectory arc. The Hornady LEVERevolution 325gr FTX extends practical range to approximately 250 yards with its higher-BC compressible tip. For timber and brush hunting where shots are typically inside 100 yards, .45-70 Government is an outstanding choice — its large, heavy bullet resists brush deflection far better than lighter high-velocity rounds.

Can I shoot any .45-70 ammo in my Trapdoor Springfield?

No — this is one of the most critical safety considerations for .45-70 Government. Trapdoor Springfield actions are vintage single-shot designs rated only for standard-pressure loads equivalent to original black powder ballistics. Modern lever-action and full-power loads from Buffalo Bore, Garrett, and Grizzly operate at pressures that can seriously damage or destroy a Trapdoor action. Only use loads specifically labeled as Trapdoor-safe — typically those producing around 1,200–1,350 fps with a 405gr bullet.

Is .45-70 Government good for bear defense?

Yes — full-power hard-cast loads from Buffalo Bore and Garrett are among the most effective bear defense cartridges available in a lever-action platform. A 400gr hard-cast flat-nose bullet at 1,900+ fps penetrates deeply enough to reach vitals on a charging brown bear or grizzly from a frontal angle. For bear defense, always use hard-cast or bonded loads — hollow points may not penetrate deeply enough on a large bear from a non-broadside angle.

What is the difference between .45-70 and .45-90?

.45-70 and .45-90 are both .45-caliber black powder era cartridges but have different case lengths and are not interchangeable. The designation describes caliber and powder charge — .45-70 uses 70 grains of black powder, .45-90 uses 90 grains in a longer case. .45-90 was primarily used in single-shot buffalo hunting rifles like the Sharps and Remington Rolling Block. Modern .45-90 ammunition is available but far less common than .45-70.

How much does .45-70 Government ammo cost per round?

Expect to pay roughly $1.25–$1.75/rd for standard soft point and flat-nose hunting loads and $2.00–$3.50+/rd for premium hard-cast bear defense loads from Buffalo Bore, Garrett, or Grizzly. As a lower-volume specialty cartridge with large cases and heavy projectiles, .45-70 Government runs at a higher per-round cost than mainstream rifle calibers. Buying in bulk is the best way to reduce your cost.