.45-70 Government Ammo: History, Types & Performance
History of the .45-70 Government Cartridge
The .45-70 Government cartridge was developed by the U.S. Army’s Springfield Armory in 1873 as a replacement for the .50-70 Government. It was originally designed for use in the Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Rifle, which became the standard U.S. military service rifle for nearly two decades.
Development & Military Use
The designation .45-70-405 referred to its .45 caliber, 70 grains of black powder, and a 405-grain lead bullet.
This cartridge was widely used in the Indian Wars and was favored for its accuracy, power, and effectiveness against mounted and fortified opponents.
Later, the U.S. military experimented with a 500-grain bullet, improving long-range performance.
By the late 1890s, advancements in smokeless powder cartridges led to the .45-70 being phased out in favor of the .30-40 Krag and eventually the .30-06 Springfield. However, it remained in military use with the Gatling gun and some naval applications into the early 20th century.
Following its military retirement, the .45-70 became hugely popular among hunters, sports shooters, and ranchers.
Ammunition manufacturers introduced modern smokeless powder loads, extending its effectiveness.
Today, the .45-70 is widely used in lever-action rifles (e.g., Marlin 1895, Henry) and single-shot rifles (e.g., Ruger No. 1, Sharps reproductions).
Thanks to its stopping power and deep penetration, the .45-70 is one of the most powerful straight-walled cartridges still in production, making it ideal for hunting large and dangerous game.
Bullet Weight and Performance
The .45-70 Government is known for its heavy bullet weight, which contributes to its deep penetration and knockdown power.
Standard Bullet Weights: 250–500 grains
Velocity Range: 1,300–2,000+ fps, depending on load
Energy Output: Up to 3,000+ ft-lbs in high-performance loads
Trajectory Considerations
While modern flex-tip rounds (e.g., Hornady LEVERevolution®) improve ballistics, the .45-70 still has a relatively steep bullet drop compared to modern high-velocity cartridges. Proper range estimation and scope adjustment are essential for long-distance shots.
Hunting & Defense Loads
Hollow Point (HP)
Expands on impact, transferring maximum energy to the target.
Ideal for hunting medium to large game.
Hard-Cast Lead (HC)
Designed for deep penetration, making it highly effective against big game and dangerous animals.
Commonly used for bear defense and hunting thick-skinned animals.
Lever-Action & Performance Loads
Hornady LEVERevolution
Uses a flex-tip bullet to improve velocity, accuracy, and range.
Safe for tubular magazines in lever-action rifles.
Flat-Nose (FN)
Provides deep penetration and a large wound channel upon impact.
Ideal for lever-action rifles and big game hunting.
Target & General Use Loads
Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
Primarily used for target shooting and range practice.
Less common due to the .45-70’s focus on hunting applications.
Traditional Lead Flat-Nose (LFN)
A classic cowboy-action load popular for historical firearms and competitive shooting.
Specialty Ammo Options
Hollow Point Bullets
Designed to expand upon impact, maximizing stopping power.
Used for hunting and self-defense scenarios.
Flat-Nosed Rounds
Do not tumble on impact but create a wide wound channel due to their blunt shape.
Effective for hunting large game that requires deep penetration.
Hand-Loaded Rounds
Custom loads allow shooters to tailor performance for precision shooting or hunting.
Some loads are optimized for historical firearms or modern high-pressure performance.
Hand Loading and Reloading
Reloading .45-70 ammo offers shooters cost savings and performance customization. The key components required include:
.45-70 Gov’t Case
Lead Bullet (typically 300–500 grains)
Rifle Powder (amount varies by bullet weight and pressure requirements)
Large Rifle Primer
Typical Load Data for Standard vs. High-Performance .45-70 Rounds
Bullet Weight (grains)
Powder Charge (grains)
Velocity (fps)
Energy (ft-lbs)
405 gr (Trapdoor Load)
27-40 gr (Black Powder)
1,300-1,400
1,600-1,800
300 gr (Lever-Action)
45-55 gr (Smokeless)
1,800-2,100
2,200-2,900
500 gr (High Power)
50-60 gr (Smokeless)
1,500-1,900
2,500-3,500
Note: Older firearms, such as original Trapdoor Springfield rifles, should only use low-pressure "Trapdoor-safe" loads. Modern high-power loads should be used only in Marlin 1895, Ruger No. 1, or equivalent firearms rated for higher pressures.
Choosing the Right Ammo
Firearm Compatibility:
Trapdoor Springfield – Low-pressure loads only
Marlin 1895 / Henry – Medium-pressure loads
Ruger No. 1 / Modern Single-Shot Rifles – High-pressure loads
Intended Use:
Hunting – Hard-cast lead, hollow point, or flex-tip bullets
Target Shooting – FMJ or traditional lead bullets
Bear Defense – Hard-cast bullets for deep penetration
Local Regulations: Some states have restrictions on certain types of hunting ammunition. Always check local and state laws before purchasing.
Shop .45-70 Government Ammo at Pro Armory
When you buy .45-70 Govt ammo online from Pro Armory, you get:
Top Brands & Bulk Options – Hornady, Federal, Buffalo Bore, Winchester & more.
Competitive Prices – Affordable deals on premium hunting and target ammo.
Fast, Secure Shipping – Get your order quickly with discreet packaging.
The two most common types of 45-70 ammo are full metal jacket or (FMJ) and Jacketed Hollow Points or JHP.
Full Metal Jacket (FMJ): A FMJ bullet has a metal jacket that covers the lead core and unlike a hollow point bullet, FMJ is not designed to expand upon impact.
FMJ rounds are typically used for range training or target practice.
Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP): A JHP bullet generates more force and does expand on impact. Jacketed Hollow Points are intended for self-defense use because of the increased expansion and penetration upon impact.
There are also several other types of 45-70 Gov’t ammo, including:
Lead Round Nose (LRN): A LRN bullet has a lead core and a rounded nose and is cheaper than full metal jacket or JHP rounds. The reason most shooters choose a lead round nose is because it's cheaper than FMJ.
