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45-70 GOVERNMENT AMMO

.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.

The Best .45-70 Government Ammo We Have for Sale:

The .45-70 in Civilian Use

  • 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.


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ProArmory Experts Choice For 

The Best .45-70 Government Ammo We Have for Sale:

Our experts at ProArmory recommend these top-performing .45-70 Government rounds:

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.

 

Some ranges do not allow lead ammo.

 

 

 

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