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Rifle · Obsolete / Non-standard

.45-70 Government

.45-7011.6x53mmR

Classic American big-bore cartridge.

Caliber
0.458″ · 11.633 mm
Introduced
1873
Case
Rimmed
Parent
.50-70 Government
Primary use
Hunting, Target
Status
Active
Velocity1,330–2,100 fps
Energy1,600–3,000 ft·lb
Typical grains300 · 350 · 405 gr
Identity
Introduced
1873
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
US Army
Manufacturer
U.S. Military / Springfield Armory
Standard
Obsolete / Non-standard
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
75 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:20
Primer
Large Rifle
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Max pressure
28,000 psi
Eff. range
200 yd
Recoil
25–70 ft·lb
Subsonic
Capable

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd
100 yd · zero0″−79″79″ drop @ 500 yd0250500Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
By real loads
1,330–2,050 fps · 389 loads
Parent case
.50-70 Government

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Performance

Best for HuntingBuffalo Bore JHP300 gr · JHP · 2,350 fpsBuy now →
Best for DefenseWinchester Defender Bonded SP300 gr · Bonded SP · 1,900 fpsBuy now →
Best for TargetSIG Sauer Match Elite325 gr · OTM BTHP · 2,050 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open .45-70 Government ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

SAAMI · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀11.630.458✓
Neck ⌀12.220.481✓
Shoulder ⌀n/a
Shoulder anglen/a
Base ⌀12.800.504✓
Rim ⌀15.440.608✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.780.070✓
Neck lengthn/a
Case length53.472.105✓
Overall length64.772.550✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .45-70 Government is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 389 active loads across 39 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 401 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
Buffalo BoreJHP300JHP2,3503,678—
DoubleTapWFN Hard Cast405Wide Flat Nose2,1504,156—
NoslerTrophy Grade Partition350Partition2,1003,427—
HornadyOutfitter CX325CX Solid Copper2,0503,032—
Buffalo BoreJHP350JHP2,0503,265—
HornadyAmerican Whitetail Interlock FP325Interlock FP2,0503,032—
HornadyCustom Interlock FP325Interlock FP2,0503,032—
HornadyFTX LEVERevolution325FTX Polymer Tip2,0503,032—
HornadyLEVERevolution FTX325FTX2,0503,032—
SIG SauerMatch Elite325OTM BTHP2,0503,032—
HornadyInterLock325FTX2,0503,032—
RemingtonCore-Lokt325PSP2,0503,032—
RemingtonCore-Lokt Tipped325CLT2,0503,032—
RemingtonPremier Match325BTHP2,0503,032—
RemingtonSubsonic325OTM2,0503,032—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

5 reloading powders listed for .45-70 Government, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

Trail BossIMR SR-4759IMR 4198Leverevolution5744
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .45-70 Government

12 models in the database chamber .45-70 Government. Browse all →

Marlin Marlin Model 1895 Dark .45-70 GovtMarlin Marlin Model 1895 Trapper .45-70 GovtMarlin Marlin Model 1895 GBL .45-70 GovtMarlin 1895 OutfitterMarlin Firearms Model 1895 Dark .45-70 Govt 16.5-inchRuger 1895 TrapperMarlin Marlin Model 1895 SBL .45-70 GovtMarlin Firearms 1895 STP .45-70 Govt 18.5-inchRuger/Marlin Marlin 1895 .45-70 Govt 22-inchMarlin 1895 Trapper 45-70Marlin Firearms Model 1895 Classic .45-70Ruger/Marlin Marlin 1895 Trapper .45-70 Govt 16.5-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent
Root — no documented parent
Direct descendants (5 · 6 total)
.45-90 Sharps.475 Linebaugh.40-65 Winchester.33 Winchester
Family TreeOpen .45-70 Government in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads401 factory loads for .45-70 Government↗Reloading5 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .45-70 Government↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Adopted by US Army in 1873 for Springfield Trapdoor rifle. Used in Indian Wars and Little Bighorn. Buffalo hunters loved it. Transitioned to smokeless powder. Still popular 150+ years later.

FAQs

What twist rate does .45-70 Government use?
.45-70 Government typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .45-70 Government?
.45-70 Government uses a 0.458″ (11.633 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .45-70 Government still in production?
.45-70 Government is active; typical availability is common.
What is .45-70 Government used for?
.45-70 Government is primarily used for hunting, target.
What is .45-70 Government based on?
.45-70 Government is derived from the .50-70 Government case.
What are the best powders for .45-70 Government?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .45-70 Government include Trail Boss, IMR SR-4759, IMR 4198, Leverevolution, among 5 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 389 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →