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Lindcott Armory

Rifle · Obsolete / Non-standard

.45-70 Government

Also known as .45-70 · 11.6x53mmR

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

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VelocityBeing verified
EnergyBeing verified
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

Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .45-70 Government. Parent case: .50-70 Government.

Performance

Best for Withheld until verified
Best for Withheld until verified
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 angle n/a
Base ⌀ 12.800.504 ✓
Rim ⌀ 15.440.608 ✓
Belt ⌀ n/a
Rim thickness 1.780.070 ✓
Neck length n/a
Case length 53.472.105 ✓
Overall length 64.772.550 ✓

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

Verification

Being verified

Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.

Suitable powders

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

Trail BossIMR SR-4759IMR 4198N120N5305744LeverevolutionN130Vihtavuori N133
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 →

Ruger 1895 TrapperRuger 1895 DarkMarlin 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 SBL .45-70 Govt 18.5-inchMarlin Firearms Model 1895 CBA .45-70 Govt 18.5-inchMarlin Firearms Model 1895 Dark .45-70 Govt 16.5-inchRuger 1895 ClassicRuger 1895 SBLHenry Repeating Arms Big Boy X Model .45-70 Govt 17.4-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent
.50-70 Government
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

Loads102 factory loads for .45-70 GovernmentReloading9 suitable powders — cross-referenceFirearmsFirearms in .45-70 Government

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, N120, among 9 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 90 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →